The modern office takes so many forms, and one of the most popular ones is the co-working space. Small enterprises, entrepreneurs, and freelancers alike are embracing the co-working space phenomenon, mainly due to its ability to provide a cost-efficient workplace with the added benefits of collaboration and networking opportunities.
However, co-working spaces can also host a lot of distractions. It’s basically an office with a diverse set of people who are trying to collaborate with each other and form professional relationships. As a result, there tends to be a lot of noise, a lot of people trying to talk to you, and generally a constant buzz of energy that can either be distracting or beneficial to you.
All things considered, the distractions outweigh the benefits of co-working spaces. To keep yourself productive, however, you may have to put in a bit more effort by:
1. Wearing noise-canceling headphones
Noise-canceling headphones are a saving grace for people working in a bustling environment. Invest in a pair that can block out all background noise and give you more headspace to focus on your work. Aside from blocking out noise and providing quality sound, wearing headphones in a shared office is an easy way to announce that you are not available to talk.
2. Practicing self-discipline
Yes, there are a lot of distractions in a co-working space. But at the end of the day, it’s you who has to finish all your goals despite people chattering in the background or constantly offering you coffee.
Self-discipline is the key to staying productive wherever you may be. Try keeping a to-do list to lay down all your goals for the day. Then, finish everything that you have listed down, and don’t let yourself slack off until they are done. Not only are you honing your self-discipline, but you’re also making yourself more efficient, and thus giving yourself more time for personal stuff.
3. Taking regular breaks
Your motivation, productivity, and the quality of your work may all decrease when you don’t give yourself enough time to rest. Avoid this by taking regular breaks (an hour for lunch and two fifteen-minute breaks in the morning and afternoon) and actually stepping away from your workplace when you take them. Grab a coffee, chat with a colleague, or take a walk around the block. Whatever you do, the goal is to give your brain a break from the mental treadmill.
It’s also important to take short breaks to rest your eyes or stretch your legs every hour or so. Doing this will help reduce eye strain and posture-related body pain, which will help keep your productivity levels up throughout the day.
4. Engaging with others the right way
One of the best benefits of working in a co-working space is being able to engage with others, which can help you expand your network and collaborate with other professionals. However, ensure that the engagement is productive and beneficial to yourself or to your company. Otherwise, you are just wasting your and the other person’s time.
Choose the right time and place to make friends. When people are working, don’t engage them in a non-productive conversation just to procrastinate. That’s a basic rule in co-working space etiquette. Instead, try to make friends when you are in break rooms or lounge areas wherein people are not engaged with work.
5. Keeping your workspace clean and organized
No one wants to work at a desk with stacks of unorganized files and yesterday’s takeout containers chilling next to the keyboard. Aside from being gross, it’s bad co-working space etiquette to leave your workspace dirty and unorganized because hey, you’re not the only one that can see it.
Keeping your workspace clean and tidy boosts your motivation and, in turn, does the same to your productivity. So even if it is tempting to just go home and leave your desk messy, think about how much of a hassle it will be for future you to clean.
6. Maximizing the amenities
Many co-working spaces come with certain amenities like conference rooms, printing, nap rooms, and snacks and drinks. Since you paid for these amenities, don’t forget to maximize them when the need arises. All of these can help you stay productive by making work easier, letting yourself rest, and fueling your body with food and drinks.
Conclusion
A social place like a co-working space is bound to have many distractions. But even if yours doesn’t, working somewhere without the traditional office structure can lead you to slack off. Either way, take these tips to heart in order to stay productive — and happy — at work.