One indicator you’re satisfied with your job is that you’re able to find meaning in what you do. Doubtless, finding meaning in your work is necessary for having a fulfilled and happy life in general. However, once you’re hired into a certain role in a company, it’s easy to disregard feelings of demotivation and disenchantment with what you do.
In short, if you perform your work routinely, you’ll gradually lose passion.
One way for employees to reignite the fire of motivation is to have a challenging and intriguing work environment. This kind of environment doesn’t necessarily refer to something exciting, but it’s more about the people with whom you’re surrounded. Hence, your coworkers must be engaging. But as an employee or even an employer, how can you stay engaged in the workplace?
Features of a Productive Co-working Space
According to a survey, 89% of respondents are happy when they work in a shared working space. You might be wondering what’s in a coworking space that makes people happier and more likely to find their work satisfying. Thankfully, this article will present some key features that ensure a productive coworking space.
So if you’re looking for a Toronto coworking space, or wherever you are in the world, and you want to be productive in what you do, make sure that the space has these following features:
1. Good Layout
First of all, a good layout means anyone working in a coworking space can be more productive. As a start, a good design can mean a blended layout. This setup means there are spaces for private offices, group meetings, or even a space where workers can share their meals together. In this case, workers won’t be too focused on working, per se.
Additionally, a good layout can also refer to a well-designed space that’s comfortable to work in.
Moreover, don’t neglect the importance of a space where people can have privacy to make private or work phone calls. If there’s no place to make a personal call, especially since the room is too uncomfortable or full of distractions, it’s a sign of an unhappy workplace. And when you’re unhappy, you’ll be less productive or engaged in your work.
When looking for a coworking space, make sure there’s a space where people can interact. But the area shouldn’t be too focused on interaction. There should still be a place where people can perform their duties privately.
2. Should Match Your Flexible Schedule
Since you’re looking for a coworking space, it’s safe to assume that your work schedule is flexible. Hence, one critical feature you must look for in a coworking space is its room for your flexibility. A survey shows that 43% of respondents show that their work flexibility is one major contributor to their productivity.
Furthermore, 30% of participants say that the less time they commute to work allows them to be productive.
With that said, if you want to be productive in your work, ask yourself when is the time of the day you’re most productive. Find a coworking space that is open during the morning. On the other hand, if you don’t want to be stuck in the morning rush hour and start your day in the afternoon, make sure that the working space will cater to your schedule.
Most importantly, if you’re the type who wants to stagger their working hours––a few hours in the morning and resume working in the afternoon––again, ensure that the coworking space is still capable of offering your productive hours.
3. Must Have Some Green
At first glance, plants might seem to serve as a decorative design exclusively, perfect for your social media photos. But green can actually impact your productivity levels. In fact, having plenty of greenery around the coworking space will help produce clean air, motivating employees. Additionally, plants have been scientifically shown to reduce stress and increase creativity and productivity.
Thus, when looking for a coworking space, make sure that the interior isn’t only plain white. Others might see this as a minimalist design. However, too much minimalism can be dull and boring, reducing or eliminating one’s creativity. Instead, make sure that the space also has some splash of green or indoor plants.
4. Must Have Some Green
There’s nothing more demotivating than working for a couple of hours only to find out that you’ve run out of office supplies. This is especially true if you have to go to another place to buy missing supplies then go back to your workspace. This scenario isn’t only time-consuming, but it can impact your overall mood and interrupt your working hours, affecting your productivity levels.
If you want to avoid this particular hassle, make sure that the coworking space has plenty of office materials to spare. This way, you don’t have to go out of your way to buy some yourself. In addition to office supplies, make sure that the space also has some scanning and shredding equipment. Internet connection is a must-have in today’s digital workspace. As such, you’ll also need to find a coworking space that has reliable Wi-Fi.
Better yet, make sure you find one with multiple access points and backup connections so you don’t suffer from a slow connection due to network congestion.
5. Upgraded Amenities
Speaking of office materials, a good coworking space should also have state-of-the-art amenities. Take note that these amenities shouldn’t only be limited to work equipment. It should also have a well-equipped pantry, which is a nice place to start.
Similar to how the kitchen is the heart of any home, the kitchen space will also serve as the hub in a coworking space. Before committing to a particular work area, ensure that the kitchen has some up-to-date features, like a good coffeemaker, sufficient fridge space, clean pieces of cutlery, and comfortable chairs.
Moreover, a coworking space that screams productivity also possesses some recreational equipment like a pool or ping pong table. This way, workers will have an area where they can relax, which can eliminate any stress they’re feeling for the day. If you want to take a quick nap during your working hours, make sure that the coworking space has a place where you can get a quick nap to recharge in the middle of a workday.
Some exercise equipment and a comfortable restroom are also good selling points. Of course, you shouldn’t forget about the number of outlets available, as you’ll be bringing your work gadgets, like chargers, laptops, and projectors.
Lastly, since a coworking space is composed of different people across vast industries and companies, some areas are going to be loud. They may engage in some huddles or discuss their upcoming projects. The noise can become distracting, especially when you’re trying to focus. In this case, if you’re easily distracted by noise, make sure that the coworking space has some noise-canceling headphones available. This way, you can block any noise in and around your station.
6. Complimentary Tea, Coffee, and Snacks
Some people find it hard to function if they haven’t had their coffee or tea first thing in the morning. Additionally, tea and coffee enthusiasts will crave their go-to drink any time of the day. If they don’t get a taste of their favorite beverage, it can affect their productivity levels. Thus, make sure that the coworking space you choose has plenty or even an unlimited supply of tea and coffee. This way, you can make sure that your productivity levels are always on top.
Also, if your coworking space supplies your favorite drink, you’ll save money buying from an expensive cafe, which is perfect for startup companies since they’re operating on a limited budget. Lastly, as you’re enjoying your beverage, you can also consider it as your break time, which will help you refocus on your work.
7. Promotes Comfort
Lastly, an important feature that ensures productivity in a coworking space is comfort. When choosing a working space, make sure that they promote freedom in what you wear. Additionally, the working space, like your desk and chair, must be adjustable to suit your liking. Even big companies have already eliminated the need to wear a uniform, as they believe that giving employees freedom in what they wear will also increase their productivity.
Since you’ll be sitting on a chair for a couple of hours, there’s a huge tendency that it can affect your spine in the long run. That’s why you must choose a coworking space with ergonomic chairs and desks, promoting proper posture. In addition to avoiding any, being comfortable in your working space will naturally make you more focused for a longer period without discomfort, allowing you to get many things done in a day.
Final Words
Even if going to a coworking space means an additional expense, you’ll receive a lot of benefits that ensures productivity, allowing you to finish your work much faster. For instance, if you’re working from home, you might not have the luxury of having a good working layout. If you want to achieve this feature, you might have to renovate your entire space, which can be expensive. Also, by going to a coworking space, you get to mingle with other workers from various industries, broadening your connection.
References
- “The Importance of the Social Side of Coworking”, Source: https://www.smallbizlabs.com/2018/01/the-social-side-of-coworking.html
- “Digital Workers Say Flexibility Is Key to Their Productivity”, Source: https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/digital-workers-say-flexibility-is-key-to-their-productivity
- “How to Create a Workspace That Improves Productivity”, Source: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7456-workspace-design-productivity.html
- “9 Tips And Ideas For Coworking Space: A Quick Guide”, Source: https://packagex.io/blog/property-management/9-tips-for-making-your-coworking-space-stand-out-from-the-competition/
- “Can Frequent Breaks Make You More Productive?”, Source: https://www.calendar.com/blog/can-frequent-breaks-make-you-more-productive/
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