01. Health Benefits
As well-functioning social animals, human beings need interaction. With all the many studies carried out in the past two covid years, there has been compelling evidence to suggest that human contact is not only vital for our mental health, but there are now also correlations with our physical health too. Sociology researchers have cited evidence linking a low quality of social ties with a host of conditions, including the development and worsening of cardiovascular disease, repeat heart attacks, autoimmune disorders, high blood pressure and even cancer. We may not even realise it, but just saying hello to a receptionist in the morning or a two-minute chat with a co-worker while making a coffee could be benefiting your health far more than you know.
02. Community
You’ve got a great idea and you want to share it. You’ve bagged a big contract and you want to celebrate it. You’re having a bad day and you need to talk about it.
On days like these, belonging to a community feels good. Knowing that there are like-minded people around you that you can ask for help, have a rant or share excitement with is important and a healthy way to live with the ups and downs of business. Plus, there may be people in your workspace that you find you totally ‘click’ with. I know I’ve met some of my best friends in the workplace, so potentially you could be missing out on opportunities of life- long friendships if you’re not in an environment to meet new people.
03. Motivation
Co-working hubs are a hive of activity and a positive environment for those of us that may be having a bit of a ‘meh’ week. There’s nothing quite like surrounding yourself with fresh, innovative businesses, all working hard and busying around their day to give you the proverbial kick up the arse that you need!
We feed off others energy and that’s one of the main drivers as to why so many people choose co/hybrid working over a setup of working from home full-time.
04. A more professional environment for your business, your team and your clients
Being proud of where you work is important. Hosting a meeting with a client or a potential new employee in a café or from your home office isn’t always ideal. A more private space as and when you need it (without the added cost of room hire) could be hugely beneficial to your business and gives a much better first impression for that meeting. Most serviced office and co-working packages include meeting room space at no extra cost, bookable through your centre manager.
05. Breaking the monotony of every day at home
Get up. Make a brew. Laptop open and work till lunch. Walk at lunchtime to break the day up. Put the washing on. Work till 5pm. Close the laptop. Make dinner. Go to sleep. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat…
Don’t get me wrong, occasionally I love WFH too, and for some, this absolutely works for them five days a week, every week. It’s relaxed, you can earn your living and keep up with the household admin, all from the comfort of your slippers and trackie b’s.
For others, this can be a slippery slope to professional isolation. Depression sets in and before you know it, you can find yourself well and truly stuck in a rut. If it doesn’t work for you every day of the week, co-working can be that affordable and achievable hybrid conduit.
06. Inspiration
“Surround yourself with people who are only going to lift you higher.”
Mic drop from Oprah. Enough said.
07. Networking and collaboration opportunities
You just never know who you’re going to meet, what opportunities may come your way and what you might learn. Have you ever begrudgingly turned up to an 8am breakfast networking event on a wet and windy morning only to have a pleasantly unexpected conversation with what turns out to be a brilliant new client? If you don’t put yourself out there, you’ll miss those opportunities or worse, your competitor will get there before you! Co-working spaces are more than just somewhere to work. Most venues offer weekly socials and collaboration events with local business organisations. The more you get involved, the more opportunities you’ll have. They’re also a safe, familiar space for more junior members of your team to begin networking and broaden their social circles.
08. Creates boundaries for your work and personal life
I could never get my head around the two hour commute my brother-in-law would do into the city for his job in banking and, living in the Southwest, we’re a bit spoilt that this would never have to be a reality for most of us. The thought of getting a train and two tubes at the beginning and end of every day is less than appealing, so for inner-city workers, the WFH/ hybrid movement is a big win.
Saying that, I think there’s something to be said in a short journey to work. Listening to some music or a podcast in the car, breathing in fresh air, walking into your place of work and exchanging a hello with colleagues. It sets you up for the day.
Likewise, there’s something about packing away your laptop bag and making the journey home that tells your brain, ‘It’s personal time now’.
Having these physical boundaries helps to keep work life at work and home time at home.
09. Keeping in the loop about local business and your area
‘Have you heard about that new business? Are you coming to that event on Friday? Have you met so and so yet?’ A co-working space isn’t just great networking, it’s a way to keep up to date with what’s happening in business and your area. Co-working centre managers also work on your behalf to ensure you are as well informed and well connected as possible. They do so via presentations, member newsletters, memos and other centre communication routes. To be in the know, you have to be in the mix.
10. It’s fun!
We’ve established that a co-working hub is a great place for productivity, energy and motivation. The layout and ergonomics of a centre like BLOCK are designed to offer members spaces to work when you really need to get your head down and focus, but a good co-working space, also encourages time to be social. At BLOCK, we’ve included spaces where members can get together to relax and even play games like shuffleboard (if you haven’t played yet – it ’s such good fun). These spaces are important for team building, informal 1-1’s or when you just need to step away from your screen for 5 minutes.
After all, what’s the point in working hard, growing your business and making profit if you can’t enjoy the process. In the words of Mark Manson (and Miley Cyrus), ‘It’s the climb’.