Co-working

[Dien Rice]

Hi Sowpubbers!

I've been working from home for... well over a decade now. I've gotten a couple different shorter-term jobs during that time (I was a university lecturer for a year, and had an adventure working in South Korea for a few months, too, several years back)... But, 90% of the time the last 14 years I've been working from home.

However, I'm trying something new... Co-working!

That's where you can rent space at a desk or table, as part of an "office" - along with others who are also doing their own thing.

(I've considered renting an office before, but I like having people around me, rather than being all by myself in my own office... I've had that experience already...)

I just signed up as a member of a co-working office not too far from me, we'll see how it goes... (I've been thinking about doing this for the last year or two, but this is the first time a co-working office has appeared close enough to where I live...)

I think working outside of home, in that environment, my productivity will probably improve compared to working from home...

Anyone had any experience like this? Or had experience working in your own office outside of home, vs. working at home?

- Dien

[Ankesh]

Thanks Dien for talking about co-working.

A few years back, instead of opening my own offices, I had rented space for my team at another bigger office who had a few spare desks. So not co-working as such, but kind of similar.

My take away:

You want to co-work at a place that gives you personal cabins. Sharing desks can get too loud and distracting. Especially if the other person's job requires a lot of calling.

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Ankesh

Thanks Dien for talking about co-working.

A few years back, instead of opening my own offices, I had rented space for my team at another bigger office who had a few spare desks. So not co-working as such, but kind of similar.

My take away:

You want to co-work at a place that gives you personal cabins. Sharing desks can get too loud and distracting. Especially if the other person's job requires a lot of calling.

Hi Ankesh,

Thank you for sharing your experience!

I had a good time working at a co-working space yesterday. I'm at a different one today (this one is much further from where I live). The "character" of the two places are incredibly different!

(For example, a couple people are playing ping pong in a corner of the room in the background right now as I write... There was no ping pong yesterday... )

I'll write down a few more details a little later... It will be interesting to compare our experiences!

Best wishes,

Dien

[Dien Rice]

Here's a quick further update on my coworking experiences...

I cowork in two different places, on a semi-regular basis now. They are quite different from each other.

One place is much more "formal"... Many of the people there are actually involved in biotechnology. (My body has biological functions, so I figure I qualify!) It's a good place to work. It's not too noisy, either. Good internet.

There are various levels of membership... I have the "drop in" membership. I simply pay only when I "drop in" and use the facility, which gets me a place at a big table, where I work on my laptop. (With higher levels of membership, you can also get your own lockable desk, and have 24/7 access.)

The other coworking place I work at is quite different. The people there are more "I.T." focused - building apps and so on. But not all... For example, one lady I met who sometimes works there has her own events management business. Again, I just use the "drop in" option, and pay when I "drop in."

One of the great things about coworking is - you meet people, also running their own little businesses. Sometimes, working for yourself can be a lonely road, a long lonesome highway - even though a LOT of people work for themselves nowadays. These people never meet, because everyone's stuck at home. Yet, through these kinds of coworking facilities, you can meet like-minded individuals on a similar journey to you. They can also lead to potential opportunities...

It's a great innovation, and they seem to be springing up everywhere...

Best wishes,

Dien

I have tried co-working but I rather quickly found out that I did not feel comfortable having some so close to me. Perhaps I am just not the most social butterfly, but I found that I am constantly distracted and cannot feel comfortable with someone as close to me as my co-working partner was.

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by Juan L. Agnew

I have tried co-working but I rather quickly found out that I did not feel comfortable having some so close to me. Perhaps I am just not the most social butterfly, but I found that I am constantly distracted and cannot feel comfortable with someone as close to me as my co-working partner was.

Hi Juan,

Everyone is different... I find there's a "medium ground" where I work best. Not TOO busy and noisy so it is distracting. Not people I know too well (otherwise, we might start talking and socializing)... And not TOO quiet, either (otherwise, somehow I get bored)...

I think, with me, there is a bit of a "monkey see, monkey do" effect, too. I see people work, and I want to work! (That's right, in this example, I'm the monkey!)

Best wishes,

Dien