Four questions that will help you understand if co-working is your cup of tea

There is a shared belief that coworking spaces cater to the 20-something caffeine-charged dreamers, who do not have enough budget to power their dreams. There was a time when shared office spaces weren't a thing. They were the anomaly in a world of 9-to-5 conformists. People shied away from these shared work areas because they were "distracting," "unproductive” and "limiting." It was the late 2000s when it was somewhat easier to find dedicated office spaces on rent and shared spaces were spotty nooks scattered across the city. People found these places out of need through word of mouth, rather than the web. Social media and co-working had not yet met, and those working at these places were somewhat “outcasts” in the professional world.

Thankfully, that was a long time ago. People can now find the kind of space they need online. There are several types of co-working spaces across the city and the country. There are over 4,000 shared working areas in the US right now, and over 1.18 million people are working from such places across the globe. There might be a strength in numbers, but is coworking right for you? Should you be moving your office to a shared space this year?

Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you spend money on the decision –

How much do you have in common with the people at the coworking place?

People keep saying how nice it is to work around others. Collaborating with like-minded individuals can bust stress, and it can foster value-adding conversations. If you are a UX designer or a web developer, you can find better ideas about optimizing your designs by speaking with those around you. However, is it possible for people to land up in the right place every time? Is there some guarantee that confirms the presence of likeminded people at every shared office? The case is not so. Most coworking spaces attract a crowd from nearby areas. Since places like Skydesk Coworking are conducive towards many professions, you are likely to find a wide variety of personalities working there. It is excellent if you want to explore the diversities of different occupations, but if you are not a team player, you might find it more than a little bit challenging to co-exist. 

Do you want to pay by the hour or by the month?

Some shared offices offer incredible flexibility of timing and rent. These include the places that have hourly rental plans for their members. On several occasions, the co-workers are working mothers and pet-parents, who do not want to stray too far from home. These people face an endless number of challenges every day at home, and they carry these challenges to office as well. Flexible in and out times are helpful in such situations. The monthly rentals are more convenient for committed full-time workers, who do not want to take the hassle of a daily commute. Monthly plans are often cheaper than hourly plans, but unless you are ready to invest about eight hours at work per day, you cannot expect a high payout. At the same time, if you find a place that offers service by the hour, you are more likely to find people, who are facing the same daily challenges that you are. It will be easier for you to connect and communicate.

How much of a fitness freak are you?

Can you see yourself in a tree-pose at your workplace? The city offers a wide variety of co-working choices that include open gyms, Tai Chi, yoga and mindfulness programs. These are also the same places that have slightly higher pricing as compared to the "Plain Jane"s of coworking. Now, the question you need to ask yourself is if you really want to work out after office hours, or would you instead go home and pour yourself some red wine and chill in front of the TV? If it is the latter, then you should not waste your hard earned money because people find it trendier than the basic co-working setups. As we have mentioned before, there are several types of co-working spaces that include the overly formal ones, the ones with a bohemian vibe and the travel spaces. Each one has unique opportunities and features. It is up to you to pick a co-working style that goes with your style. We know people, who want nothing but a grand view of the city skyline or the sunset from their office windows. And that is what they look for while sorting through co-working space options. Be true to yourself and choose a shared space that fits your budget and interests.

Are you comfortable in the new working space?

You might be comfortable working in your shorts paired with bright green Crocs, but do you feel equally comfortable while doing so in your shared office space? Can you at all bust out the “weird” you in your co-working space? Sometimes, simple things like the smell of the coffee or the buzzing of fluorescent lights can make an office intolerable for the occupant. Since you are going out of home to carve another comfort zone that you can call an office, you might as well ensure that everything is right how you want them to be. Unless there is something significantly more lucrative or essential you are getting from the place, you should not compromise. Always remember that you are paying from your own pockets to be happy. You are traveling from home to a new shared office out of your volition. Therefore, there is enough reason for you to be the harsh critique of the new co-working office. Thanks to the fierce competition it is not difficult to find a shared space that offers all the amenities you need and more at a bargain price.

Traditional offices do not appeal to everyone. Similarly, shared office spaces are not for everyone. You need to interrogate yourself thoroughly before packing your boxes and moving to a shared desk. Never pick co-working options because it is trending. Choose it only if you like mixing up work life with a little socializing, networking and creativity.