What is Coworking and Why You Should Try it

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With the growing trend of telecommuting, remote working, and virtual offices, more people are drifting towards unconventional work spaces. Coworking is at the head of this movement.

What is coworking anyway? As a newer term, throwing it around may confuse people more often than excite them. So here’s all you need to know about coworking.

A coworking space is essentially open to anyone, from freelancers to software startups and drama therapists to graphic designers. Coworking spaces are designed on open layouts where people can choose to sit anywhere. Some offer private offices or on-reserve meeting spaces. Most offer the facilities a normal office would have, such as kitchens, bathrooms, printing, and supplies, the main difference being that here, people on any career path can come together to work.

Brad Neuberg of San Francisco started the coworking movement in 2005 when he opened a coworking space in a local wellness center to share ideas, open to all. Since then the idea has spread and coworking spaces have sprung up all over the country.

You may be thinking, why join a coworking space when you could work at a coffee shop or from home for free?

It comes down to the 5 core values of coworking.

Community. When you’re working as a freelancer or leading a private, small-owned business, you probably spend most of your days alone. Coworking fosters communities for those lone wolves looking for company while offering constant networking opportunities.
Openness. A shared space invites openness, to outside points of view, different ways of thinking, and expanding your vision. It can also help get you out of a rut with a change of space or kill off the distractions of whirring espresso machines and dirty laundry that coffee shops and homes tend to exude.
Collaboration. You’re surrounded by other, brilliant minds you can collaborate with in the sort of creative space you’ve been missing since college. So open yourself up to new people and ideas and get creating. For more tips on collaboration, check out this blog post here.
Sustainability. Coworking spaces are generally dedicated to being eco-friendly through lowering energy use through a shared space and recycling. Beyond the environmental version of sustainability, coworking also strives to sustain the individual through a supportive community and an active, idea-generating space.
Accessibility. A coworking space can be anywhere and anything. And most importantly, the space should be accessible to any type of person. Coworking spaces are often melting pots of random types and breeds that can interact with each other while learning and growing from the experience.

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Another perk of coworking is the work ethic it inspires. When you’re surrounded by others, you instinctively feel the pressure to police your screen. While there’s more space for personal interaction, you may find yourself tumbling and tweeting less while coworking in order to keep your screen on your work. Unless you’re in charge of social media for your company.

So give coworking a try. If you’re in Chicago, take a day at Free Range Office’s space to test the waters and see what you think. For top notch coworking spaces in more U.S. cities, check out this article here. Don’t forget to read up on shared space etiquette when you go!