New to coworking? We can help!
Change is everywhere around us, especially with spring bursting forth here in Seattle! If you've been cooped up in your home office all winter and are starting to get a little nutty, now is a great time to head to your neighborhood coworking spot.
But here's the thing: we don't just want you to give coworking a try. We want you to find the coworking community that is best for you and that you want to stick with for the long run. Because we know that people who belong to coworking space (and the communities therein) report being happier. They report being less lonely. And they report that coworking helps keep them sane.
Nomads gathering for the annual holiday potluck.
In addition, our friend Cat Johnson recently shared with us that surrounding yourself by people who are productive, engaged, and motivated means that you are more likely to be productive, engaged and motivated.
Those are all some pretty great reasons to put your pants on, get out of your kitchen, and get over to your neighborhood coworking space. But before you head out the door, we wanted to share a few tips we've learned from our members that will help get you started strong in your coworking space:
Ben showing us what he's been working on.
Budget in breaks
Especially during your first six months in a coworking space, setting aside some time in your day to connect with other members is key, says longtime member Veronica. "Hang out in the kitchen or other social spaces to get to know folks. Be intentional about making connections with others."
It might be easy to get caught up in how much more productive you are in a coworking space, especially in the first few weeks. But if part of what brought you to a coworking space is the possibility of making connections with others, then be sure you carve out some time for it each day.
A monthly gathering of writers at Office Nomads
Say yes
Most coworking spaces are home to events. Whether it's a "lunch + learn" presentation or just an organized coffee break, events are great opportunities to meet some of the other members in a coworking space.
"Shared experiences create an opportunity to connect with new people," says George. "The people who participate in events are usually up for getting to know the other people there."
"Say yes to everything you can for a little while" echos Juan. "That helped me meet a bunch of Nomads and try out things I wouldn't otherwise do." Even if "everything you can" is one event in a month, it can go a long way towards slowly building connections with new people.
Christina earning "super member" status by making waffles for Waffle Wednesday.
Pitch in
Any great coworking space is great because of one thing: the members. And members who are actively engaged in making the coworking space and the community in it better make everyone happy. "For a quick way to make friends, learn how to make the coffee!" says Bobby.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but it's a really important point. Don't just look for the coworking space that you can get the most out of. Look for the coworking space that you are eager to be a part of and contribute to.
Other useful tidbits
Some other items that are worth keeping in mind as you get started in a coworking space:
It's OK if it takes time. Relationships aren't built in a day! It takes time to get to know new people and build trust between you. Don't rush it. As member George reminds us: "People come to coworking spaces for a variety of reasons depending on the day – don't assume that everyone is here to socialize or network every day." Look for social cues common to coworking spaces: if someone has their noise-cancelling headphones on, that's a good indication that they're not up for a chat.
If your space has a newsletter or email list that you're going to join as a member, sign up using your personal email. If you sign up using your current work email and then your job changes, you might miss out on connections to your coworking community without realizing it.
"Where should I go get lunch?" could be one of the greatest ways to get a conversation started AND help you find the best spots for a great lunch.