Coworking spaces aren’t just a place to grab a coffee and get to work. Coworking is a community — one that offers opportunities for connection and inspiration.
Here are a few other things we’re grateful for when it comes to coworking and how it’s kept us motivated during such a challenging year.
A Space to Think
“The pandemic caught me living with my boyfriend in a one-bedroom apartment. Both of us have jobs where we are always away from home so size was never a problem until now,” says Rocio Madera.
Many people are working from home. Because of innovations in remote office technology and a shift in work culture. While this flexibility gives employees some freedom, being at home more often, with others at home, isn’t always convenient.
Coworking spaces offer many of Alkaloid’s members a space for focus, without all the distractions and tension that comes with being in close quarters with other people.
“I also love that it is so close to the Atlanta Beltline and places like Krog Street Market,” says Rocio.
A Space for Productivity
“Moving out of a home office and into Alkaloid has significantly improved my productivity. Also, everyone I’ve met so far has been very welcoming,” says Justin Porter.
Having a dedicated space to work can improve the ability to focus on that work. But a coworking space doesn’t just provide a desk for members, it’s also a positive work environment. And this positivity can create a culture of productivity in a coworking space.
“Too many companies bet on having a cut-throat, high-pressure, take-no-prisoners culture to drive their financial success. But a large and growing body of research on positive organizational psychology demonstrates that not only is a cut-throat environment harmful to productivity over time, but that a positive environment will lead to dramatic benefits for employers, employees, and the bottom line,” according to Harvard Business Review.
A Space for Accountability
One of the benefits that a coworking space brings is having other people around to bounce ideas off of, for both feedback and accountability.
And because members don’t all work for the same company, there’s less of a hierarchy and power dynamic. That prevents the culture of fear that many corporate and office environments can unknowingly promote.
“Organizations that have severe consequences or punitive measures for employees who make errors can send their employees’ psychological safety into a nosedive—which means they’ll be far less willing to own their blunders, offer new ideas, or take on unfamiliar challenges,” says Kat Boogard for Toggl.
When that fear is removed, however, opportunities for new ideas, connections, and inspiration can arise.
A Space That’s Safe
Finding a welcoming — and safe — coworking space has helped freelancers and small business owners find people they enjoy working around and with.
And coworking spaces like Alkaloid are only successful when their members are safe, so many have established extra-rigid protocols for cleaning and hygiene in their spaces during the COVID pandemic.
“Other coworking spaces seemed too corporate and did not inspire a safe environment given the circumstances,” says Rocio. “I stay because I was able to find my space, the Firelight coffee and because Katharine is the best.”
A Space to Connect
Loneliness is one of the worst mental health issues affecting us today — the COVID pandemic only heightened this issue.
But the coworking community certainly helps by offering a built-in community for its members. Coworking offers ways to connect and support one another during hard times (like COVID), and gives members a place to celebrate when it’s needed.
Spreading the Spirit of Gratitude
Alkaloid is especially grateful for coworking this year because it’s created a network of outstanding support during one of the biggest economic crises many of us have experienced. “I’m excited to meet more Alkaloids once COVID is under control,” says Justin Porter.
So are we, Justin! Coworking has taught us that we don’t have to struggle alone, and for that, we’re especially grateful.
We’d love to have you join our Alkaloid family!
Check out the space for with a free Day Pass, or learn more about our available memberships here.
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