Coworking for a better you

We were excited to read “Why People Thrive in Coworking Spaces” by a group of PhDs from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business in the Harvard Business Review.  They confirmed what we here at Click know anecdotally with some real data and then they dug in to identify the reasons behind the numbers.

Here’s the gist:  People who work in coworking spaces are happier and more effective than workers in conventional office settings or those working on their own.

"There seems to be something special about coworking spaces. As researchers who have, for years, studied how employees thrive, we were surprised to discover that people who belong to them report levels of thriving that approach an average of 6 on a 7-point scale. This is at least a point higher than the average for employees who do their jobs in regular offices, and something so unheard of that we had to look at the data again."

The primary reasons they lay out are:
1. People who use coworking spaces see their work as meaningful.  
Many coworkers are freelancers and are able to choose the work they take on.  They opt in to projects and partnerships that suit them.  In a coworking space, people are coming from many different disciplines and job types, meaning that there is less direct competition for acceptance.  And in many coworking spaces, there’s a culture of collaboration, meaning that you’re likely to find answers to your questions by reaching out to your coworking colleagues.

2.  They have more job control. 
We all know that entrepreneurs and sole practitioners work long hours, but coworkers can choose when they work.  Not only that, consultants and freelancers have made themselves the boss.  But, as noted in the article, some structure can be a good thing.  Coming to work in a professional space can help to motivate progress.

3.  They feel part of a community. 
Here at Click, and in many other coworking organizations, we are a community.  We know each other’s names and are willing to share ideas and a laugh now and then.  From day-to-day interactions to our monthly happy hour and lunch hour programming, we offer optional opportunities to network and engage.

Five Things I Wish I Had Known When I Started Working for Myself

The awesome Lifehacker website recently featured some of the downsides of self-employment.  Short version:

1. You might be the worst boss ever!
2. You Are the CEO, Sales Department, Product Department, IT and Customer Support Team, Operations Team, and Janitor
3. You Might Not Remember What "Free Time" Is Anymore
4. The "Feast or Famine" Cycle Is a Vicious Rollercoaster
5. You Might Envy Your Salaried Colleagues

We love entrepreneurship here at Click Workspace, but it is important for folks to know the pros and cons to the this career path.  Read the full article here.

Living Life in the Freelance Lane: Tips & Tricks for ‘lancers

The great folks at DeskMag, an online resource for coworkers, put out this nice article: Living Life in the Freelance Lane: Tips & Tricks for ‘lancers.   The opening sets the tone...

Coworking is where freelancing begins, but it isn’t where it ends. You need to know your rights, stay on top of your financial education and keep moving forward with the inspiration to succeed (without falling in to the side ditch of being professionally unemployed). Some say freelancers have the freedom to work any 13 hours of the day they like, but the smarter ones know they could set themselves free to the Four Hour Workweek.

Read the whole thing here.