By Adam Scott
If someone compares today’s job industries with those of years before, it is obvious to notice the change that has transpired. Today, there are new jobs in new fields that are being occupied by smaller companies, organizations, and independent individuals. With this transition, the necessity for appropriate work spaces conducive to the respective professional goals, has changed. Smaller companies and organizations are looking for smaller expanses to utilize while bringing their ideas and innovations to life.
Only recently has the idea of a coworking space been widely acknowledged and examined. According to a timeline in DeskMag, the first official coworking space opened its doors in 2005, in San Francisco, California. However, there is speculation that this concept was established years before then. In Berlin, Germany a similar construct called a “hackerspace” was founded in 1999. This early-form coworking space allowed public access to WiFi and encouraged the gathering of different individuals for work related and meeting related purposes.
With both the prior “hackerspace,” and present-day “coworking space,” entrepreneurs, contractors, and other independent make-your-own-schedule, or work-from-home types have the opportunity to materialize their work setting. Various small businesses and independent professionals can utilize the same space as they are manifesting their creative and professional work-oriented goals. Though they may be applying themselves to diverse fields and operations, individuals in a coworking space work alongside each other as they manage their businesses, complete work, and lead meetings and presentations. They are no longer forced to work in a secluded manner from a distractive home environment or an overly-stimulated crowded coffee shop. With the coworking space concept, these individuals are instead given the opportunity to “put in time at the office.”
Though the conceptualized idea of a coworking space allows professionals to physically appear in an actual location, the notion is also, in many ways, a state of spirit. Human beings are social creatures by nature. We enjoy interaction and often detest isolation. Coworking space provides a means to collaboration while still allowing individual professionals to accomplish their distinct work. “Coworkers” in this regard are members of a community of like-motivated individuals, thus limiting distraction and instead inspiring productivity. When a part of a coworking space community, not only does an individual have a physical place to “show up” to, but a mental one as well. Working in a designated space promotes focus, connection, and a higher sense of well-being.
When considering the transitions our society has made, many developments have had to be introduced to accommodate the advancements. In regards to the working world and professional setting, the shift to more independently based work and business choices has led to the need for a concept identical to the coworking space. Professionals now have the opportunity to take advantage of a physical space that allows for mental and tangible productivity and connectedness.
Photo by: foam
