How To Stay Focused in a Coworking Space

Coworking spaces have been surging in popularity as an ideal alternative to traditional offices for freelancers, entrepreneurs and businesses alike for many years. Their flexible, open spaces and facilities make coworking spaces an idyllic environment where employees can thrive in their work.

Although coworking spaces are great for productivity, staying focused during the working day is a challenge in any office environment.

If you’re looking for a guide on staying productive in a coworking space, then our top tips will help you maintain your focus and take your business to the next level.

Find the right space

Select an appropriate workspace or office

The key to maintaining focus in a coworking space is finding the right space for you.

Now that employees have the choice to work remotely or come into the office, the humble desk is no longer just a table and chair in the middle of some floor in a building, but a place where ideas come to life and inspire solutions. 

Although opinions differ on what a preferred office looks like, there are a few almost universal wants and needs such as plenty of windows for views and natural lighting, a beautifully designed ergonomic workspace with plenty of desk room and collaborative zones and meeting rooms with everything you need.   

Take advantage of your coworking space’s meeting rooms, facilities, and technology to find your ideal space (and suitable backup spaces for when your first choice is taken). Those amenities determine whether a coworking space is worth it.

Ultimately, coworking spaces in the UK are location-dependent.

Read more on how to select an appropriate coworking space - How to choose a coworking space: 9 tips to consider

Consider noise levels and proximity to distractions

Coworking spaces have a reputation for collaboration, creativity and sparking new ideas that lead to success. But like all great offices, there is unavoidable sounds, chatter and background noise that disturb even the most motivated workers.

Since most workers value quiet when completing their work, it can be tricky to figure out where in your coworking space is best for you. This adjustment might be especially tricky for remote workers who aren’t used to an environment with other professionals.

Choosing a coworking provider away from high-traffic areas or noisy equipment can significantly reduce the amount of background noise you’re surrounded by, allowing you to concentrate on what you need to do.

The flexibility of coworking spaces means that if one space becomes too loud for your liking, you can always find another for more quiet time. 

Keep your office space tidy

Leaving your coworking space untidy is a big no-no, not just for everyone around you, but for yourself first and foremost.

Studies from the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that an untidy desk and cluttered spaces can break a person’s focus, and that removing unnecessary mess increases a worker’s ability to process information.

Recent research on workers in the UK also showed that visual clutter in their workspace can negatively impact their mental health and is linked to increased stress, anxiety and depression.

Maintaining a clutter-free, clean and well-organised is essential to helping you stay productive in a coworking space. Following this is also a basic coworking etiquette rule.

Set Clear Goals and Prioritise Tasks

Create a schedule (and stick to it!)

If you’re working in any office job, chances are you’re juggling at least 10 different tasks at any given time, ranging from long-term projects to reports with a quick turnaround. It’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to manage the expected workloads of most professionals, and sometimes you’ll end up trying to multitask.

But ironically, the more you try to fit into your workday the less you actually get done. Multitasking is linked to lower levels of focus as your brain is unable to concentrate for long enough and properly process the information needed to get the job done.

Focusing on a single task and then moving on to the next one has proven to be the more efficient approach.  

The best way to avoid multitasking is by creating a clear schedule for your day, working on the higher-priority tasks first and then moving on to less time-critical ones later. Make sure you also schedule in regular breaks so your brain can unwind before switching gears onto the next job.

Use goal-setting strategies

Effective goal-setting strategies are crucial for workers aiming to enhance their productivity, focus, and overall career progression.

There are many goal-setting strategies that can help you stay productive in coworking spaces, from SMART Goals to thinking about performance vs outcome.

One method that’s highly effective for freelancers and employees working in small businesses is the Break Down Large Goals into Smaller Jobs strategy. For example, if your aim is to have that important proposal document finished by the end of the week, then break that goal down into achievable sizes for each day, such as aiming to complete a section or two a day until it's done.

Implementing these strategies can significantly improve your ability to set and achieve meaningful goals, making your coworking space the place where magic happens.

Manage your time wisely

Now that we’ve established why sticking to a schedule is key to staying focused, we have to address the next hurdle, getting everything done in a timely manner.

One of the best ways to make sure you get everything done in your day-to-day is to utilise the ever-increasing suite of time management apps and softwares.

Time management tools are essential for optimising productivity, organising tasks, and ensuring efficient use of your time. Some of the key benefits include:

• Improved organisation through the use of to-do lists, calendars and project management boards
• Better time allocation as users can block time out of their calendars to focus on allocated duties
• Increased worker accountability as they can monitor their progress on goals and tasks
• They are easily accessible through apps and other software that can used on multiple devices
• They reduce stress by providing a clear outline of what needs to be done, reducing anxieties associated with a heavy workload and strict deadlines

There are an abundance of time management tools out there, from Microsoft’s To Do and Planner, to Google Tasks, Trello, Asana and hundreds of others. Take the time to research the plenty of options to see what’s best for you and your style of work.

You can also make use of secretarial support services from your coworking space provider. This can save time across plenty of tasks that aren’t making your business capital but are still essential to complete.

Always consider what coworking space amenities you have access to and use them to your advantage.

Manage your smartphone and social media use

Everyone is guilty of checking their notifications during work hours at some point. Whether it's checking the family Whatsapp chat to seeing who liked your Instagram post, its difficult to resist taking a quick break to respond to messages or take a quick scroll on socials.

Although most of us rely on our phones to make calls and send emails when away from the desk, they are also one of the key distractors stopping many people from getting their work done.

Research shows that the average worker spends up to 2.5 hours during their workday accessing digital content that is not related to their jobs, with excessive phone usage making up a large chunk of that time. This can also be attributed to workers tabbing out on their computer screens to browse social media or play games.

Whilst some businesses have policies limiting the use of smartphones at their desks, it’s typically up to the individual to manage this themselves.

Top tips for reducing phone usage during the workday include putting your phone on do-not-disturb mode during focus times, allocating set checking times during the day (these can be during breaks or otherwise), and removing distracting apps from your main home screen to avoid temptation.

You can also minimise call distractions by using a virtual office phone service. Think about the number of calls you receive that are a waste of time or spam, and you could’ve responded to them later.

With a great coworking space, you should be able to ask for a dedicated receptionist to answer your calls based on your instructions—this will give your company a more professional look!

Establish Boundaries

When your coworking space buzzes with activity, it's easy to be swept up in the excitement. Whilst this can be great on many occasions, it definitely isn’t useful or ideal when you need to finish that time-sensitive presentation or report. 

Establishing boundaries with your coworkers or team is crucial for staying focused and not letting your work fall by the wayside.

Letting others know when you need privacy or focus time goes a long way. It’s important to communicate this with those around you either by setting your status as ‘Do not disturb’ or ‘unavailable’ or just verbalising it with them.

Maintaining boundaries in a coworking space is not just about safeguarding your own productivity but also about contributing to a respectful, professional, and collaborative environment. It requires ongoing communication, respect for shared space, and a commitment to the collective well-being of all members.

Take breaks throughout the day

No matter what industry you’re in, taking work breaks is a non-negotiable for productivity.

Taking breaks is a vital part of every work day, with benefits ranging from boosting your concentration to counteracting fatigue and helping workers strike a better work-life balance. The most notable ways breaking boosts productivity levels include:

• Improves overall mental wellbeing
• Prevents burnout
• Decreases the ability for your focus to be broken by distractions
• Enhances creativity
• Encourages movement for physical health
• Fosters social interaction with fellow colleagues and team members

The next time you’re trying to get a task done but aren’t sure what to do, why not take a break and come back to it with a fresh perspective? Your mind, body and boss will thank you later.

Foster a Positive Work Environment

Ask employees what their favourite part of working in a coworking space is, and chances are they’ll say being able to socialise and collaborate with their coworkers in a flexible environment. Ask a freelancer, and they’ll most likely say the opportunity to connect with others and communicate with like-minded individuals

Coworking spaces come with support, not just from your service provider but also from those who share the office space with you. A strong community can lead to networking opportunities, partnerships, and a sense of belonging among coworkers, whether you work for the same company or not.

The best ways to build your community within the coworking space include cultivating a welcoming environment by hosting in-office lunches and networking meet-ups and plan office-wide social and recreational activities that foster relationships.

The links between social interaction and productivity are clear, creating a firm foundation for your business or company to succeed.

Are Coworking Spaces Right For You?

In the bustling environment of coworking spaces, maintaining focus demands a strategic approach.

By carefully selecting your workspace, establishing clear boundaries, and effectively managing your time, you can harness the vibrant energy around you for enhanced productivity. Embracing breaks and fostering community connections further enriches your work experience, turning potential distractions into sources of inspiration and support. And remember, coworking space design plays a strong role in your overall productivity.

Ultimately, the secret to thriving in a coworking space lies in striking the right balance between individual focus and communal engagement, allowing you to leverage the best of both worlds for your professional growth.

Want to learn more about coworking? Check out our Ultimate Coworking Space Guide for a comprehensive overview.