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Consider these pros and cons of coworking

Why would one want to work in an office if they have the opportunity to work from home. On the surface, it can seem like an advantage to be able to dictate your own hours, pay and projects. It can be really nice to have more time with your kids during the day and not to have to pay for childcare. It is also a nice perk to be able to take time off whenever you need to. This is ideal during the holidays as well as during the summer when there is more need for traveling and taking vacations. Having this sort of independence is ideal for entrepreneurial types who do no thrive when overshadowed by a boss or manager. Even though many professionals now work from home, it does not make them immune to some sort of structure. In fact, if a freelancer does not have structure when working from home, their business will not thrive. It is almost more imperative to be disciplined when working for yourself because the only person you have to answer to is you. If you are not a strict boss of yourself, your productivity may suffer. Sometimes just being around someone else working is motivation enough to get your work done. When working from home, you are typically working alone. This can be boring and demotivating where distractions have a way of creeping in no matter how hard you try to stay focused.

One of the benefits of coworking is that it is easier to find motivation to get more things accomplished. The creative juices start flowing better when surrounding by so much productivity. Another pro is that you have the opportunity to meet people that you most definitely would not have the chance to meet otherwise. These connections can open up doors for you and your business. You will be able to develop long term relationships with other professionals who you may be able to collaborate with on meaningful projects.

Being a part of a growing network of coworking professionals is worth the investment in a membership. Even if you do not want to work in a shared office space on a consistent basis, the access to this network is invaluable for your business as well as for your personal growth. Working from home can save you money, of course, as there is a reasonable premium for a membership. However, it can be lonely to work by yourself and after a while it can be stifling to your creativity.

Another con that deter people from considering a coworking space is childcare. A lot of times, a parent chooses to work from home because it is more cost effective than pricey childcare services. However, children can sometimes be a distraction while you are working. Since time is essentially money, especially when you own your own business, you may be costing yourself more money in the long run anyway. It is always best to way all of the pros and cons when adding anything to your overhead costs.