Coworking spaces attract professionals from all industries – you might have a freelance graphic designer sitting on your right and a personal finance manager on the left. Like their various professions, each person has a distinct personality. Every person also has their own style of working. So, it is important to inculcate a few healthy coworking habits to ensure that the way you work doesn’t inconvenience anyone else.
Here is a list of healthy habits you can follow to make coworking a pleasurable experience for everyone.
Top 7 Healthy Work Habits For Coworking Space
- Give Respect To Get Respect
- Stay Organized And Contained
- Follow The Rules
- Bring Your Own Supplies
- Don’t Overuse Shared Amenities
- Be Quiet
- Pay Attention To Personal Hygiene
1. Give Respect To Get Respect
The first rule of working with others – respect everyone. Be polite to everyone on the floor. It doesn’t hurt to smile and say hello when you walk into a coworking space. One of the key benefits of a coworking environment is the opportunity to network. This does not mean that you can just walk over to someone’s desk and ask for help. Interrupting someone at work will not gain you any favors.
Respect people’s time and interact with them at appropriate times. If you’re working with a friend, make sure you keep your volume low and don’t disturb the people around you. This will help build a healthy workspace for everyone.
2. Stay Organized And Contained
Shared desks are common coworking office features. When you sit at a shared desk, you cannot assume that the entire tabletop space is yours. If there are no visible markings on the desk, assume your personal space on the desk to be 3 feet wide. Everything you want to keep on the desk should fit within this space.
It’s also important to keep your things tidy and organized. You might be comfortable working in what you call an organized mess but clutter on your section of the desk affects the overall vibe of the space. When you leave for the day, make sure you take all your belongings with you.
3. Follow The Rules
There are some rules that you’ll find listed on a coworking space guide and others that are simply meant to be understood. These rules apply to everyone so follow them. For example, a coworking office space for rent will probably have a meeting room. You can’t just walk into the room and command it for yourself. Rather, check the coworking guidelines about how to book a slot in the meeting room.
Following these healthy work habits in a coworking space will help you get along with your coworking colleagues and keep you productive.
4. Bring Your Own Supplies
Irrespective of where you are working, one of the basic healthy work habits to start is to ensure that you don’t depend on anyone else for anything you need. Along with your laptop, you need to bring your own chargers, notebooks, pens, pencils, etc. Similarly, coworking spaces give you access to a shared kitchen but you should bring your own water bottles, cups and cutlery with you. Don’t use crockery that isn’t yours or take someone else’s food from the fridge.
At the same time, helping someone out by lending them a pen or a fork could be the start of a relationship. Just remember – it’s always better to be the lender rather than the borrower.
5. Don’t Overuse Shared Amenities
There are several facilities available to all members of a coworking space. You get access to a kitchenette, printers, fax machines, lockers, meeting rooms and more. Remember, these are not intended only for your use and hence should not be overused or taken for granted. Be considerate of everyone else who also needs to use these amenities.
For example, if you book the meeting room, don’t overstay your time. Similarly, if you use the last sheet of paper in the printer, replace the pack or inform the concerned administrator. These are unspoken expectations you won’t find listed on a behaviour checklist in coworking spaces.
6. Be Quiet
You enjoy working to music but your music may be a distraction for the people around. So, make sure you carry a good pair of headphones with you – and don’t sing along. When you’re talking to others, keep your volume down or step out to the common area or kitchen area. This recommendation should be followed for in-person conversations as well as telephonic conversations. If you need to talk to more than one person at a time, book a meeting room. Avoid having meetings at your desk.
7. Pay Attention To Personal Hygiene
Lastly, pay attention to your personal hygiene. There may not be a formal dress code but dress smartly every day in clean, fresh clothes. If you want to use the gym before getting to work, make sure you carry a change and shower before getting to work. Keep your hair well combed and your makeup minimal. If you’re feeling unwell, consider working from home for the day. If you can’t do that, make sure you have a desktop bin to trash the used tissues.
Wrapping It Up
Making an effort to inculcate these simple habits will go a long way in helping you become part of the coworking community and partnering with potential collaborators. Collaborations can be key to working past challenges and exploring new markets. Of course, you need to ensure that you choose the right coworking space where you are likely to find like-minded potential collaborators.
The Office Pass (TOP) has many coworking locations in Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. The coworking spaces are fully equipped and ready to use. If you want to know more, reach out to us at 08999 828282.
