9 Ways to Stay Productive (and Happy) During the Coworking Summer Slump

One of the great perks of coworking is flexibility. Most coworking spaces offer monthly membership plans that can be customized, modified or paused based on your schedule and needs.

What this means for some spaces is a summer slump, where people turn their attention and energy to vacations, kids and family, and time away from work. Coworking memberships generally slow down at this time, which means spaces can be a little quieter than usual.

But, while the workspace hum may be dialed back, the summer slump is the perfect time to make new connections and dig into your business and coworking community in new ways. Some of your coworking besties may not be around, but you can still rock your work and network—and maybe make some new friends.

Here are 9 ways to stay productive (and happy) during the coworking summer slump.

1. Embrace Your Inner Early Bird

Long summer days mean you can work in the morning and still have a full day of outdoor fun and activity in the afternoon and evening. Get to your space early, do your most important work in the morning, then get out and enjoy the day.

2. Tackle New Tech Tools

There is no shortage of cool apps, software, gadgets and tech tools. In fact, there are so many that it’s hard to know where to start and if there’s one that could potentially help supercharge your business.

Take advantage of the summer slump to research and test some new tools (including the tech tools in your coworking space), update your gadgets, find more efficient ways to collaborate with your team, and get your systems streamlined.

3. Make New Connections

If your coworking space is quieter than usual, and your friends and collaborators aren’t around, make new connections. Say hello to someone you’ve seen around the space but haven’t spoken with, introduce yourself to a new member, reconnect with someone you’ve been meaning to follow-up with, offer to share a tool or resource with someone working near you.

Take the summer slump as an opportunity to strengthen your social and professional network. These one-on-one connections help create strong coworking communities.

4. Change It Up

If you’re a creature of habit who always sits in the same spot, check out the view from another area of your space. Try a standing desk, sit at a community table, work near the kitchen or an outside area, or find a spot in the quiet area or phone area. You’ll shake up your routine and add new options to your workday.

5. Get Outside

If you’re fortunate enough to have an outdoor area at your coworking space, take your laptop, notes, or just thoughts, outside for a work session or day. The fresh air, sunshine and change of scenery is good for your body and creativity.

6. Move Your Body

If you don’t have an outdoor area at your coworking space, take frequent walks around the block. Even a 10-minute stroll can give you a fresh perspective and new energy to tackle work projects.

If you have wellness offerings in your space, such as yoga or a workout area, the summer slump is the perfect time to move your body and develop some new, healthy habits.

7. Keep Things Flexible

One of the best things about coworking is the flexibility it offers. No longer locked into 9-to-5 jobs, a fast-growing segment of the global workforce has the flexibility to work on our own terms and timelines.

Work flexibility, especially during the summer months, can mean a mid-day swim or paddleboard session, leaving early to catch a baseball game, long weekends in nature, or whatever floats your boat.

8. Hit the Road

Find out if your coworking space has an agreement with other spaces that allows members to visit each other’s space. If you’re a member of a scaled workspace brand, take advantage of the company’s network of spaces and visit different locations while you’re on the road.

Working in a new atmosphere allows you to be productive on the road, work in focused time when you travel, and connect with a new community of coworking professionals.

9. Take Time to Unwind

All work and no play is no way to live. Even though you love your work and coworking community, take time to enjoy the summer, do some big picture daydreaming, and relax your mind.

by Cat Johnson, a content strategist, storyteller and coworker at NextSpace Santa Cruz

Pacific Wokplaces provides cowokring memberships, virtual office plans, meeting rooms, and private offices in California.  Find a location near you.