Isolation is one of the most common reasons people hesitate to work from home or telecommute. Although there’s nothing in the world like being able to work from home, there are drawbacks. The traditional workplace is a very social environment. During a work week you spend more time with your coworkers than you do with your family. Going from an office full of friends and acquaintances to a quiet room at home all alone may be a bit of a culture shock.

If you worked at a socially active company, you may be concerned about isolation once you go solo. Or maybe you’re already feeling a bit lonely while running your own business. No matter the situation, coworking space may be just the solution you’re looking for.

Coworking is a relatively new term for an idea closely related to virtual offices, that’s beginning to take hold in major cities across the country. Unlike traditional offices or business centers, coworking offers a facility where independent professionals can work side by side in a casual, comfortable environment.

In a coworking space, you share office space with others to get work done during the day. You don’t have to be in business with those you work next to, and in most cases you won’t know them (at least at first.) But a collaborative environment can spark ideas, help you stay motivated, and, at the very least, give you some friendly faces in the office.

Not surprisingly, coworking first found its roots in Silicon Valley where many tech-preneurs were seeking to redefine the modern workplace. Web designers, programmers, graphic artists, and freelance writers were among the first to grab onto the concept.

Most people who use coworking facilities appreciate the friendly environment and creative inspiration that comes from working with others. It provides a change of pace from the isolation of a work-at-home job, and mimics the positive aspects of working in a traditional work environment.

Most coworking environments including our Sacramento cowork spaces provide:

  • Workstations/desks
  • High speed Internet access
  • Conference rooms
  • Kitchen space
  • Network printing and faxing

Depending on the set up of the location, you’ll either pay for a drop-in or pay per month of use. Packages are normally available for set hours and there may be extra options for advanced features. Working at a coworking location is as simple as signing up for a membership, showing up, claiming a desk space and getting to work. You’ll meet your other workmates for the day, share ideas, and, in the best case scenario, spark creativity in each other.

Courtney Ramirez
Research Analyst, Pacific Business Centers (rebranded as Pacific Workplaces)

Courtney’s research for Pacific Business Centers focuses on tracking emerging business trends and best practices – with an emphasis on how they affect business operations, technology, and the future of work trends.