How to stay productive while Coworking

Coworking spaces are perfect for freelancers, designers and writers who just need a small dedicated space to get the job done, but in an environment where you are in charge of your own working hours and you work in a space  where a multitude of distractions are possible, staying productive can be a challenge.

When you find yourself not able to meet deadlines due to constant distractions, you need to think of ways to keep yourself on task and keep possible distractions to a minimum.

Ditch the tech

Distractions not only come from external sources, but can come from you as well. One of the biggest distractions we find today is our phones. To avoid grabbing for your phone and wasting precious time on it, put it in your bag or in a drawer. This will help you stay off of social media, having distracting conversations, and messing around on apps.

Get some air

If your mind keeps wandering, get up and take a walk. Go make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and take a quick walk to refresh your mind and get some energy out. You will not only get a much needed creative boost, it is also scientifically backed that a quick break every hour significantly increases productivity and quality of work.

Turn up the volume

To avoid getting distracted by the environment and the people you share your coworking space with, get some earphones. You can use these to signal other people that you do not want to talk right now, but you can also play soft music which has been proven to increase productivity especially with repetitive tasks, and help keeps your mind from wandering.

Be honest

If you find that the people you share the coworking space with interferes with your productivity, and constantly wants to talk to you, go to them and explain that you prefer not to be disturbed during certain periods.  Most people will understand exactly where you come from, as you all find yourself in the same situation. If the movement of the people coming in and out and moving around distracts you, see if you can move to a desk where you have your back to the door, and the more communal areas like the kitchen.

Plan for it

Finally, to keep your productivity flowing smoothly plan your day out. Create a to do list, and mark off every item as you complete it. Planning your day out not only ensures you never forget a task it also increases productivity. Make sure your desk is organised, all the pens and other supplies you might need is right at hand and clutter is kept to a minimum. If you do not need it, put it in your bag.  

If you put these into practice, you will find that your productivity will spike, your deadlines will be met time after time, and your coworking experiences will be amazing.

Want to be a part of community of like-minded entrepreneurs, freelancers and startups? Our coworking space has a ready-built community of Nairobi’s most high-growth and high-impact ventures. If you are looking to join a network of stars, you’re in good company. Find out more about our desk plans here.