1.82 seconds - that’s all the time it took for the Red Bull pit crew to change the tires during the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix. This astounding feat in the history of the sport was a crucial reason for the team’s eventual win in that race. Yes, the crew had years of practice and a set of specialized tools but they also understood that this was, at its core, a problem of time management.

You, as a freelancer or entrepreneur, or business leader, also have specialized tools allowing you to conquer time. Once you crack the code for optimal time utilization, your productivity will be at its peak for your 8 or 10-hour workday.

And what if you could access all these tools under 1 roof at a minimal cost?

Welcome to the treasure trove of time management tools coworking spaces offer.

What are coworking spaces?

Coworking spaces like WorkSocial are office facilities designed specifically for remote workers, freelancers, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs who need access to a workspace but may not want a full-time rental space for varied reasons.

Such shared workspaces offer affordable hourly rates with amenities like conference rooms, printing services, high-speed internet access, coffee/tea machines, etc. They also provide a great alternative for entrepreneurs requiring their own private office space for rent but not desiring to undergo the hassle of long-term contracts or upfront large deposits.

Benefits of coworking spaces in time management

Improved Focus

Coworking spaces provide a quiet and comfortable environment allowing you to concentrate on your tasks more effectively without being distracted by the general hustle-bustle of a household. The structured setting produced by a coworking space instinctively sharpens your mind especially when you are in the vicinity of others who desire the same level of focus as yourself. Such a simple change profoundly improves your efficiency by making sure you don’t burn yourself out too quickly due to a lack of focus when trying to tackle multiple assignments all at once.

Set Clear Goals

Every entrepreneur knows the importance of setting goals - it gives you a direction to move in. And when this process translates to time management, it requires breaking down bigger goals into manageable and trackable tasks and ensuring that everyone on your team is on the same page and moving towards the same objectives.

An office-like setting is useful because it facilitates in-person meetings to set and create a prominently visible and public record of these tasks. The most visible one is an office whiteboard - a very simple, age-old but highly effective tool to multiply the efficiency and productivity of you and your team. Write down any tasks or projects that need addressing, as well as any associated deadlines, and keep track of your progress. This has the dual benefit of keeping you on schedule to achieve your targets as well as displaying small wins every day to keep you and your team motivated.

Be mindful of a burnout

No matter how well you plan your day and manage your time, it is important to also take charge of your day by utilizing regular breaks to stay rejuvenated and productive throughout the day.

As noted here, coworking spaces today also offer special amenities to take care of your mental and physical well-being. These include a massage space, a dedicated break or game room, and a garden or zen area for meditation or yoga among others. All these facilities are great ways to recharge and then continue your work with renewed vigor.

Clean your desk for improved productivity

A study published by the Society of Personality and Social Psychology blames cluttered environments for the increased levels of the stress hormone - cortisol. As per another report in the journal of Current Psychology, individuals who get overwhelmed by the amount of ‘stuff’ in front of them are more susceptible to procrastination - the antithesis of effective time management.

All it takes is five minutes a day to clean your desk and ensure you are feeling organized and less stressed. In fact, a lot of coworking space rental offices have rules about tidying up after yourselves, which ensures that your work environment is conducive to higher productivity.

A catch-all time management tool

Does working from home allows for better time management or does working from the office? There are reasonable arguments on either side - reduced commute time vs easy availability of appliances like printers; reduced stress vs structure, peace and use of private meeting rooms and the differences of opinion go on and on.

Coworking spaces offer the best of both worlds - a conveniently close location, access to productivity tools, a sense of structure, and familiarity with like-minded peers.

Being surrounded by other professionals instills a sense of discipline, especially helping freelancers and solopreneurs stay accountable - even though no one else around them knows what they’re doing.

Coworking spaces also empower you to manage your schedules and organize your day, week, and month in a manner most suitable to your needs. These spaces have been built by understanding the nature of entrepreneurs who are not bound by specific working hours but are free spirits who cannot rest when an idea strikes and has to be implemented or tested immediately. You are free to avail all amenities, tools, and software throughout the day to ensure you are working at your preferred time. And have a conducive and peaceful environment at that.

These shared workspaces offer lots of benefits when it comes to managing our days, including reduced distractions, improved focus, and structured days so that we can maximize our productivity while still getting some well-deserved downtime for ourselves.