6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Co-Working Space

6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Co-Working Space6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Co-Working Space After landing a work-from-home job , I had to find a co-working space. But having never worked remotely, I had no idea how to prioritize the half-dozen spaces near me.There will be an estimated 14,000 co-working spaces worldwide by the end of 2017, according to Deskmags annual report .So, how do you choose a space? A co-working space can help you network and be more productive - if you can find the right one.Sixty-eight percent of professionals reported that theyre better able to focus in a co-working space, according to a 2016 survey performed by international architecture firm HOK .Its empowering to be able to choose where you work. You just have to make sure you choose the right bro. Here are six important factors to consider whether youre an employee like me, a freelancer or an entrepreneur.The average American workers commute to a co-working space is just 18 minutes, according to 2016 data from Deskmag .If you get to choose the location of your office, you might as well choose one thats an easy commute from your home. I went from a 45-minute bike ride into midtown Manhattan to walking five blocks in my Brooklyn neighborhood.Some of my co-working space colleagues are entrepreneurs . For them, location matters in a different way. They needed to choose a space thats geographically close to potential employees and clients.No matter what kind of worker you are, youll probably want an office that has restaurants nearby and is in a safe neighborhood. The best co-working spaces might also have backyards, a connected gym or parking for your car or bike.The office should have clean bathrooms, easy-to-reserve meeting rooms and high-quality desks and chairs. But consider the more abstract aspects of the work environment before committing to one co-working space over aleidher.The fact is, we all work differently. You might prefer a dead-quiet en vironment where you can be anonymous and focus on your work. On the other hand, you might like some social interaction.Similarly, a writer might prefer lots of natural light coming into the office, while a web developer might prefer coding in the dark.Where you fall on behauptung spectrums might be a driving force in the co-working space you choose. Im an introvert who likes to work in a quiet atmosphere, for example, so I chose a space that forbids loud conversations. Instead, it has booths for phone calls and conference rooms for team chats .There are also co-working spaces that might play music loudly or encourage intraoffice banter. If thats your thing, make sure your co-working space has this kind of vibe.Just ensure that its noise you can handle on a regular basis. One of my extroverted colleagues left her co-working space, in part, because she was seated next to a telemarketer who repeated the same spiel day after day - and that became an annoying distraction.One of the b enefits of choosing where you work is being able to decide when you work. But not all co-working spaces offer 24/7 service.If flexibility is important to you, consider co-working spaces that allow you to work nights, weekends or whenever you want.Along with building access, ask about the security of your potential office space. My workspace, for example, doesnt encourage leaving expensive equipment at our desks but does provide free lockers.And although you might prefer a smaller, boutique co-working space, a national chain co-working space could offer a major convenience. WeWork, which claims 218 offices in 53 cities, for example, gives its members the benefit of accessing its locations while youre on business trips.If youre a member of a WeWork in New York City, for example, you could stop by one of its Los Angeles locations if your work takes you to the other side of the country.Once youve found the right kind of co-working space, youll want to make sure you have friendly neigh bors. Take a tour of the office and observe your potential co-workers. It wouldnt hurt to ask a couple of them about their experience in the workplace.If youre an extroverted freelancer or an entrepreneur, you might also like to look into the backgrounds of your office mates. You might be inspired by fellow writers, for example, or in the market for web development talent. A future friend or employee could occupy the desk or office next to yours.The best co-working spaces offer more formal networking opportunities. Some spaces even sponsor in-house events and meetups to foster community and collaboration. Typically, these are the spaces with long-term members, not those that offer hourly or daily passes.Now youll want to make sure you can afford the co-working space. If youre a freelancer managing your finances , for example, you should have a good handle on how much you can spend on a workspace.Most spaces allow you to rent monthly. Be wary of signing an annual agreement, unless youre 100 percent sure youll make the most of it.Also, watch out for a space that might nickel and dime you above and beyond a flat rental fee. Finally, ask about billing before signing up. Youll want this process to be seamless, particularly if you need to expense your rental charges to your employer each month.Work-from-home jobs offer great perks , but your co-working space should too.Hopefully, you have a few attractive co-working spaces near you. If you need a good tiebreaker, list out the perks youd love in an office and see which contender offers more of them.Think beyond essentials like speedy internet, comfortable chairs and free use of an all-in-one printer. Here are some next-level perks to look out forThe best co-working spaces offer more of these frills than their peers. To make them count, rank your preferred perks before comparing workspaces. That way, you know exactly what your needs and wants are beforehand.I found my co-working space by clicking around Google Maps. But there are good resources for narrowing your search. You can use Coworker to find spaces and read user reviews, for example.If youre not ready to make a long-term commitment, dont worry. You can try co-working spaces on a short-term basis with apps and websites like Desktime and Desksurfing . They might also be useful for digital nomads traveling internationally .For those of you who are ready to lay down your roots, your research isnt done yet. Once youve narrowed down your options, take a tour of the office. Ask for a trial period, even if its for one workday.If you find yourself missing home or your local coffee shop, keep searching for the best co-working spaces near you.This article was originally published on Student Loan Hero . It is reprinted with permission.

How to win when you reach your breaking point

How to win when you reach your breaking pointHow to win when you reach your breaking pointMost moments in life shape us, but some define us.Occasionally, an instant has the magnitude to be life-changing - it can define who we are and, most importantly, what we become.We all face a breaking point in life.Even successful people have faced theirs. Actually, thats why they became who they are - they didnt let that moment break them. With courage and focus, they turned a defining moment on their favor.A breaking point tests you - its your chance to realize your true potential. But, first, you have to turn things around. Breaking points make or break us - it depends on you to emerge victorious.The dripping faucetIts elend the load that breaks you down, its the way you carry it. - Lou HoltzMost people crack up when their stress levels become unsustainable - they lose control of the situation.A breaking point is a moment of stress in which we break down - it feels like you are never g oing to get up back again. We are mora than under pressure - the situation becomes critical for our survival.Everyone faces a breaking point - we all get there in distinct ways.Some people simmer and then, all of a sudden, they explode. Others, resist being under pressure and may just stop responding entirely. Many overreact to a situation that might feel normal to someone else.Stress builds up over time until we can no longer cope with it.Deepak Chopra refers to chronic stress as hearing a dripping faucet. First, you elendice it, then you get irritated and finally, you cant stand it anymora. By the time you get to Stage 3, its time to fix the drip. - the spiritual teacher explains.People reach their breaking point in different ways. Getting someone to confess to a crime means the suspect has been broken - the person cannot cope with the external pressure. Interrogators succeed by precipitating a sense of helplessness, an underlying sense of guilt, or an inability to acknowledge ones vulnerabilities.The paradox is that not realizing our vulnerability makes us weaker. By not acknowledging that they can be broken, people are broken.Life is a tennis matchA man who wins is a man who thinks he can. - Roger FedererStress is cumulative our reaction to it doesnt need to follow the same pattern. Overcoming stress is not about strength, but wisdom.How do you absprache with breaking points?In most sports, the player who scores last may have little impact on the final result. However, in tennis, the player who scores last is always the winner.A break point occurs when a tennis player is a point away from winning a game in which the opponent is serving. Its generally easier to win a game of tennis when you serve - breaking an opponents service increases your odds of winning.In life, as in tennis, not all points matter the same - some define the outcome of the match.Take Roger Federer - the greatest tennis player of all times - as an example. For every single numbe r of break points won, Federers chances of winning a match are much higher than his chances of losing.Conversely, saving a break point not only keeps your chances alive but boosts your confidence. Great tennis players break their adversaries, right after surviving a break point on their own service.How you deal with breaking points has enduring consequences.Why we face breaking pointsA breaking point is a moment of greatest strain - most of us give away. We feel so much pressure. There are so many things going on - we can no longer deal with them.Often, one drop after another makes us explode. Others, a single situation can precipitate everything and make us lose control. Sometimes, we are afraid of uncertainty and turn an event into a life-or-death drama.Interestingly enough, the breaking points are the moments in which we need to stay calmer.Deepak Chopra identifies three stages that turn the dripping faucet into a make-or-break situation.Stage 1 You are aware of being under pre ssure, but still feel centered.Stage 2 Stress clouds your judgment, and you start to lose control. You have to make a conscious effort not to respond with anger, anxiety, or impatience.Stage 3 You cant cope any longer, and you explode - you release your tension momentarily but feel embarrassed and regretful.Chronic stress gets you irritated, one drop at-a-time, until you cannot tolerate it any longer. Your brain is triggered to respond - it releases stress hormones that throw you out of balance.Busyness is a harmful mindset. You work until you cant take any more responsibilities. You fool yourself by pretending to multitask - you think you make progress though you are not paying real attention to any task. You are regularly checking your phones notifications - you cant enjoy the here and now when your mind is always somewhere else.Life is a balancing act - everything is continually in motion. Research shows that trying to control every event is harmful - suppressing our emotio ns increases our stress.We cant avoid facing a breaking point, but we can manage how we react. Thats why Federer Roger is so good at saving break points while he is serving. He stays in the flow instead of panicking - Federer plays a break point like a regular one. The Swiss player avoids turning a crucial moment into a life-or-death situation.Overcoming breaking points requires balance - prevention is the best cure.Win the mental matchOnce you stop learning, you start dying. - Albert EinsteinWhen you face a critical point, you are the only one who can save yourself. Winning or losing is a mental game. Other people can provide support, but the game is played inside your mind. Your emotional reaction is everything - you need to build a first responders mindset.Columbia Universitys George Bonanno coined a term PTE (Potentially Traumatic Event) - an event is not traumatic unless we experience it as such. You can turn an adverse moment into a breaking point or not.Balance lies with in yourself, as I wrote here - remaining centered during a stressful moment increases your odds. Here are some thoughts to help you win the mental match.Always adapt, never reactFighting what we dont know or cant control its inherently human. Our brain loves being in charge. Thats why we feel anxious when facing breaking points - we want to be in control of every situation.Take time to acknowledge your emotions. Are you angry? Sad? Disappointed?Self-awareness is critical to pause and reflect - connect with your emotions but dont react. Learn to acknowledge and observe your thoughts rather than through them. Dont let your emotions cloud your vision. Or determine how you behave.Practice builds resilienceRecovering from break points takes time and practice. Its an ability that you develop through time - be patient and willing to put the effort.Federer has saved hundreds of break points in his career - thats why he stays so calm when facing one. Once you get used to playing at limi t situations, its easier not to let your emotions take over. Remind yourself of similar past situations Ive been there, done that. I can do it again.Send a message to the worldWhen you are against the ropes, saving a break point boosts more than your self-confidence - you are saying that you are alive and kicking.Treat your breaking points as a match. Dont let your opponent win - stay focused and balanced. Whats your message to the world? Be grateful for every breaking point you overcome. Share your experience so others can learn from you too.Turn your mind into an allyRoutine, distractions, and busyness debilitate our mind - we feel like living on autopilot. Prepare yourself to face breaking points. Meditation and other mindful practices can turn your mind into your best ally.Practice strengthening your mind - become familiar with yourself so that you can deal better with unexpected events. Embracing your own vulnerability makes you stronger. When you let go of the pressure to be perfect, you can flow and play more freely.Utilize social supportWe are social beings - you cannot win alone. Tennis players fire up the crowd after saving a break point. They need all the support they can get to stay focused and win the next point.Your success depends on the strength of your relationships. Identify the key people that can provide you with support or advice - tap into all the help you can to overcome breaking points. Check out this simple exercise to realize and leverage the power of others.- - - We all face breaking points in our lives - they dont just challenge us, they define us.Remember, prevention is always the best medicine. Learn to live a balanced life. Dont wait for your next breaking point to start training your mind.This article first appeared on Medium.

How to Make Yourself More Attractive to Remote Employers

How to Make Yourself More Attractive to Remote EmployersHow to Make Yourself More Attractive to Remote EmployersWhen applying for a telecommuting position, fulfilling job-specific requirements is just the start. Remote employers indeed want candidates with industry knowledge and the appropriate skill set, but they also need to judge the potential of applicants to succeed in a remote environment.You can make this task easier by highlighting certain information in your titel letter, on your resume, and during interviews.Grab the attention of remote employers with these attractive actionsDiscuss your remote experience.Telecommuting is a skill in and of itself, so present it like you would any other desirable qualification. Describe what you did, for which companies, for how long, and what you accomplished. (Remember that occasionally working from home or freelancing counts too.) Your track record can go a long way toward easing the concerns of prospective employers.No remote experience? Try bringing up in-office projects that you handled independently. The idea is to show that you can take direction, run with it on your own, and produce quality, on-time results. Demonstrating your time-management prowess works well too, as telecommuters often must prioritize and multitask with limited oversight.Communicate your work environment.Dont be surprised during an interview if a hiring manager asks about your home office setup. Such a question helps the employer envision your environment and judge your seriousness about a remote arrangement. Be ready to convey details about a quiet place where you can focus and spread out. Or, better yet, beat them to it by explaining in your cover letter or resume that you already have a professional remote office to work from.Think professional, not elaborate- the company just wants to know that you dont plan on squeezing your laptop onto the coffee table among piles of magazines and kids toys.Radiate professionalism.Speaking of professi onalism, work to convey it at every opportunity. Submit error-free applications, respond to emails promptly and politely, hold phone conversations in a quiet room, dress appropriately for video chats, and send thank-you notes after interviews.Employer confidence in your ability to represent the company well without constant supervision will soar.Inquire about communication methods.Outstanding communication is at the heart of remote work. Show that you expect to do it regularly by asking about collaboration tools, check-ins, and opportunities for feedback. Youll dispel notions of the forgotten telecommuting hermit and build a reputation as a valuable teammate.Be prepared to discuss the pitfalls of working remotely- and how you deal with them.Finally, realize that employers want remote employees who are realistic. Expressing excitement over the flexible arrangement is fine, but dont view the situation through rose-colored glasses. An employer who receives a blank look when he asks abo ut the obstacles of home-based work will wonder if you have an accurate view of telecommuting.Recognize that issues such as motivation, distraction, engagement, and technical problems exist. Then, address them in an honest, mature manner. Youll prove that youre a problem-solver capable of handling whatever challenges come your wayCheck Out The Top 100 Companies with Remote Jobs