7 Productivity Tips for Remote Workers in Coliving

Working remotely from a coliving space can be both rewarding and challenging. To help you stay productive, here are 7 actionable tips:

1. Set Up Your Workspace: Dedicate a specific area for work with ergonomic furniture, good lighting, and noise-canceling headphones to minimize distractions.
2. Follow a Daily Schedule: Use time-blocking or routines to create structure and maintain focus throughout the day.
3. Use Time Management Methods: Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique or Eisenhower Matrix can boost efficiency and reduce burnout.
4. Cut Down on Interruptions: Manage distractions by setting boundaries with housemates, using "do not disturb" signals, and limiting notifications.
5. Connect with Your Community: Join group work sessions, skill-sharing events, or networking activities to stay motivated and build relationships.
6. Keep Work and Life Separate: Define clear work hours, set up a dedicated workspace, and prioritize personal time to maintain balance.
7. Pick the Right Tools: Use apps like Trello, Slack, or Notion for task management and collaboration, and ensure your tools are secure for shared networks.

Quick Overview:

These tips help you stay productive while enjoying the benefits of coliving. For more details, read the full guide!

1. Set Up Your Work Space

Choose a specific spot - whether it’s a cozy corner, a desk in your room, or a shared workspace - to serve as your office. This helps you mentally switch into work mode and stay focused.

Make the most of natural light, and add smart artificial lighting for a comfortable environment. Lighting designer Patricia Rizzo suggests using options like cove lighting, wall sconces, or a torchiere to minimize eye strain and maintain steady illumination.

Here’s a quick guide to essential workspace equipment:

"Having a dedicated space helps condition your mind for productivity and minimizes distractions", says Team Palma Coliving. This is especially useful in shared living setups where interruptions are common.

Keep a portable WiFi dongle handy to avoid internet issues during critical meetings or deadlines. Also, a clean and tidy workspace - both physically and digitally - can work wonders for your focus. It’s a small step that sets the stage for better productivity.

2. Follow a Daily Schedule

Having a daily schedule is essential for remote workers in coliving spaces. It helps create structure and ensures productivity in shared environments. Research shows that 92% of top performers stick to a morning routine, and using time-blocking techniques can increase productivity by 30%.

Start by identifying when you're most productive. Remote work expert Elisabeth K. shares her experience:

"Over the years, I've worked from home offices, coworking spaces, coliving communities, cafés, and even airport lounges - and I've learned that success comes from balancing preparation, structure, and flexibility." – Elisabeth K., Remote Worker

Here’s an example of a structured daily schedule to guide your day:

Pro tip: Use tools like Notion to keep track of tasks and goals. Studies show that writing down goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve them.

Writer Sarah Aboulhosn highlights the importance of self-management:

"When you're working on your own, or with a distributed team, and are responsible for managing your own time, it takes a lot of intentional planning, discipline, and self-awareness – not to mention mistakes and failures – to identify which habits make you efficient and which ones are holding you back."

Don’t forget to schedule regular breaks. Even a six-minute reading break can lower stress by 68%, according to research. Sharing your schedule with your coliving community can also help them respect your work hours and reduce interruptions.

Key tips for effective scheduling:

• Plan your tasks for the next day before wrapping up work.
• Group similar tasks to avoid wasting time switching between activities.
• Keep social interactions separate from deep work periods.
• Set clear boundaries for work hours.
• Allow some flexibility for community events or unexpected changes.

3. Use Time Management Methods

Having a structured schedule is a great start, but effective time management takes it a step further, helping to avoid burnout in coliving environments. With 52% of employees reporting burnout, using methods that improve productivity while reducing stress is crucial.

One popular approach is the Pomodoro Technique, which splits work into 25-minute focused intervals, followed by short breaks. Over 2 million people use this method, and for good reason.

"Pomodoro helps remote workers stay on track, avoid multitasking, and maintain a sustainable work pace, leading to higher quality work and reduced stress."

Here are three time management methods that work well in coliving spaces:

To make these methods work in a coliving setup, try these strategies:

• Use apps to track how long tasks take.
• Group similar tasks together to reduce distractions.
• Schedule meetings within specific time blocks.
• Set aside quiet time for concentrated work.
• Take breaks in shared areas to stay connected with others.

One remote worker shared their success with a consistent morning routine, including exercise and meditation, to set the tone for a productive day.

And remember, flexibility matters. As Sara Meier explains:

"One lesson that I'm continuing to learn from my amazing team is the lesson to lean on each other and ask for help when I need it...Thanks to the support of my team, I've become better at asking for help and delegating tasks when I feel like my workload is becoming too much. This has been an important lesson for me both in my professional and personal life."

4. Cut Down on Interruptions

Once you've optimized your workspace and schedule, the next step is tackling interruptions.

Living in a coliving space can make staying focused tricky, so managing distractions is key. Start by identifying what disrupts your workflow. Here are some common interruptions and ways to handle them:

These strategies can help you stay on track and keep your focus sharp.

Set Boundaries with Housemates
Clear communication is essential. As Reka Vagasi explains:

"At the end of the day, the main purpose of any coworking space is to provide a place to focus and get work done, so when crunch time hits, it's important to find ways to minimize whatever it is that derails you."

Handle Digital Distractions
Take control of your digital environment. Limit notifications, use apps to block distractions, and schedule specific times to check messages or emails.

Tidy and Quiet Spaces
A clean workspace can prevent small annoyances from turning into big distractions. If possible, use designated quiet areas to stay in the zone.

Collaborative Communication
Work with your housemates to create a system that respects everyone's needs. Share your schedule on a shared calendar and use visual cues like headphones or signs to signal when you're in work mode. This approach balances productivity with the shared community vibe of coliving spaces.

5. Connect with Your Coliving Community

Engaging with your coliving community can help you stay productive while working remotely. Collaboration can enrich your work, as long as you maintain clear boundaries.

Join Group Work Sessions
Take part in focused work sessions with other remote workers to stay accountable and productive. Many coliving spaces provide group work areas outfitted with high-speed internet and ergonomic workstations.

Tap Into Skill-Sharing Opportunities
Your community is likely full of people with different skills and experiences. Take advantage of this by organizing or joining activities like:

Use Common Workspaces Wisely
Reserve shared workspaces during designated deep-focus hours to encourage a productive environment for everyone.

Choose the Right Coliving Space
Platforms like Coliving.com can help you find spaces tailored to remote workers. Look for places that combine professional events with quiet work-friendly environments.

Expand Your Professional Network
Coliving communities often host networking events, workshops, and skill-building sessions. These can lead to new collaborations, job opportunities, or industry insights that go beyond your immediate work.

6. Keep Work and Life Separate

Creating a clear divide between work and personal life is crucial for staying productive and maintaining mental health. By setting firm boundaries, you can protect your downtime while staying focused during work hours.

Set Up a Dedicated Workspace
Choose a specific area for work that’s separate from where you relax. Even if it’s just a desk in the corner, having a defined workspace signals to your brain when it’s time to concentrate and when it’s time to unwind.

Control Digital Distractions
Turn off work notifications after hours and, if possible, use separate devices or accounts for work and personal use. This helps avoid the temptation to check emails or messages when you should be relaxing.

Here’s an example of how you can structure your day to reinforce these boundaries:

Wrap Up Your Workday
End your workday with a simple ritual, like organizing your desk, jotting down tasks for the next day, or taking a short walk. These small actions can help you mentally switch from work mode to personal time.

Prioritize Self-Care
Take regular breaks for physical and mental refreshment. Whether it’s stretching, a quick workout, or stepping outside for fresh air, these moments can recharge you and keep you energized.

Communicate Your Boundaries
Let colleagues and housemates know your working hours. Use tools like status indicators or "Do Not Disturb" signs to protect your personal time. Balance is key - schedule your work tasks and personal activities with the same level of importance to ensure you have time for hobbies, relaxation, and connecting with others.

7. Pick the Right Work Tools

When working in a shared living environment, having the right digital tools can make all the difference. Look for tools that work well with shared Wi-Fi and align with how your team operates.

Recommended Tool Categories

These tools lay the groundwork for a productive and collaborative coliving workspace.

Tools That Work on Shared Networks

For shared Wi-Fi, prioritize apps with offline functionality and low bandwidth requirements. This ensures smooth performance even during peak usage times. Cloud-based tools are also a great choice - they let you access your work on any device while keeping your data safe.

The Power of Integration

Tools like Slack integrate with over 2,600 apps, helping you cut back on switching between platforms and boosting teamwork. For instance, 90% of Slack users report feeling more connected, while 87% say it improves collaboration.

"Whether someone is in the office, working from home, or working on-site with a client, everyone can share context and information through Trello." - Sumeet Moghe, Product Manager at ThoughtWorks

Tips for Choosing the Right Tools

• Identify Your Needs: Pinpoint specific challenges your team faces.
• Test Before You Commit: Use free trials to ensure the tools fit your workflow and network setup.
• Focus on Accessibility: Opt for tools that work on various devices to stay flexible.

Automation for Efficiency

Automation features can save you time by handling repetitive tasks. For example, Slack users report saving 35% of their time with automation tools. This extra time can be a game-changer when juggling work and community living.

Stay Secure

On shared networks, security is critical. Choose tools with features like two-factor authentication and encrypted data transmission to keep your information safe.

Coliving and Remote Work: Balancing Productivity and Community

Coliving presents a mix of opportunities and hurdles for those working remotely. To make the most of it, focus on setting up a productive workspace, sticking to a schedule, and using the right tools.

Statistics show that nearly 50% of renters want a workspace nearby, and 90% prioritize access to community WiFi. These numbers emphasize the growing need for spaces that cater to both the digital and physical requirements of remote work.

Amr A. shares an important perspective:

"The workplace, wherever it may be, is where you focus on getting things done and beating deadlines. The home space is where you relax, focus on your hobbies, and do activities without feeling the urge to finish something before a deadline."

To stay productive, it's crucial to separate work zones from relaxation areas. Coliving success often depends on maintaining a lifestyle that supports both career development and meaningful social connections.

Platforms like Coliving.com make this easier by offering spaces tailored for remote workers. With features like designated work areas, fast internet, and communities of professionals, they operate in over 350 cities globally, creating environments where work and life can coexist harmoniously.

Amy Whitaker offers a thoughtful reminder:

"Finding those unscheduled hours to explore something new is a challenge, so ask yourself how much time or space can you afford... The point is to give yourself ritualized time and space to learn and do."