Productivity Tips for Working in a Shared Workspace
A shared workspace gives you energy and company, but it also has more happening around you than a home office. A few simple habits turn that into an advantage.
1. Arrive with a plan
Decide your top three tasks the evening before. When you sit down, you start working instead of deciding what to work on.
2. Use time blocks
Work in blocks of 50 to 90 minutes on one task, then take a short break. Put your phone out of reach during the block.
3. Keep calls in the right place
Take longer calls in a phone booth or a meeting room so others can concentrate. Use headphones for anything you listen to at your desk.
4. Invest in noise control
Noise-cancelling headphones are the cheapest productivity upgrade for any shared floor. Keep a pair at your desk and use them during deep work.
5. Learn the rhythm of the space
Most coworking floors are quietest early and busiest around late morning. Schedule your deepest work for the quiet window and your meetings for the busy one.
6. Take real breaks
Step away from the screen for water, a walk or a coffee. A short break in the lounge or outdoor cafe can turn a stuck afternoon around, and it is a good moment to meet a neighbour.
7. Keep your desk tidy
A clear desk makes it easier to start and easier to leave. If your plan is a flexible seat, pack up when you finish so the next person can sit down.
8. Be a considerate neighbour
- Keep your phone on silent.
- Avoid strong-smelling food at the desk.
- Do not hold group conversations in the quiet zone.
- Report problems to the support team instead of letting them build up.
9. Use the amenities
The on-site support team is available 9 AM–7 PM, and the space includes air conditioning, filtered water, storage and an in-house outdoor cafe. See the full list of amenities and use them so small annoyances do not eat your day.
Set up your desk for focus
Place your screen so it faces away from the busiest walkway, keep only today's work on the desk and put your phone in a bag or drawer. Small physical changes reduce the number of decisions you make and the temptations you face. If you have a fixed desk, add a simple routine: water, notes, laptop, start.
Plan your day around energy, not the clock
Most people have two or three hours when their mind is sharpest. Use them for the work that needs thinking, writing or problem-solving. Save emails, calls and admin for the lower-energy slots. A shared workspace makes this easier because the environment signals the start of the work day.
Track your wins weekly
On Friday, write down the three things you completed that mattered most. Over a month, you will see where your time goes and what to change. People who do this often adjust their desk days and meeting times to match their best work patterns.
10. End the day deliberately
Spend five minutes writing what you finished and what comes first tomorrow. Then leave. The best part of leaving home to work is that you can switch off when you walk out.
Learn more about the community side in how coworking creates business opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a coworking space too noisy to concentrate?
- A well-run space separates calls from desks with booths and meeting rooms. Headphones and a consistent routine help too.
- What are OORA's desk hours?
- Mon–Sat 08:00–23:00 (Sunday closed)
- What is the best way to take calls in a shared space?
- Use a telephone booth or a meeting room, keep your voice low and use headphones for anything you listen to.
