I am a hard worker. I will work myself into the ground if I’m motivated enough and super excited about what I’m trying to do. Not that I’m into that kind of thing anymore (working myself into the ground), I’m just saying that I have been known to be a hard worker. But, my inability to focus has become a problem recently so I joined a co-working space.
Let’s Backtrack
I have been working from home for the past year. I would plan my day usually the night before and then get to where I needed to go in order to work for the day. Coffee shops, libraries, or work from home usually was the plan.
I soon started to discover some problems with this process:
- Libraries can be really noisy sometimes and they don’t open as early as I would like them to. I found that I would wake up ready to work and do epic stuff…when the library was still closed. I would then end up wandering around, watching the GMA or the Wendy William’s Show. Then, the work day would be a little shot.
- Coffee shops-After a bit of t.v. watching, I would get antsy and leave home. I would end up at one of the lovely coffee shops around town that seem to pop up like bunnies. They are so cute and they are everywhere. The problem with coffee shops is they are social by nature. The baristas are chit chatting, the guests are chit chatting, the espresso machine is making noise and the people watching is awesome. Then, the internet would get spotty. Forcing me to go home.
- Home-I live basically in a tiny home. When you’re working in a tiny home and need to focus you aren’t able to focus because you notice everything. The clothes that should be put away, the one dish that should be washed. The t.v. that could be watched.
I was experiencing a huge problem with productivity and I was becoming frustrated because I wanted (want) to make more money.
Freelance Life
Working as a freelancer who is in the process of becoming an entrepreneur has been an interesting process because I’ve discovered a lot about myself:
- I can self-motivate.
- The more projects I have the happier I am.
- I never want to work a traditional job again.
- I can’t really work at home if the project needs a lot of focus.
While I kind of enjoy working from home and don’t really miss dealing with people-I do make a point of getting out almost every day in order to increase my productivity and be around people. Currently I am working not only on projects for other people, but I’m in the process of working on and launching a big project that I’m really excited about. It is requiring a lot of focus and logistics and my goal is to get all of the pre-work done no later than Saturday.
This week I went to one of my local coffee shops to do some work. I had a fabulous cup of coffee, a delicious breakfast burrito and started to work. But this time I started to struggle. It was noisy, and distracting.
I had a lovely conversation with the adorable group at the table next to me. One of them was had a business helping people write letters. We had a great conversation about what I was trying to do and we swapped cards.
That Was Nice
Then, the most annoying couple ever sat next to me. The girl, for a reason I don’t even understand, put her feet next to me..like she was at her house. WTH?! Who puts their feet on the seat at a restaurant? No home training. Her annoying chit chat echoed in my head and then the cute baby at the table a couple of seats away started to cry.
At the same time the freaking internet started to drop. My pages just wouldn’t load. I wasn’t the only one, a couple of other people noticed it too. And then, the music got annoying (it was pretty good for awhile). That was it that’s when I lost my mind. I couldn’t take it anymore.
No More Coffee Shops
In that moment I realized that this wasn’t working. I had spent $20 on fabulous tea, and a lovely meal. I had worked on some tasks but the tasks that I really wanted to focus on, the ones that make me money-I just couldn’t. I had a minor melt down. Without money coming in I have no business. With no business I have no money. With no money I have no food.
Things Have to Change
And, as if the Universe knew what was happening I saw a targeted Facebook ad for a local co-working space in Downtown Denver. I emailed immediately (twice) and conveyed my desperation in the emails. I must start working at least twice a week at the co-working space.
There are moments in a self-employed person’s life when you have to acknowledge when things just aren’t working or are blocking you from business growth. I didn’t quit my job not to earn money. In fact, I quit my job with the idea of making more money and in order to do that I need to:
- Focus
- Execute projects well
- Be able to look at what didn’t work and make adjustments
- Run my business like a the business that it really is
This is a moment where I’m just going to have to invest money in my business.
My New Co-Working Space
Don’t laugh but, I had a meltdown and joined a co-working space. It is awesome. I’m in love. It’s also very chic inside. It has several components to that I have been needing:
- Locally made coffee
- A stocked fridge
- Printing and copying!!
- A full kitchen
- Conference room facilities!!
- Phone Booths for those moments when I want to record a Periscope/Blab/or Webinar!!
- Guest pass access
- Hi-Speed Internet!!
- Photography studio/Workshop Room-I am hoping to do a photo shoot soon! I need some pictures. And, I would like to run some workshops
- Cute guys working for themselves. That’s self-explanatory.
All in all I think that a $95 monthly investment for a couple of days a week of quiet time so that I can focus and rock out some huge projects is fine with me. I do have to share table space but I was basically doing that already at the coffee shops. I also won’t have to purchase a printer because I will be able to print at the office.
I am excited about the opportunity to be in a space with other entrepreneurs who are working digitally. I love the idea of going anywhere where I get to dress up and show off my cute new clothes!
I think this change has been coming for awhile and I’m so excited to embrace this next phase of my business.
Working in Downtown Denver
I also realized that I’ve always wanted to work in downtown Denver. I had dreams of working in a cute office (check) with cute, industrious guys (check), wearing nice outfits (check!). I can’t believe that I’m checking off so many wants/wishes/and dreams as a self-employed person. But that’s a post for another day.
Big Project and My Podcast’s Name Change
I have a big project that I will begin sharing with you next week. I’m super excited about it because it will push me outside of my comfort zone.
I am changing the name of my podcast from Girl Gone Frugal to something that will match the branding of my big project. The content of my podcast and structure will basically be the same. So please continue to listen. I felt this was a great time to change the name because the podcast is still pretty new.
Thank you for your continued encouragement, support, and best wishes. You have helped me change my life. Now, it’s time to get epic in 2016.
Would You Join a Co-Working Space?
The D.O.N.E. Society
For information on The D.O.N.E. Society click HERE. Request to join the private Facebook group HERE to connect with other digital entrepreneurs who are working on the process of transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship.
Email Me!
thedonesociety@gmail.com
I would love to hear from you
I love lifestyle design. I want you to be able to design your life and have a wonderful life.
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I’ve seriously been considering a part time coworking space. I struggle so hard on focus. Looking forward to hearing about your big project!
I am about to go there now. For $95 bucks a month it was a no brainer. I will be spending the same amount that I was spending at coffee shops-but getting work done.
Yeah, if I were to ever work on my own full time, there’s no chance I would ever try to make a coffee shop my main point of trying to get things done. We have a bigger house so I could probably get an office configured, but it sounds like you definitely don’t have that opportunity. Sounds like you made a fantastic choice. Hope to hear more about how it works out once you’ve had it going for a bit.
My place is nicknamed “The Hobbitshire” I can work here but for things that need a high level of focus-no bueno. Also, I live in a really nice area with a lovely park so I will go exercise and look at the lake. It wasn’t until recently that I realized how distracted I was. I am really looking forward to: getting things done, making money, and growing my business. Will keep you posted.
yes I am sure $95 monthly coworking space bill will be a good investment
I’m already really loving it!
Awesome! I’ve looked into co-working spaces here in PDX, but they are all roughly $300 per month and I can’t justify that. I’m also moving to LA in 2 months. I work at a coffee shop 1 to 2 times a week, which I do well at. I’m hoping to live in a neighborhood with a good coffee shop, library and also have a slightly larger space at home. We’ll see!
I honestly love my coffee shops but I discovered that I needed a lot more quiet in order to focus and do things well. I am frugal so this was a big deal for me to make this change. Already I’m noticing a difference in how focused I am and I really like who I’ve met so far. The dog is cute too.
Sounds like a great deal. I’m surprised at how inexpensive it is since those places, at least around here, cost a fortune. I’m glad when I worked from home I never felt the need to be social. I loved my quiet kitchen. Hope you get lots of productive time in there, and can’t wait to hear about the project!
I don’t really need the space for socializing (even though that’s a good thing). I just.could.not.focus. I literally lost it this week and I had to go. That deal is awesome! They are a really nice couple and I love the space! You’ve been to my place so you now how I could get distracted-it’s small. I could tell the difference in my output yesterday. I felt like I’d gone to work LOL! Check out the pictures on my personal Facebook feed.
Whoa. That coworking space sounds *amazing*. I’ve never even heard of some of those features, but it was like a lightbulb went off in my mind for every single one!
Keep hustling!!
I did a course a year or so ago, on vacation days, in the coffee shops in town. I quickly learned where made sense for me to work and where didn’t!
It drove me batsh$t crazy this week. I am so happy in this space and the people are super, super nice. We are now talking about ballet. That said, I can really tell a difference in my output (in only the two days that I’ve been here). I love my coffee shops but not for working anymore.
Your coworking space sounds awesome! Sometimes I think I should join one, but I actually do pretty well working from coffee shops and at home now that I have help with the kids.
I love my coworking space! I have been a lot more productive and I like the people who are working there. I love my coffee shops but I need a calmer space. I’m feeling really good about this decision.