If you run your own business or work for yourself, you will probably ask this question at some point: should I work from home, or somewhere else?
There is no single right answer. The best choice often depends on the kind of work you do, how you are feeling and what stage your business is at. Here is a way to think it through.
The case for working from home
Working from home has real strengths.
- It costs less. There is no travel and no desk fee.
- It is flexible. You can start when it suits you and fit work around family, health or energy.
- It suits deep focus. For tasks like writing, design or planning, a quiet space of your own can be hard to beat.
- It is comfortable. You know your setup, your kettle and your routine.
Where working from home gets harder
Many founders find the same challenges appearing over time.
- Blurred boundaries. When the office is also the living room, it can be hard to switch off.
- Distractions. Housework, deliveries and family life all compete for your attention.
- Isolation. Working alone for long stretches can feel lonely, and it can limit who you meet and what you hear about.
- Less momentum. Without anyone around, motivation can dip, especially on slow days.
The case for coworking
Working in a shared space, even occasionally, can help in several ways.
- Structure. Having somewhere to be gives the day a start and an end.
- Company. Working near other people can make solo work feel less solitary. Researchers have studied how the presence of others affects motivation and focus, though the effect varies from person to person.
- Connections. Conversations over coffee often lead to introductions, ideas and collaborations that would not happen by email.
- A change of scene. A different environment can help when you feel stuck.
Where coworking may not suit you
Coworking has trade-offs too.
- Cost and travel. Desk fees and commuting add up.
- Noise. If you need complete quiet for calls or deep concentration, a busy room can be tiring.
- The wrong crowd. A space that does not fit your values or industry may leave you feeling out of place.
How to decide
Ask yourself these questions.
- What does my work need today? Deep focus or conversation?
- How am I feeling? If you have been alone for days, company might help. If you feel drained, a quiet day at home might be better.
- What do I want from my network? If you are looking for collaborators, clients or advice, being in the room matters.
- What can I afford? Consider both money and time.
- Do I need both? For many people, the answer is a mix, such as two or three days at home and one day out.
A simple way to test it is to try one day in each setting and notice how you feel at the end.
As a founder and mum, I know how easily working from home can turn into holding the business, the household and everyone else’s needs in the same room. I started LPC Coworking Mondays to create a regular place where independent people can focus without working alone: enough structure to get things done, with company and conversation available when you need it.
A day to try: LPC Coworking Mondays
If you would like to try coworking without committing to a membership, we run LPC Coworking Mondays at Langdon Park Cafe, in association with Culture Curated.
It is a relaxed, productive day for a curated group of founders, freelancers, makers and professionals. You can put your headphones on and focus on your own work, or use the day to share ideas and meet new people.
Here is what to expect:
- Free coffee throughout the day
- Fast, reliable wifi
- A good music backdrop
- Fresh lunch options on site
- An optional project presentation session after lunch, where you can share what you are working on and gather feedback
We are at 30 Hay Currie Street, London E14 6GN, right outside Langdon Park DLR station, so it is easy to reach from Canary Wharf and Stratford Westfield.
Places are limited to keep the company curated, and registration is subject to approval. Request to join here ↗︎
Where do you work best, and what has helped you most? Tell us and we will share a few of your answers in a future article.
A simple way to decide is to try a day in each and notice how you feel at the end.
