How To Incorporate Mindfulness Into Your Workspace

                              

Work can frequently be fast-paced, chaotic, and stressful, which is why so many people usually take to multitasking, and, consequently, risk running on autopilot to get everything done. Nearly every office worker faces a regular barrage of emails, messages, phone calls, texts, and meetings that pull their focus and attention in multiple directions at once. This can soon turn into an endless loop if every worker’s magic word – Mindfulness – is not introduced.

In its simplest form, mindfulness means awareness and practicing it offers a way to pay attention to the present moment, without judgment. When you train your mind to become increasingly mindful at work, you start to become fully present and in control of taking care of one task at a time. It helps reduce stress and anxiety, increase resilience & improves communication.

Mindfulness in the workplace is a frequently discussed topic among businesses to help reduce stress – a dominant cause of employee disengagement that can also hinder productivity. Based on a study conducted by The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, more than half of the 550 million working days lost every year from absenteeism are stress-related.

While these statistics are shocking, the good news is that office environment doesn’t have to be a catalyst for poor mental well-being. It can be literally the opposite, promoting mindfulness and positivity all driven by the idea that – “Better buildings can lead to healthier people”.

Whether you work from office full-time or even from a flexible shared office space, creating a mindful workspace can make you much more focused and energetic. This is why it’s so essential to establish or look out for an environment conducive for you to knuckle down and do your work.

In other words, gearing your space to promote mindful working can have tremendous benefits for your job performance and directly affect the bottom line of your company.

While there are numerous ways to incorporate mindfulness into the workplace, employers must first set sight at the physical office environment they have created for their employees. Alternatively, this could be a way of looking at reputed fully furnished office spaces for rent and ensuring these elements are fit in.

Keeping that in mind, here are three simple solutions to look out for, so you are fully present and engaged:

1. Easy Furniture

Office furniture is one of the primary influencers of mental health within the workplace. It won’t come as a shock to know that the human body isn’t designed to be sitting down for 8 hours a day. Combine this with poor posture and ineffective furniture, the effects are pretty negative.

Check to see whether your shared space has standing desks and ergonomic task chairs. An additional benefit is furnishings “closer-to-home” such as sofas and coffee tables to provide employees with different seating options.

This allows posture to be varied throughout the day and encourages you to get up and move around whilst making the office feel more like home and promoting a more relaxed atmosphere.

2. Create A Space For Employees To Unwind

The term “meditate” can be used interchangeably with any other number of verbs – decompress, unwind, regroup. What’s important is the facilitation of your space that is conducive to doing so.

One of the fundamental principles of mindful office design is creating the ability to escape the stress and distractions of the typical workspace by focusing on the present moment. A designated quiet space will allow employees to practice mindfulness in whatever capacity they see fit – from breathing to eating to being actively mindful of the peace.

In a serviced office space, this might look like intuitively designed breakout rooms.

3. Create Calming Spaces

A calming space can be as simple as the materials, textures, colours, lighting, and views. Spaces that provide ample natural light can have a calming effect on the mind. A mix of materials – like wood, “green walls” and exposed brick – mixed with calming colours in décor and the right textiles on furniture can make a designated workspace into a welcome retreat within the office. ....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

Plug And Play Offices – Here’s All You Need To Know About Them!

 

Let us begin with an analogy. At one point in India, not so very long ago, the metropolitan crowd was brought face-to-face with a new concept – shared cabs. This initially faced a lot of resistance because travelling with strangers was, of course, not a very welcome experience in India.

This meant stepping out of one’s comfort zone! Soon some early adopters or people who were tired of their daily hassle to commute took the feared leap outside of their comfort zone.

They were first to catch a glimpse of life in shared cabs, and through word of mouth, this concept started selling like crazy. And where we stand today, hiring individual cabs is often seen as a luxury most people are willing to forego.

Similarly, coming back to the concept of plug and play offices. Why would it make sense to rent a complete office if you have a team of only five or smaller and just starting up? Moreover, what if you are a freelancer? Why think of renting an office or work at home when you can share an incredible office space while only paying for your workstation? Makes sense, right?

Coworking. Shared Office Space. Plug-and-play offices. This is what you’re looking for. This relatively new but growing concept of dynamic shared office spaces, similar to shared cabs, lets you come into work without worrying about any other infrastructural requirements.

All these offices are fully furnished and full of amenities that you may require across your business day. This includes well-furnished cabinets with executive cabins, receptions, workstations, spacious lobby, 24/7 electricity and generator backup, high-speed internet, fully air-conditioned office, and so much more!

Who Would need a Plug & Play Office?

Almost every brand looks out for office space at some point in time. Consider if your company is going through a growth period or downsizing, or you’re just beginning and aspire to establish your credibility with clients, a plug and play office is an excellent place to start. Entrepreneurs and small business owners generally use these ready-to-go office spaces because of the affordability and flexible lease options that come along.

Whether it’s making the shift from working out of your home to an upscale furnished office space, it’s essential to find the right one that suits your style. Let’s look at some benefits that you would get opting for a plug and play office:

EASY OFFICE SETUP

With Plug and Play offices, you can begin working the moment you find a space that appeals to you. Unlike regular offices, you don’t need to worry about furnishing the space, getting it painted, setting up infrastructure, etc. All you need to do is give your team the new address and plug your systems in.

STAY FLEXIBLE

Unlike other rent offices that demand many months’ rent in advance and other restrictive terms and conditions, you only pay for the cabins and workspaces you require based on how long you need them, i.e., flexible terms.

There are no additional brokerage fee either. The absence of long-winded contracts means that you can even flexibly upgrade or change your package whenever unexpected business situations crop up like hiring new team members.

SIMPLIFY YOUR EXPENSES

With a Plug and Play office, infrastructural support like electricity, high-speed internet, office maintenance, etc. is not something you need to think about. You also don’t need to worry about paying for coffee machines, printers, telephones, air conditioners etc. These are benefits that come inclusive of such coworking spaces and are free to use whenever you need.

GROW YOUR NETWORK

In a traditional office set up, while many companies share spaces in the same building, you might hardly get the chance to interact with others. Plug and Play offices ....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

What makes your company a great place to work for?

 

This is a question that has recently been making the rounds of many aspirational organizations who strive to achieve Top Workplace status. This increase in frequency recognizes and points at a growing shift in the overall industry from profitability to personability.

Today, progressive companies have evolved in their understanding of what it takes to make the employee experience more humane, engaging, positive, and fulfilling. The ways to achieve this can be as varied as excellent company culture to innovative plug and play offices for rent.

Considering the multitude of factors present, there are a few key ways in which an aspiring company can aim to achieve excellence:

1.Office Space:

This is by no means something that can be overlooked. Could it be a possible coincidence that some of the best companies to work also happen to have the best-looking offices? The easiest way to do this is, consider a reputed plug and play office for rent. Hand over this important responsibility to them and let the experts handle the rest!

Innovative and creative office space designs have been proven to increase productivity and boost workers mood. Even a simple component like an innovative breakout space can help to break the monotony of cubicles.

Some of the other advantages that come along with a plug and play office space come in the form of numerous amenities like access to complimentary meeting rooms, business support services, access to events and a well-stocked pantry. Your employees will indeed thank you later.

2.Culture:

An organization’s culture comprises the values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that employees share and use daily in their work. This culture determines how employees describe where they work, how they understand the business, and how they see themselves as part of the organization.

Culture is also a driver of decisions, actions, and ultimately the overall performance of the organization. An influential culture offers mutual support, promotes trust, rewards employees’ efforts, and ensures that employees know their work is meaningful.

3.Professional growth:

A good company have managers who look for ways to match their employees’ skills and passions with the organization’s needs. They do this by frequently interacting with their direct reports. They notice what the employee is good at doing.

They find out what their employees are interested in learning or accomplishing, and they help advance careers by promoting their strengths.

4.People:

Employees in your company should trust the people they work for and have confidence that they would be treated fairly, with respect and honesty. Trust is a powerful retention tool, and companies should honour that fact. And the path to that?

Clear and straightforward communication. In this case, coworking spaces and other shared office space providers have the upper hand. This is because the arrangement of the workspace is designed to facilitate an open communication flow.

For example, an inspiring meeting room that helps bring out the ideas! Working with supportive people and understanding fosters personal connections and professional growth.

5.Challenging work:

An experienced employer knows that challenging work is a tool of motivation. People inherently want to be challenged so they can continually grow and learn new skills. Great companies expect their employees to rise to challenges and be completely engaged.

A good company allows its employees to make mistakes, figure things out, get good at something, and solve problems without breaking their spirit. They reward and celebrate successes while encouraging their employees to stretch their skills and their capabilities.

It’s quite simple. The best companies are those who genuinely focus on inspiring the best from their people—employees who have dreams, aspirations, and personal goals ....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

Embodying culture in your workspace

 

There is a lot of buzz surrounding the word “culture” and its significance in an organization. Culture is built on a company’s mission and core values. It represents what a company stands for, both within its walls and to the outside world.

If a company lacks a solid mission and goal, or has strayed away from its original mission, then it’s difficult to have all your efforts line up. This affects people at every level of management. On the other hand, if your entire team is aligned towards a clear common purpose, that drives them to work dedicatedly no matter where they’re sitting, or how they’re scheduling their work.

Office design is a crucial element that must also reflect the company culture. But to no surprise, here is where most companies face challenges.

Organizational heads are often too deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of a company and dealing with larger questions like revenue to be able to spare time towards a well-designed office space.

In cases like these, the easiest option to go with is to let a professional office space provider handle the office requirements leaving you free to focus on your priorities.

When it comes to envisioning your office space, keep the following six points in mind:

1. Every organization has a distinct personality, whether intentional or accidental. Clarify your organization’s purpose and communicate this with your shared office space provider — how do you want them to distil it into a space that reflects your set of values? A glitzy floor-to-ceiling multimedia display or a touch of greenery- what sounds best for you?
2. Say for example, if your company markets activewear and your marketing campaigns emphasize joy and fun, it does not make sense to have a formal office ambience. Instead, prefer a contemporary look and feel, with brighter colors and built-in features that inspire movement.

Bringing the inside and outside together reinforces that sense of purpose while motivating people to do their best.

3. Most people want to be a part of something larger themselves, so why not make it easy? Think of a dynamic café space, casual work lounges or collaboration benches, most of which is what attracts enterprises to state-of-the-art coworking spaces.

This might just spur accidental encounters, instant collaboration, and cultivate a “we’re all in this together” feeling.

4. It happens all the time: A company invests in an excellent workplace for its particular workforce, and it works very well. Fast-forward to five or ten years later, the design appears outdated. This may give off the impression that your company has stopped moving forward.

Commit to refreshing the workplace periodically to maintain a high engagement level for each incoming generation of workers. It does not mean a complete overhaul, but a selective update to key features or colour schemes.

5. There is nothing more disappointing than enjoying a dynamic and exciting lobby, only to find bland rows of cookie-cutter cubicles inside the office. Instead, consider all spaces to be deserving of attention, whether inside, outside, public or private, shared or individual.

Do you want your team to be sitting in a certain way? Does that help improve the workflow? Modern shared office spaces can also help customize every aspect of your entire workspace.

6. How easy or difficult is it to actually work in the space? You might be surprised how often companies neglect checking out for essentials like ensuring enough power outlets. Pay attention to where restrooms are located and how often they are cleaned.

Enquire if there’s a mobile app that employees can use to reserve a workplace or meeting room, or request a computer repair. Concierge services are also making a comeback, enabling employees to take care of life and fun without skipping a beat during their workday.

The fact is, office design and workplace practices ....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

Are You A Freelancer? This Is Why You Need A Coworking Space Over Home And Coffee Shops!

The Freelance Economy, otherwise popularly known as the Gig Economy, is a far more specified sector than we would like to believe, as per a Boston Consulting Group study. As a freelancer, gig work represents a path to more meaningful work, greater flexibility and added autonomy.

For many, it’s a brilliant thought not to have an office to work in. It directly translates to dealing with less traffic, planning, and distractions! You get freedom, work on what you want, when you want and even where you want!

However, there is danger in substituting your home – the place where you relax with your loved ones – as the place you work out of. Many don’t even have dedicated office spaces or realistically cannot afford to. A home is where you fall asleep on the couch without a second thought in the middle of your latest series craze, the place where you switch off your brain and regroup. Is it a good idea to make it your office space too?

As enticing as working in pyjamas sound, here are 6 reasons why a constructive and efficient working space in collaborative environments rocks!

A change for the future, enter Coworking spaces.

1. It’s All About The Money

Monthly rates to rent a seat in coworking spaces tend to start at pretty cheap rates. Although they can range up to more expensive packages, they’re still significantly less expensive than renting your own office space, hauling in all your equipment, and paying the bills.

2. Engage In A Community Of Digital Nomads

The community dynamics of the coworking experience is often hailed as its most significant advantage. For most freelancers, working from home can prove to be a lonely experience, and the lack of human connection, unlike working in traditional offices leaves a considerable gap to fill.

Not only do bustling coworking spaces help bring like-minded people together, but it also presents a great place to network. Imagine you specialize in finance. You share a coworking space with someone who works in legal services; this could lead to exciting new insights into the industry and perhaps even new clients.

3. Take Advantage of Those Coworking Amenities

Most offices are equipped with plenty of amenities and services that you, as a freelancer, may not have the budget or space to provide for yourself. These facilities range from the business-grade internet, printers, and projectors, to meeting rooms, presentation spaces, and of course, the unlimited snacks.

Coworking spaces also engage their community in frequent events such as art classes, professional talks by industry experts, or yoga sessions; not something you get in your home office.

4. Working Among Others is Both Motivating and Challenging

Procrastination is a real struggle many freelancers battle with every day. But watching other people around you working diligently in a shared office space can be motivating, especially if you get distracted easily and end up tending to different things at home. But watch out for the temptation to spend too much time making new friends!

People working from coworking spaces claim that sharing ideas and skills with others is one of the most significant working advantages. You might get tips as varied as creative design recommendations to keyboard shortcuts.

5. Commuting: Best or Worst Part of The Day?

Many of us worry that our job has us sitting down for the majority time throughout the day. Commuting to a coworking office is a rather welcome opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise and even help clear your head.

Many freelancers also confess that working from home ....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

What Collaboration Should Look Like In A Shared Office Space

A general belief hold that the internet has made the world a whole lot smaller and more connected- A global village if you may. Yes, we can say without a hint of a doubt that the average digital user has spread across the web with multiple digital footprints.

However, the more skilled we become in shaping online interactions, the world of offline interaction lessens incredibly in terms of scope.

This lack of physical interaction sets us back not only when it concerns our well-being but also takes a huge hit on our productivity. Several reputed Coworking surveys and international reports have gone on to confirm that a significant share of people’s happiness comes from socializing with other people around us.

It’s not just coworking. The source of contentment is usually indicated by

1. Strong personal bonds and
2. Strong social connections.

In simple terms, a community is what brings us happiness and eventually contentment.

This brings us to the topic we are dealing with today – how does the modern commercial office space – promote collaboration?

The coworking industry has seen a lot of rapid evolution across the past few years. They are now moulding themselves to flexibly accommodate the needs of solopreneurs and larger enterprises on the lookout for commercial spaces for rent.

From an affordable payment structure to flexible plans, vibrantly designed workspaces, even introducing wellness rooms, shared workspaces offer many services to a professional.

However, the essence of a thriving coworking space doesn’t lie with these perks but rather in the communities, which it fosters and that later thrives and sets the whole space apart. After all, if it’s just Wi-Fi and a comfy chair that you prefer, its already available at your home or even a coffee shop. But that’s not all a business person needs. Collaboration is crucial to one’s professional growth.

A Coworking space or a flexible office should inherently and must be an excellent platform for creating an atmosphere where people have a wonderful time and work efficiently. Any coworking member will agree that a space that nurtures community develops a feeling of partnership and belonging within the member.

It is common knowledge that people come to a shared office space not because there is a fixed chair and a desk for them (though this is also true). It’s more so because they want to join a close-knit tribe of similar-minded people.

To chat during the coffee-breaks, discuss new things and learn as an outcome. Experience is what makes people okay to pay pricier amounts and also keep coming back for more. A coworking space should offer just that- A community that embraces you warmly and encourages collaboration.

Healthy communities represent the primary source of support for professional and personal development. Eventually nurturing collaboration and projects.

If we breakdown strong communities, we find several components emerging:

• Common values and shared purpose.
• Rituals and shared culture
• Storytelling that reinforces the culture of the space
• Feeling of connectedness inside groups
• Trust, communication, and sharing

Why Is This Community Essential?

Because working in an atmosphere with people who think like you, helps you form better relationships. Of course, this doesn’t immediately mean that you start exchanging personal information but rather that you get to know the specificities of each other’s profession and are welcome to help each other whenever required.

Additionally, knowing a person’s casual interests or what they enjoy outside work builds a sense of connection. This growing feeling of camaraderie makes work more pleasant. Your desk and chair stops being simply “the place where you work” and instead a space, that helps you connect with a community.

The Magic of Collaboration

When people work together to solve a problem, it generates a feeling of camaraderie. The open environment focuses on making it easy for a member to possibly even lean across his desk and ask for another member’s opinion.

From ideating on a new assignment to brainstorming ....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.

Productivity Hacks for the Multi-tasking Entrepreneur!

Entrepreneurs are always extremely cautious about spending two things – money and time. Since entrepreneurs have to wear multiple hats, juggle numerous vital roles and lead an organization all at the same time.

A typical day could look like back-to-back meetings, hundreds of emails, and tackling an ever-growing to-do list. Keeping on top of day-to-day tasks is challenging, and it is near impossible to set aside time for strategic thinking.

Sure, a cup of coffee will kick in with the caffeine you need. But how do successful entrepreneurs find the time to work on their business strategy, publish books, regularly speak at conferences, and run high growth, successful businesses?

Below are a few of the best productivity hacks to get you doing more and maximize personal impact:

1. A Workspace That Works For You

This seems like an old tune on repeat, but there’s a solid reason why this is taken as the golden rule. All entrepreneurs have a lot they need to complete, and just thinking about it is overwhelming.

It begins as soon as you step into your workspace at the beginning of every week. Your workspace, where you spend the major part of your day, must be the first area which is set up for success.

Most commercial spaces for rent provide dynamic fully-furnished workspaces that are clutter-free, with the essential business amenities on hand for easy access. These spaces are also available as plug and play offices. Then create a simple weekly plan focusing on listing the key objectives to be accomplished and check how those activities tie back to achieving the goals listed for the week. You’re already off to a great start!

2. Delegation Is Critical!

Most entrepreneurs generally spend way too much time on things they shouldn’t be doing and then feeling overspent. The only way to solve this problem is to get good at automation (using systems to replace your work) and delegating (hiring people or services to do your work).

Delegation helps to keep your plate clean while helping your organization operate smoothly. Know when to delegate, delegate to the right people and be as straightforward as possible in all your communication.

Sometimes, your team won’t be equipped enough to execute a specific project that requires specialized skills. In these cases, your shared workspace can be an advantage. There is an untapped pool of talent that works out of these plugs and play establishments that could work as possible outsourcing options.

3. Take Breaks More Often

Entrepreneurs tend to feel guilty and mask it as “I’m too busy to take a break”, but the reality is breaks are good for your brain. They enable you to feel better rested, improve your focus and boost your mood, all at the same time.

Take a well-deserved break; and, weirdly enough, you’ll get more done. If you’ve taken up a workspace with a shared office space provider, then most likely you may find wellness rooms and aesthetically designed break out areas to relieve stress. Spend a few minutes of your day there — and dedicate that time to unwind.

4. Reduce Perfectionist Tendencies.

Entrepreneurs need to be creative and driven by analytics, and in most high-paced industries, these characteristics tend to bring out perfectionist tendencies in the best of people. Generally, this appears good — it means your work is of a higher calibre — but it can also interfere with your ability to complete tasks.

As a perfectionist, you like to set high standards for yourself. Your to-do list is long and ambitious. You probably want to delete and add things and midway through you drop the whole list altogether and start again.

Putting too much on your plate is a typical self-sabotaging technique. Try not to over-stress about the little things. Perfection is considered the enemy of progress.

5. Multitasking, Possibly A Myth?

Some ride the hamster wheel. Some claim you’re exceptional at it. A skill to be admired. But what do experts say?

Smart Simple Marketing published a study that quotes “multitasking leads to as much as a 40% drop in productivity.”

And this is because, every time you switch between tasks ....read more

Coworking, Private Offices, Custom Built, Dedicated Desk, Hot Desk, Virtual Offices & Meeting Rooms

We are a growing community of inspired professionals who work in creative & innovative spaces. Our vibrant business ecosystem offers flexible office plans, seamless connectivity and security. We are a contemporary workspace, A playground for minds, a powerhouse for brands.

We are Workafella.