Coworking isn't in the dictionary, sadly. Should be. :) /ah indyhall.org coworking in philadelphia
On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 3:18 PM, peter blair <[email protected]> wrote: > Eric, > Thank you for the words of wisdom. Recently I embarked on a new life > journey leaving a salary paying position behind. I learned something new > today called coworking. Along in my discovery I found you. > > Apparently the google gmail dictionary does not recognize "coworking". > Wonder why? > > Peter > > > On Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 11:01 AM, eric marden <[email protected]>wrote: > >> Not that I'll add too much more to the discussion, but I felt compelled to >> chime in. See below. >> >> On Sat, Mar 20, 2010 at 9:40 AM, Alex Hillman < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Interesting! I think you're preaching to the choir here, but I wanted to >>> come back with a few thoughts nonetheless. >>> >>> >>> Pro: Independence. You do what you want, when you want. >>>> >>>> Con: No Security. >>>> >>> >>> Working from home and calling your own shots aren't necessarily the same >>> thing. The most effective freelancers I've met are the ones that >>> collaborate...and hard. They may be their own boss, but they still support a >>> team. >>> >> >> I want to collaborate so hard! :) >> >> >>> I also don't believe that having a full time job means security, nor does >>> being independent mean a lack of security. My approach over the last year >>> has been to break my cost of living down into smaller chunks, and find more >>> sustainable ways to support those individual living needs. Client work isn't >>> the only path to income, and when you can get out of that headspace, your >>> world opens up. >>> >> >> Indeed it does. Going through that transition now myself. >> >> >> >>> Pro: Flexible Working. >>>> >>>> Con: Work Never Ends. >>> >>> I think this is something that coworking combats, and one of my primary >>> reasons to start coworking. More often than not, my laptop stays at the >>> office now. I choose when I leave the office and when I come in, if at all. >>> But I've finally broken the habit of "finding work to do" when I should be >>> balancing my life. >>> >>> Also, learning to delegate to other collaborators...who aren't >>> necessarily your boss...can save your sanity. >>> >> >> Work/Life blending is a skill most independents have to learn, generally >> the hard way. Those that are willing to go out on a limb and generate their >> own income are generally go-getters and work harder then their corporate >> counter parts (sweeping generalization, I know). This means that >> Work-aholism is more prevalent in these types of people and is an issue to >> combat. Then again, when I worked for someone else - I also put in the crazy >> hours to get the job done. This doesn't *always* work for me and generally >> is unsustainable and should be avoided. >> >> >> >>> >>> >>>> Pro: Keeping All the Money. >>>> >>>> Con: Doing Everything. >>>> >>> >>> You're presupposition is that you're working in solitude, with no team or >>> collaborators. I firmly believe that if you're independent and not >>> collaborating, you're likely to fail. >>> >> >> I started making more money when I brought on a collaborator. We split >> revenues in half, after cost. We both bring on clients and do biz dev, but >> our skills complement each other and we do higher quality work together than >> we do apart. Its fantastic and I wouldn't change it for the world. >> >> >> >> >>> Pro: No More Commuting. >>>> >>>> Con: One Less Room. >>>> >>> >>> Not much to argue with here...except that maybe you should check out a >>> coworking space near you ;) >>> >> >> I had a home office before I was an independent. I mean, its were the >> computers live! :) >> >> I've almost always lived near my jobs, so commuting has only been an issue >> a couple of times in my life. Now I just look forward to getting out of the >> house, so traveling to a cafe, or coworking space is kind of an adventure >> and a nice change of scenery. I live in Chicago now, so my commutes are by >> public transit and I get to brainstorm and catch up on my audio books while >> traveling so I feel productive while traveling. >> >> >> >>> >>> >>>> Pro: A Healthier Lifestyle. >>>> >>>> Con: The Loneliness. >>>> >>> >>> This one's up for debate. I know I've gained a lot of weight and am much >>> less healthy...but that's my fault, not my "jobs'" >>> >>> And that loneliness...well...I don't want to repeat myself :) >>> >> >> I'd have to agree here. Health depends on a lot more than the work you're >> doing, and collaboration and coworking is the antithesis to being lonely. >> >> I think the point here is that like retail and food service, working >>> independently is something that everyone should try once, even if its just >>> to see if it works for you. - Alex >>> >> >> Life's too short to stay at a job you hate, even if that job is working >> for yourself. I've known the joy of being independent for 6+ years, and >> while you have to learn a whole new set skills and its not always been fun, >> but personally I can't imagine living any other way. Freedom is choosing >> your own obligations. >> >> >> ~ Eric Marden >> @xentek >> >> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Coworking" group. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> [email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> >> . >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Coworking" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<coworking%[email protected]> > . > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. 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