Why Working From Home Isn't Always Best
Why Working From Home Isn't Always Best: My Birmingham Co-Working Revelation
How a simple change of environment transformed my productivity and reminded me why human connection matters in business
Discover why this female entrepreneur travelled to Birmingham just to work and how co-working spaces can boost productivity for home-based business owners. Practical tips included.
I did something that probably sounds completely barmy last month. I caught a packed, sweaty train to Birmingham, paid extortionate prices for coffee, and then sat down with my laptop to work for six hours.
Yes, you read that correctly. I travelled all that way to do exactly what I could have done from my kitchen table.
But here's what I discovered: it was absolutely brilliant - and it might be exactly what your business needs too.
The Hidden Challenge of Working From Home for Female Entrepreneurs
This wasn't some fancy networking event or expensive business seminar. A friend had simply organised a co-working day in a gorgeous space in Birmingham city centre. No formal agenda, no presentations, no pressure to perform or learn anything specific. Just good company, quiet accountability, and a much-needed change of scenery.
As someone who's been working from home for years now, I thought I had it all sussed. No commute, no office politics, unlimited tea breaks, and the freedom to work in my pyjamas when comfort calls. Most of the time, I genuinely love the flexibility that running a home-based business provides.
But that day in Birmingham made me realise something I hadn't quite acknowledged: sometimes working from home feels surprisingly isolating. It's just me, my laptop, and whatever chaotic mix of to-do lists, half-formed ideas, and occasional imposter syndrome is swirling about in my head.
Sound familiar?
Co-Working Spaces: The Productivity Game-Changer for Business Owners
Something shifted the moment I walked into that co-working space. Having other people around, even when we were all working on completely different projects, created this lovely energy of focused productivity.
Here's what I noticed:
It's remarkably difficult to procrastinate when everyone else is clearly getting things done
Challenging tasks become easier to tackle when you can sense that collective determination filling the room
Those informal chats where someone mentions a challenge spark brilliant brainstorming sessions
You realise you're not the only one who sometimes feels like you're winging it
Female Entrepreneurs and the Isolation Factor
Research shows that 43% of female entrepreneurs report feeling isolated in their business journey. We're often juggling multiple responsibilities - running our businesses whilst managing households, caring for family members, and trying to maintain some semblance of work-life balance.
This isolation isn't just about loneliness; it has a direct impact on our business performance. When we're stuck in our own heads, we miss opportunities for:
Creative problem-solving through collaboration
Accountability that naturally occurs in shared spaces
Fresh perspectives on persistent challenges
The energy boost that comes from being around like-minded professionals
The Surprising Results: Productivity Without the Pressure
I accomplished more in those six hours than I typically manage in a full day at home. Not because I was working harder, but because I was completely, utterly focused. No domestic distractions calling my name, no temptation to put another load of washing on or tidy the kitchen "just quickly."
There's something powerful about stepping out of your usual environment into a space designed purely for work. It sends a clear signal to your brain: this is focus time, this is important, this is where things get done.
I came home energised rather than drained, full of fresh ideas instead of stuck in mental loops, and with a renewed appreciation for the simple power of being around other people who understand what it's like to run a business.
Finding Your Perfect Co-Working Solution in the UK
The brilliant news is that you don't need to travel to Birmingham (though the city centre is lovely). Co-working options are flourishing across the UK:
Traditional Co-Working Spaces:
WeWork locations in major cities
Local independent co-working hubs
Business centres with hot-desking options
University business incubators open to external members
Creative Alternatives:
Café co-working groups in your local area
Library business spaces with reliable WiFi
Hotel lobbies with good seating and atmosphere
Friend's kitchen table with proper natural light
Virtual Co-Working:
Online co-working sessions via Zoom
Focusmate for body-doubling accountability
Local Facebook groups organising meet-ups
The Business Case for Regular Environment Changes
As business owners, we often get so caught up in the mechanics of growth, the strategies, the systems, the endless optimisation, that we forget about the human element. The energy we get from being around like-minded people. The ideas that spark when we're in a different environment. The accountability that comes naturally when others can see us working.
Your business isn't just about what you do; it's about how you show up to do it. And sometimes, showing up means literally showing up somewhere different.
Making It Work for Your Business and Budget
Start Small:
Try one afternoon per month in a different location
Join a local business networking group that meets regularly
Organise informal co-working sessions with other entrepreneurs
Book a day pass at a local co-working space before committing to membership
Track the Impact:
Note your productivity levels on co-working days
Monitor the quality of ideas generated
Assess your energy levels afterwards
Measure progress on challenging projects
Beyond Productivity: Building Your Support Network
We're often so focused on building online communities and virtual networks that we forget the simple magic of working alongside other humans in the same physical space. No complicated systems needed, no formal agenda required, just people, laptops, and decent coffee.
For women entrepreneurs, especially, these connections can be invaluable. We face unique challenges in business, from securing funding to balancing family responsibilities with business growth. Having a network of women who understand these challenges isn't just nice to have, it's essential for long-term success.
When Environment Change Isn't Enough
Sometimes the breakthrough your business needs isn't just a change of scenery - it's a fundamental shift in how you approach challenges and opportunities. If you've been feeling stuck in your business growth, struggling with decision-making, or finding it difficult to see the wood for the trees, you might need more than a co-working day.
This is where having an experienced guide - someone who's navigated similar challenges and can offer objective perspective - becomes invaluable. Just like that Birmingham co-working day showed me the power of changing my environment, working with a business coach can show you possibilities you hadn't considered from your current vantage point.
Your Next Steps: From Isolation to Action
Right, I'm off to plan my next escape from the home office. My laptop and I are ready for another adventure.
But first, let me ask you: when was the last time you worked somewhere completely different? What's stopping you from giving it a go?
Sometimes the breakthrough your business needs isn't another strategy or system, it's simply a change of scenery and some good company.
Your Action Plan:
Identify three potential co-working locations near you
Block out one afternoon this month for a change of environment
Reach out to one fellow entrepreneur who might fancy joining you
Pack your laptop, grab decent headphones, and prepare to be surprised
Remember: your business growth doesn't have to happen in isolation. Sometimes the best way forward is alongside others who understand the journey.
P.S. Yes, the drinks in Birmingham city centre are absolutely criminal, but it was still worth every penny.
About the Author: Claire is a business coach specialising in helping women entrepreneurs overcome isolation and accelerate their business growth. If you're feeling stuck or would like to explore how coaching could help you see new possibilities in your business, email Claire at hello@claire-bartlett.co.uk
Keywords: female entrepreneurs UK, working from home challenges, co-working spaces, business productivity, entrepreneur isolation, home-based business, business coaching for women
