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The decision to go independent is one I made in 2005 and one I’d recommend to anyone whose circumstances can counterbalance the associated risks. It’s rewarding and interesting in many ways, however it comes with many challenges.

Not all distractions are bad

Working alone for years can get boring. I eventually admitted to myself that a little social distraction in my day would be healthy. So when Steven Hayes and Todd Willey began discussing an idea that would eventually become Collexion, I wanted to be a part. I was also skeptical that such a thing could work in my smallish city of Lexington, Kentucky.

If Lexington can do it…

Coworking can and is working in my city thanks to a lot of determined and cool people. I’ve been coworking for about 3 weeks now and love it so far. The case for coworking is enveloped within its Wikipedia description:

Coworking is an emerging trend for a new pattern for working. Typically work-at-home professionals or independent contractors or people who travel frequently end up working in relative isolation. Coworking is the social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share values and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space.

And that’s the essence of coworking. It’s really wonderful to see it working. It’s definitely a cure for that “man I’m the only one doing what I do for miles around” vibe you get when you don’t work for an agency or within a corporate department.

Get to it

Here are some resources which help you to learn more about coworking.

• 6 reasons to start a coworking space
• Coworking Wiki
• Freelance Switch article

By the way, I serendipitously met Alex Hillman during an Austin taxi commute to SXSW 2009. You can read his story of how he helped found Independents Hall to see why it’s becoming a trend among freelancers.