What is coworking?

Coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working environment, often an office, and independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation. Coworking is also 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 people who value working in the same place alongside each other.  Is that you?  Continue reading...  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coworking
This is a relatively new concept.  But it works!  It was definitely new to me and I'm sure it is to you too.  So let me share a great experience with you where I learned about this.  
When I decided to take my courses in Social Media Management, it was all on-line.  We have a great Facebook Community and I made a friend who lives quite close to me.  She proposed we meet for coffee and it turned out we had more than just Social Media in common!  Neither one of us had taken the certification test so we decided to study together once a week.  It was awesome to have a connection and share this time.  We are both solopreneurs, so having that human to human (H2H) connection was great for both of us.
Since that time, we have maintained our connection and I have joined a group of awesome women who are all in Social Media.  This has brought about the coworking aspect.   While we meet once a month to discuss our profession, some of us also meet when time permits at a Library to cowork.  Each one of us brings a special talent and different market to the table so we are able to provide feedback or help solve an issue.  
We also connect via email and phone calls.  The main thing with coworking, and what makes it work, is that we are able to take our ego out of it.  This means we have consciously removed any perception of  competitiveness.  So what other things are needed to make coworking a success with others?

• Trust - We need to be able to trust one another when discussing our respective work and clients.  There must be an understanding that what we share with one another while coworking, doesn't get shared with anyone else.  It is not up to us to talk about others' businesses and their clients.  that's gossiping and a big no-no.
• Respect - We must be able to have mutual respect for eachother.  Not everyone conducts business in the same way.  And as the saying goes "there are more ways than one to skin a cat".  Just because your way works for you, doesn't mean it will work for others.  Be respectful of the decisions they make for their business.
• Honesty - There are some lines that should never be crossed.  Never reach out to any of their clients no matter what, and when they ask for your assistance or help resolving an issue or for feedback, tell the truth (gently if necessary).
• Be considerate - Coworking isn't about getting into another person's business (literally and figuratively).  It is about sharing a space and having another person or persons you can bounce things off of.  Don't ask a million questions about the who, what, where and how of their business.  Allow them the space to share if they want to.  Let the trust develop naturally.

Coworking spaces have increased by 400 percent in the last two years because they offer what forward thinking entrepreneurs are looking for – community and collaboration.  http://www.forbes.com/sites/lawtonursrey/2014/02/25/what-coworking-can-really-do-for-you/
There is probably a space near you!  But if not, check out http://workatjelly.com and start your own coworking community.
Give it a go.   I think you'll find that you are more productive and you'll enjoy the camaraderie that comes with it.  If you've tried it, share your thoughts in the comments.  Have questions?  Check out the links provided.

UPDATE: Because of this article, and the links I provided, Coworker.com updated their blog post about Co-working and asked me to link to it.  Here is their article, which is fantastic!!  Give it a read.  https://www.coworker.com/lab/what-is-coworking/.  You can also find a link to this article and theirs on their FB Page.