How Coworking Can Benefit You as a Remote Employee
Working remotely can be a very satisfying experience. You don’t have to deal with long commutes or rush hour traffic jams, you can usually make your own schedule, you have the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, and you have the freedom to personalize your workspace however you want it.
However, there are a few drawbacks that every remote employee will experience eventually such as feeling isolated and lonely, struggling to increase your productivity, being distracted and finding excuses to procrastinate too often, and having a hard time separating work from home. On top of this, an inadequately equipped home office can lead to physical issues too.
Many remote workers have found that the best solution is to use a local coworking space to do their jobs. Here are a few ways coworking can benefit you as a remote employee:
Drive productivity
As a remote worker, you have the freedom to set your own schedule and be as flexible as you want with it. But this flexibility often leads to a chaotic routine that impacts your productivity negatively. Using a coworking space can help you lay the foundations of a more structured routine that will in turn boost your productivity.
Combat loneliness
Working from home can feel very lonely after a while, especially if you are a digital nomad and change homes every few months. By joining a coworking space you get the benefit of being surrounded by like-minded professionals who can make your remote work feel way less lonely. This doesn’t mean that you will get interrupted constantly by other chatty members, after all this is a workplace and people are there to actually work.
Do what works for you
Coworking spaces are usually set up to accommodate many different styles of working. If you work better in a traditional office, then you can work in a space that emulates that feeling. If you prefer a more relaxed type of setup, then you may want to check out the couches, bean bags, and coffee tables you can work from. Or if you work better outdoors, then there are often decks and terraces you can use. Some coworking spaces even have things like hammocks, giant nets, and other unusual areas for those looking for something unique.
Work and travel
Nothing disrupts your routine more than traveling, and this in turn has a great negative impact on your productivity. Coworking spaces can help you mitigate this effect because they are literally everywhere in the world, and you can just pop in and get a desk whenever you need one. This means that your routine can follow you wherever you go.
Be part of a community
Coworking spaces are also known for the strong communities that are formed between their members. They often have activities and events that help you grow your network and connect with others. This is very valuable for remote workers because they are usually not exposed to these social interactions.
Work whenever you want
The ability to set up your own schedule gives you the power to work whenever you feel more productive. Some people feel like they do their best work during the normal 9-5 work hours. Others feel more productive very early in the morning, and there are also the night owls who like to work very late at night. Coworking spaces can accommodate most schedules, and some are even open 24/7, so you have access to a professional work environment no matter what your preference is.