Finding connection while working remotely
For many, the dream of remote work has become a reality. However, the freedom of working from anywhere often comes with a hidden cost: isolation.
Having only ever worked remotely, I've experienced this first hand. My first job involved doing Technical Support – despite being on the phone for hours, I always felt detached. The culture at work wasn't great, and I only ever interacted with my colleagues via text.
A few years later I had the complete opposite experience: I worked for a company that was remote only, and had built a video meetings platform in-house. The culture was great, and I loved using the platform (even though I'm very much an introvert) to have meetings and just work while in a room with other people.
My experience shows me that online coworking spaces offer a solution to the isolation that comes with remote work, providing the structure and community remote workers crave without the constraints of a physical location.
Let's look at the main benefits:
1. Countering Loneliness and Isolation: As I hinted at above, remote work can be isolating, leading to decreased motivation and potential mental health concerns. Online coworking platforms offer a virtual space to connect with other remote individuals, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
2. Boosting Productivity and Focus: Online coworking sessions can utilize structured routines, like timed work intervals followed by short breaks, which are proven to enhance productivity. Additionally, the virtual presence of others can combat procrastination and encourage focused work.
3. Expanding Your Network and Collaboration Opportunities: Online coworking can connect individuals with diverse backgrounds and skillsets. This opens doors to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and potential business partnerships that might not have been possible otherwise.
4. Unmatched Flexibility and Convenience: Unlike physical coworking spaces, online platforms offer ultimate flexibility. You can participate in sessions from anywhere in the world, at any time that suits your schedule. This eliminates commute times and allows you to work during your most productive hours.
5. Access to Valuable Resources: Online coworking platforms can offer additional resources, such as productivity tools, software discounts, and even virtual assistant services, to significantly reduce the overhead costs associated with running your own remote business.
6. Promoting Work-Life Balance: Online coworking helps establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. By having a dedicated virtual workspace, you can mentally "leave the office" at the end of the workday, much like you would do so physically, promoting a healthier work-life balance.
These benefits make it clear that online coworking complements remote work perfectly. I see a clear need for a virtual space that incentivizes collaboration and focus so productivity and well-being can improve without them being inversely proportional.
To address this need, a few weeks ago I started working on Knowmads. At its core, it's a virtual coworking platform, but I want it to go beyond simply setting up work sessions, and actually build a community where everyone works together to augment each other. If you'd like to be among the first to use the platform, sign up for our newsletter!