In recent times, we see more and more people wanting flexibility in their work schedule and stepping away from the 9-6 routine. Especially, the Millennials are taking matters into their own hands as they want to travel and are not too concerned about having highly paid jobs as the package may involve working in a stressful environment with little or no flexibility.
Human beings on an average, spend 40 hours a week at their workplace and that is excluding the time we spend commuting. This can equal about one third of our lives being spent at work, so you better enjoy what you do, right?
The reality is that most of us do not really enjoy what we do but we have been conditioned by society to look for a good job that gives security. But is that the only way? Sometimes, we need to be shown that there are other possibilities to explore.
What is Remote Working, Co-working and Coliving ?
Remote working can be defined as being able to work on your laptop from anywhere in the world without having to go the actual office premises.
Co-working is when you are working remotely and you can share a workspace with other people who are also digital nomads doing remote work.
Coliving is when a group of people working remotely get together to share a living space where they not only work together but also form a community where they barter their skills, socialize, can cook together and do various activities.
As remote work is on the rise, so is the trend of coliving and it is building to be the future of work. Working remotely can have its pros and cons. Let’s look at them briefly below
Pros of Remote Working
1) Worldwide Job Opportunities
Imagine being able to work on something that you love doing anywhere in the world. It opens up the number of job opportunities for you and employers have a larger pool of potential candidates to consider.
2) Reduced Cost
If you work remotely, you don’t have to consider buying appropriate clothing for the office environment and spend on commute, hence saving quite a bit of money. Employers also provide lesser pays to employees working remotely as compared to those who work full time in office.
3) Live Anywhere in the World
Probably the best part about working remotely is you can travel and work from anywhere in the world as long as there is a good quality internet connection available.
4) Reduced Stress
Commuting to and from work including the 9 to 6 schedule can be quite stressful. When working remotely, you can simply wake up in your pajamas, have your breakfast and start working without stress and it helps in delivering better work.
Cons of Remote Working
1) Feeling Less Valued
There are many employees who are able to deliver excellent end products but are not able to sit on a desk at a stretch. Employees generally feel that their employers do not give them value if they don’t see them regularly. However, this culture needs to change as having the flexibility to work on their own terms can help employees produce better end products.
2) Distractions
If you are looking to work remotely at home, there can be quite a few distractions and you may be tempted to do laundry, wash the dishes or play with your cat etc.
You have to stay disciplined and try to focus as much as you can and it may take a while to get used to. Coliving is a great way to avoid distractions as you will be sharing a workspace with other professionals who follow a routine.
3) Suspicion of Not Working
When working remotely, your employer can have the suspicion that you are not working. In order to beat that you have to focus to provide an excellent work product.
Studies show that most employees are actually productive 4 out of 8 working hours. Rest of the time they may be busy socialising or doing other things.
In order to avoid suspicion of not working, strong communication with your employer is very important. Employers have apps available so they can check if the employee is clocked in.
4) Lower Paying Jobs
You may end up being paid lower in your remote job as compared to your office job, but there are many places around the world where you can live lavishly even if you are earning less than before. However, you must do a bit of research before choosing where to live.
Is Coliving the Answer for Remote Workers?
The way people are living has fundamentally shifted and most urban cities in the world do not offer affordable and adequate accommodation for their young professionals.
Generally speaking, rents have continued to increase whereas wages have stagnated due to increasing competition and meager economic conditions.
Young professionals prefer to live with roommates as it not only helps to share the cost of accommodation but also in fulfilling social needs; making a strong case for coliving.
Working remotely and coliving may not be for everyone but there are various accommodations available around the world for digital nomads offering fantastic working environments and living spaces. You also have an option to pay for accommodation using your skills. If you want flexibility, love to meet new people and travel, then coliving is something you should seriously consider.
About the writer:
Yaser is a professional trainer with over 12 years of experience in working for top telecom companies and BPOs.