How Working Remotely Can Transform Your Career

[This article was written by Brighton Youd.]

By 2020 40% of the American workforce will consist of freelancers, independent contractors, and other professionals who work remotely. What’s leading to this shift? Along with the creation of new technology, a transformed office space is making freelance work more accessible than ever before—coworking spaces. Let’s look at this evolution more in-depth.

1. Coworking Spaces Help Professionals Out-Perform Traditional Workers

The results are in—coworkers report improved productivity after moving out of their traditional office setting into a coworking environment. Just take a look at some of these statistics provided by Officevibe:

• 64% of coworkers are better able to complete tasks on time
• 68% said they were able to focus better while coworking
• 90% said they felt more confident when coworking

For example, Kiln, a co-working space in Utah, provides professionals with the flexible space they need to accelerate growth individually and for their business. One of the users of Kiln, Kimmy Paluch, has found success with coworking spaces, praising, “We wanted a space where we could just hit the ground running. … We have already found immediate impact by interacting with other companies that are based here.”

2. Freelancing is Healthier

Ever wonder how you can get up and out of your desk while working? Look no further than freelance work. According to one report, 70% of coworkers report feeling healthier than they did working in a traditional office setting. Whether it’s the flexible work hours that give you time to hit the gym or the ability to work at different times throughout the day, freelancing provides a healthier environment than traditional workspaces.

3. Coworking Generates Creativity and Collaboration

While ideas don’t generate revenue, ideas are what keep your business alive. One of the added benefits of coworking spaces is that they’re a melting pot of great ideas. Not only are you able to bounce your ideas off like-minded people across multiple industries, but you can collaborate with other entrepreneurs, as well.

Even if your business has a solid idea working among strangers is a great breeding ground for creative solutions. From marketing to tech, each complex problem requires a solution. Coworking is the best place for handling those problems as you work among peers with differing opinions and alternative thought processes.

By working with other entrepreneurs, you’ll have the chance to change, pivot, alter, or run with your idea based on the feedback from those around you. Now, don’t lose focus on your minimal viable product. Stick with your guns, but feedback is really what’s going to keep your company running for the long haul.

4. Millennials Love Independent Contracts

A recent article in The Guardian reported that one out of three millennials participates in some type of freelance work. Another study conducted by Softchoice found that 74% of all working professionals would quit their current jobs to work for an organization offering remote-work options. While millennials aren’t the only group embracing remote work, it’s definitely a driving force when making career decisions.

5. Coworking Provides the Flexibility that Professionals Crave

Since most coworking spaces are accessible 24/7, freelancers can choose when they work. This makes it easy to take necessary breaks and to work when you want. It’s an option that’s undeniably attractive for professionals no matter their situation. In fact, 70% of independent contractors don’t work during regular business hours but choose to work at other times of the day and night. All in all, freelance work combined with the unlimited hours offered by coworking spaces, provide the flexibility most professionals need to feel in control of their work.

Author Bio:

Brighton Youd (Community & Strategy @ Kiln

Brighton has spent small stints of his young career in technology at Google, Qualtrics and Divvy. He is passionate about solving tough problems and is thrilled to be working with the Kiln team to build a premier coworking solution for the world’s brightest tech startups.