Flexibility is the New Currency

Among the things I miss about working from home, is the time flexibility that it gave me. Even working within an office hours, I still had time to do other things before and after hours. If needed, my lunch hour was more than enough time to eat, and do an errand that had to be done when I had to do so.

Going to the bank, buying groceries, or even going out with friends was much easier to manage. All the while, being more productive, since I was better able to focus on work since I didn't have to worry about other errands knowing all could be done in time.

Other thing that I miss, is that focusing was a lot easier. At my home office I had a lot less distractions, and setting to be able to focus on work is a lot easier. Setting my office to my needs is a lot easier, and with less compromises that the on-site office. I can actually select the desk, chair, and stationery that I prefer using.

I don't mind going to the office, but I'd prefer to go just for a few hours a day a couple of days a week. The rest of the time, I'd rather work from home. While my ideal work would be fully remote, a hybrid model would also be nice to have. Mainly because it would allow me to change settings, and prevent me to get bored. Also, meeting with coworkers face to face for a few hours a week would help to team building.

For a hybrid setup, I'd prefer a coworking space rather than a dedicated office. Mainly because that would be a lot more flexible for to meet at an office space, while just paying for the amount of time we use it. Not only that, if being able to access an office space on different locations could be arranged, since some coworking spaces providers have different locations in some cities, and allow their users to access any them as needed. Even some offer office time on other cities where possible.

But, just being able to access an office space when needed for some hours a week is a big win for people like me that would like to have the option. Even being able to meet clients at an place like that is a big win. I do see coworking spaces become more common, since independent professionals, and small businesses, can benefit from not having to invest on renting office space long term if they don't need it.

Even big companies could stand to give some of their employees in cities they don't want to set their own offices, access to coworking spaces near their home to work from.

Personally, I'm looking to make the jump to be able to work from my home office completely, or at least a hybrid model. The advantages are simply to big to ignore.