Why Fast Company is raving about working ‘alone, together’ with FLOWN
By Andy Penfold
•
Jan 27, 2025
Fast Company recently explored a question many remote workers face: What if working alone didn’t have to feel so solitary?
FLOWN’s virtual co-working model was featured as the answer to this question. It offers a way to tap into shared focus, even from a distance. The result? Greater productivity and a renewed sense of connection.
The power of presence in a virtual space
Fast Company’s writer is Natalie Nixon PhD, president of Figure 8 Thinking and author of The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation, and Intuition at Work.
Their article describes FLOWN’s approach as “the quiet hum of a library, where silence fills the air, yet there’s an unspoken connection in the shared focus.”
FLOWN members join virtual sessions that create a sense of working ‘alone, together.’ Participants see each other on screen and find accountability through this silent community.
Read the Fast Company article
Read the Fast Company article here.
But don’t forget to come right back to FLOWN and start your free trial.
Why it works
As an academic, you’d expect Natalie Nixon to reference some research creds! And so it is. Studies show that remote work can boost productivity:
Stanford University: Remote workers were 13% more productive due to fewer interruptions and flexible schedules.
Harvard Business Review: 77% of virtual workers felt more productive during critical tasks due to fewer disruptions.
“But the drawback is that it can feel like a solitary endeavor and distractions are ever present. The reality is that even having the illusion of working with others can do wonders to boost productivity.”
“But the drawback is that it can feel like a solitary endeavor and distractions are ever present,” says Nixon. “The reality is that even having the illusion of working with others can do wonders to boost productivity.”
More than just co-working
Fast Company also notes that FLOWN isn’t just about co-working. It’s about creating mindful habits:
Take regular breaks: Short pauses keep your mind sharp and blood flowing.
Recharge with nature: Watching nature scenes helps reduce stress and improve focus.
Play matters: Engaging in play boosts creativity and strategic thinking.
(You can do all these things in the FLOWN platform).
The impact: Community and accountability
FLOWN’s members experience a shared sense of purpose that enhances focus. Fast Company put it best:
“The power of presence and connection, even in a virtual space, taps into something deeper … It reminded me that focus, structure, and the subtle push of community drive creativity.”
“The power of presence and connection, even in a virtual space, taps into something deeper … It reminded me that focus, structure, and the subtle push of community drive creativity.”
