Let’s face it: being a remote worker does not mean you have to work from home, hey, unless you want to.

Here are other setups you can explore as a remote worker:

The local coffee shop.

As cliché as it may sound, many people find that getting out of the house and into a coffee shop or other retail outlet allows them to do their best work. 

It might be Starbucks, but it also might be a restaurant, a cozy bookstore, tea shop, or just a library. These locations provide an affordable way to have interaction with people, and they provide a way for you to build a sense of routine in your day.

A misconception some have is that when you work remotely, you are disconnected from people in general, or more specifically, from your team.

With chat, IM, phone calls, client meetings, “regular” face-to-face meetings, and video conference, that doesn’t have to be true…the coffee shop is just one way you can be sure to get more “face time” with people, and in some cases, you can really get to know other people in your community this way. I enjoy the interaction with people and the background noise (oh, and the coffee) provided by coffee shops in my neighborhood, so I set aside time to work from these locations.

You also never know what kind of other business connections you make on the way to get coffee, or once you are there.

The co-working or shared space. 

In part because more people are taking on independent work, the shared desk or co-working space trend is becoming increasingly popular. I’ve worked at two such spaces here in Cincinnati, Ohio and it provided me with a way to network and connect with other likeminded entrepreneurs.

One benefit of a co-working space is that you can rent a desk for a limited amount of time—which may be ideal for a traveler or seasonal business venture—or you can maintain a desk with long-term intentions. In most cases, the setups at these spaces have quite the entrepreneurial feel. Besides helping you stay creative, it also is practical in that it provides another meeting space for client interactions. Just think how quickly you can service new clients if you take advantage of a shared space in a new territory.

Although cities including Cincinnati have their own local co-working shops, here are a few that have a national presence:

• LiquidSpace

• Regus

• Desktime

• Davinci

The business incubator space.

While some incubators may require applications or a certain business type to be a part of, business incubators provide a way for a company to set up a place where more than one worker can come together and work as a team. Incubators can be comparable to a traditional 9-5 setup in that they usually have breakaway rooms and a more formal setup than your other spaces, all with no time limit attached.

Many times these spaces have a membership fee for teams, with benefits including the opportunity for administrative related services, and a front desk person who can greet your potential clients or visitors.

A membership at an incubator can provide you with a way to naturally network and find compatible service partners, and they often encourage speakers, events, or even coaching for the teams that work from there.

Working Remotely: It Doesn’t Have to Mean Working from Home

You don’t have to work from one space at all times; it’s all about finding that routine that helps you do your work efficiently, and contribute the most meaningful output to your team.

Seek a routine and location that inspires, but where you can still get work done.

Once you become more virtual, be sure to keep your internet connection secure and your noise to a minimum on conference calls—just like you would in your traditional 9-5 office, or from the home office.

The future will mean an office-less environment, provided you can stay connected and still communicate with your team members. The future means we better “control” our own time, working wherever and (almost) whenever we want. Remember it’s up to YOU to find what works best for you.

Are you ready?