What I learned about the unexpected magic of ‘working alone, together’

What if working alone didn’t have to feel so solitary?

We often think of productivity as a solo endeavor—a battle against distractions where we sit alone at our desks, hoping to muster enough focus to get things done. But what if the act of working didn’t have to be quite so isolating? What if you could tap into the energy of a shared space, even when that space is virtual?

Some compelling statistics highlight the value of working in virtual environments, particularly in terms of productivity, focus, and employee satisfaction. For example, a study by Stanford University found that remote workers were 13% more productive than their office counterparts. This was largely attributed to fewer distractions and the ability to structure the workday according to personal productivity peaks.

Additionally, in a study published in Harvard Business Review, virtual workers reported that working from home or in a virtual space allowed them to be 77% more productive during critical tasks due to fewer interruptions. These findings reinforce the idea that virtual environments aren’t just an alternative to traditional office settings, but can actually enhance productivity, collaboration, and overall work satisfaction.

I actually enjoy working from home. I like the flexibility and the autonomy it brings. 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.

So I experimented with “working alone, together” by logging into the FLOWN platform. It uses Zoom to help people work together in a kind of asynchronous synchronicity. Its founder, Alicia Navarro shared with me that the impetus for creating FLOWN was to bring the same vitality and energy that Peloton or SoulCycle instructors bring into an exercise class . . . except, while people were working.

Honestly, initially, I was weirded out by the idea of having my camera on to complete strangers while attempting to get some work done. I was curious and skeptical, but a little excited.

Eventually, to my surprise, it did not take long for me to lighten up and relax into the experience. There’s a strange sort of beauty in working alone, together. It’s like the quiet hum of a library, where silence fills the air, yet there’s an unspoken connection in the shared focus. Without saying much, we mirrored each other’s gestures—adjusting our posture, sipping water, hand to chin in familiar consternation, furrowing brows in focused absorption.

In those moments, the experience of working alone, together felt tangible, as though we were all sitting in the same room, surrounded by the quiet hum of productivity. Not only did I dip into the communal workspaces but I also took advantage of the educational components, adopted some new chill music playlists, learned about the value of sitting quietly looking at a nature video, or interspersing my day with play—such as a jigsaw puzzle.

Here are three of my takeaways:

• Take regular breaks: Our bodies are not meant to be sedentary for long periods, and standing up to stretch, unload the dishwasher, or stare out the window gets blood pumping to the brain.

• Nature recharges us: Even if you are looking at a video of ocean waves, your heart rate slows down, which impacts the increase of serotonin release and decreases the release of cortisol.

• Games are not fool’s play: When we are at play we actually engage in executive leadership skills such as strategy, negotiation, and collaboration in novel ways. 

How we work is as important as the output of our work. Creating new habits grounds us in the present. Virtual group work communities like FLOWN offer a sense of accountability and community that can be elusive when working solo. Focus doesn’t have to feel like an elusive superpower. Being asynchronously synchronous with other people you may never meet in person taps into something deeper: the power of presence and connection, even in a virtual space. It reminded me that focus, structure, and the subtle push of community drive creativity.

In a world where we often feel untethered, platforms like FLOWN offer an anchor. We can step into a stream of shared intention, where accountability, effort, and new habits get cultivated in a community working alongside you—even if they’re a thousand miles away.

At the end of the day, the goal should be to balance solitude and solidarity. Technology can help us reimagine how we work—together and apart.