Tips to #ConnectIRL While Working from Home
Most of my week is spent working from home. While typing hellos and replies is a great deal of fun, and I like having my own space for designing and writing, I also find that it can get lonely.
If I don’t make it outside, I can go days without connecting with someone face-to-face (besides my husband when he gets home from his 9-5). I love my Twitter chats because they provide fabulous human-to-human learning opportunities, but I also find that I may not really speak during the day. In order to avoid this “alone” feeling which ultimately impacts my work, I’ve come up with some tactics to keep me out of the solo funk.
- Talk to other people. Instead of relying on an email chain to communicate with a client, at a minimum pick up the phone to make that voice connection, or arrange a Skype call or Google Hangout. If you know other people who work from home, have brainstorming lunches where you can give a new set of eyes to the details of each other’s projects. Heck, even walk the dog with a neighbor for some casual conversation.
- Find and outside space to work. Coworking spaces where you can interact with other business professionals with a hello or short conversation are great for at least surrounding yourself with other people. I sometimes find that simply being in a place with others’ energy makes me more productive because of the creative hum in the room.
- Go to the gym. It may come as a surprise, but I have more F2F social during my day at the gym than anywhere else. I have gotten to be amicable with a number of class participants. We check in on each other in the mornings, asking after family, health, and work projects, and call when someone misses a few days to make sure they’re okay.
- Volunteer. Maybe your kid’s school needs lunchroom volunteers or there’s a thrift store around the corner that could use help sorting donations a few hours a week. Whatever peaks your fancy, breaking up your day by giving back not only makes you feel good, but allows you to have that social connection with other like-minded individuals.
Did I miss a trick that works for you? Tweet us @MsCareerGirl with the tools you use to #ConnectIRL when you’re working solo.
