Nobody likes to be alone (especially at Christmas time!)
Well, winter weather is most definitely here. Once again are the cozy nights of being cooped in from the cold, in front of the fireplace (or TV). While there is nothing like relaxing in the comfort of our own homes, if you’ve been there ALL day because of your telecommuting job, you may be getting a little antsy to get out (even if it is below zero outside!)
My husband was complaining of this the other day, so after work he took the car to go out and do some Christmas shopping. This is the man who prefers shopping online to avoid the crazy Christmas shoppers, but as he told me Monday night as he went out, “I’ll do anything to get out of the house.”
So it led me to give you all some tips on how to keep from going stir-crazy inside your home and avoid feeling isolated. Isolation, after all, is one of the key reasons why many may avoid working from home. But working from home does not have to mean isolation if you play your cards right.
1. Get your fill of human contact. And by this I mean people OTHER than your family members. I mean we love ‘em, but sometimes we need to get out and socialize with those who DON’T live in your house. Whether it’s setting up lunch with a business associate, or catching up with a friend over coffee, take the time you need during your work day to get out of the house and be part of the “real world” (ha!) if just for those 1 to 2 hours of the day.
2. Use the phone (aside from work reasons). If you are a telecommuter working for a company who also has non-telecommuting employees, pick up the phone and call a colleague over there who is stuck at the office. Or better yet, give a call to another colleague who may be working from home like you. They may be in the same boat.
3. Join a professional organization. Do a search on local organizations in your town or nearby that may be related to your business. They may have some fun networking events and some cool holiday parties. If no such organizations are available, consider attending a class at a local college in your field. (If you work for someone, maybe they will even pay for it!)
5. Work a day at the office. If the option is available, consider working in an office environment outside your home one day a week. I was a partial telecommuter at my old job - worked two days in the office, and three days from home. Worked out nicely!
6. Like my husband, get of the house “just to get out of the house.” Even if it means just taking a walk around the neighborhood with your couch potato dog (we have 2 pugs), or trekking to the store for a couple groceries.
7. Take up a hobby. Join a bowling league, sign up for a knitting class, or learn to dance. Whatever hobby you choose to take on, it can help you use your creativity, meet new friends, and give you something to look forward to every week (or month).
If you have any “avoid isolation” tips for telecommuters, I’d love to hear them!
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I’ve been reading this site for couple of months and have even found a couple of flash animation jobs from your listings. So thanks for that steve.
But your posts about reconnecting and managing my strees level and whatnot don’t cut it for me. Maybe some think that’s useful, but what I would hope to see at a site called The Daily Telecommuter is stuff that I can put to practical use. How do I find more clients? What are good ways to advertise on a limited budget? what should I consider when evaluating potential jobs, and so on?
If I wanted social or personal skills advice, I’d look for it some other place. Just a heads up. anyways, thanks for the listings. Id like to see what other resources or ideas you have related to working at home.
Hi Flash, thank you for your comments on the blog! I am always on the lookout for feedback from those who visit this site, and what kind of content they want to read about. I appreciate your ideas, and can DEFINITELY accommodate them with some information on obtaining new clients, how to go about getting work at home gigs, and advertising on a limited budget. Those are all areas I can definitely write about. Thanks again for the recommendations.
As for the tips for telecommuters regarding their social and personal well being as a work from homer, I will continue to write those as well - as we’ve had good feedback on those too. But in the future, I will be sure to mix the topics up to accommodate ALL of our visitors.
Thanks again!
I’m going to back Flash up, the blog part isn’t very useful. I stopped visiting the main page and bookmarked the jobs page simply to avoid the fluff. The writer isn’t anything new or insightful. I’ve tried to give the blog part a few chances, but now I officially give up.
Hmmmm, I would have to agree with Flash on this one. It seems like most of the posts revolve around the same concept. Touching on topics Flash mentioned would be very helpful to me as well.
Anyhow, I wanted to comment in regards to today’s posting - the gym is also a great place to go to get out of the house. You get to see other people and it makes you feel good!
Thank you for all of this valuable feedback! It is great to know what kinds of things you are wanting to read about. Please stay tuned for blogs gearing more towards helping you further your telecommuting career, tips on advertising for small budgets, and other work from home advice.