Work at Home
Working at Home Doesn't Have
to Mean Feeling Alone
© 2003 Vishal P. Rao
Operating a home-based business may let you set your own schedule, spend
more time with your children, and earn more money but it does have its
own set of challenges. One of those challenges can be a feeling of
loneliness.
Many home-based business workers spend all their time trapped within the
confines of their house. They eat in their own kitchen, type email on
their own computer, and socialize with their own family once they return
from the outside world. At first, this might seem like a welcome change
from the stressful interactions in the average workplace, but when
continued day after day, it can dramatically affect your mood and your
productivity.
Luckily, you can combat those negative feelings and keep your home-based
business. Here are a few suggestions:
1) Establish a Routine
Very often the flexibility of working at home can deteriorate into
disorder and chaos, which usually leads to longer hours and less
socialization. A well-established routine allows you to get your work
done and have time to mingle. For example, you could set office hours
from 8 am to 5 pm. Once you finish working each evening, you'll be free
to unwind and interact with people for the rest of the night without the
distraction of your business. Plus, you'll be forced to use those time
management skills which were so essential when you working for someone
else.
2) Take a walk with a spouse, friend, or dog
If you visit any workplace, you are bound to find people walking on
their lunch breaks. They don't just do this for the calorie-burning
benefits, however. It's also a good way to release stress and to enjoy
the company of other people. You can do the same thing, but you may need
to schedule your outings so they are convenient for your “walking
buddy.” Of course, if you opt to take your favorite canine companion
along, he or she will be available whenever the need to wander strikes.
3) Join a health club
Exercise is an excellent stress reliever, plus it fights against two
other common work-at-home problems: over-indulgence in food and
sedentary lifestyles. But exercising on a stationary bike or treadmill
in your bedroom won't be enough to fight that feeling of isolation. A
health club, on the other hand, is a perfect answer because it provides
lots of exercise opportunities and a chance to meet new people. Sure,
club memberships can be pricey but your health and well-being are worth
it.
4) Get a hobby
One of the bad things about owning a home-based business is that you
probably turned your hobby into your livelihood which often takes a lot
of the fun out of it, so now you need a new hobby. The best choice would
be something that required you to get involved with other people, such
as team sports. However, most solitary activities can also be used for
socializing. For example, if you like to read, you could join a weekly
book club.
5) Go to the movies
Chances are those people you love who spend 8-10 hours a day in the
outside world probably want to rent a DVD, microwave some popcorn, and
watch a film in the comfort of their living rooms instead of venturing
out into the dark, crowded, and sticky-floored world of theaters. You,
however, should resist the urge. Watching a movie in public with a group
of people around is the ultimate socialization experience. Even though
you don't know everyone in the theater, you are connected for those two
hours (or however long the movie runs). Of course, if you can take your
spouse, your friends, your children, or even your parents along, you
definitely should. But if they'd rather stay home and vegetate on the
couch, you can always go alone.
6) Buy a laptop computer
Owning a home-based business doesn't mean you are never allowed to leave
your house. Of course, you don't want to miss out on valuable work, but
you also don't want to a prisoner in your home office. If you buy a
laptop, you can have the best of both worlds. You'll stay connected to
your work and you can actually go out into the world. You can work while
you sip coffee, relax at the park, or sit on your front porch. All of
which will give you a much-needed chance to reconnect with the rest of
the world.
7) Get a part-time job
You probably started your own home-based business to escape the rat race
so you might be hesitant about getting back out there. Even ten hours a
week is enough to keep you sane, but should not be enough to drive you
crazy. One freelance writer I know who works out of her home also
teaches a five hour weekly writing course to college students in order
to rejuvenate after hours of isolation. The class lets her be social, do
something she enjoys, and earn a reliable stream of additional income.
The effects of a part-time could be equally beneficial for you.
As you may have noticed, all of these ideas have one thing in common:
they force you to leave your home. The reason is that the only way to
feel like you're not isolated, is to not isolate yourself. Taking a few
minutes each day to talk to your working friends on the phone, to stroll
through nature, or to spend quality time with your family is all it
really takes to keep your productive and happy.
Resource box:
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For opportunities, ideas and resources to start a home based business,
visit:
http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com
For more articles by the author, visit:
http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com/library/reprints.shtml
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