How do *you* make working alone work for you??

Hi Suzi -

It's easy to feel isolated while working independently from the rest of the world. I've been working from a home office most of the past 30 years and most of my clients are in other cities or countries. I've always found it necessary to force myself to get out and associate with other people to avoid feeling too isolated. A group of friends, who all are business owners, and I have been meeting for coffee once a week for over seven years. I have another friend/client I meet with for breakfast as often as possible. Meetup has a local design group, here in Portland, that meets on a regular basis. Events planned by members of biznik have gotten me out of my home as well. I also make it a point to attend gallery and museum opening events. Other work-at-home professionals I know volunteer with local nonprofits to have some outside interaction with other humans.

I have a pretty standard routine of working off my laptop and cell phone. In regards to my line of work, I am not tethered to a location or a bunch of supplies- meaning that I can enjoy a cafe or beach just as easily as my office.

I also encourage membership in social clubs such as Biznik or the Columbia Tower. I routinely spend a day week at the library in the Columbia Tower Club working on my laptop and having business meetings, the cost of membership is well worth the sanity it helps maintain by being a little social.

Upcoming.org, Meetup, MIT, The Executives Network of Seattle, Northwest Entrepreneurs Network, and Zino Society are all decent places to be social and professional. You can also check out the local rotary club or become an active chamber of commerce member (being on a committee is a good way to meet new friends and cohorts in business)

Hey Suzi,

I stumble from the Rowan down to Office Nomads every day and really, really like it. Just getting out into the world puts a nice spring in my step and makes it a lot easier to be productive.

You should come down and check it out. The first day is always free.

I find that continuing education helps. In my field (and in every field now) you have to stay on top of the latest developments or you will be left behind. So I go to presentation and workshops once or twice a week on subjects such as sustainable construction products, and also on small business management and such. At the same time I'm getting out of my tiny home office and meeting other living breathing human beings.

I find this isn't enough, though. I need to get out of the office at least once a day and haven't yet found a good social situation for that, so I'm listening to these ideas...

I like working alone. My job gets me out often enough so that I don't get lonely. The networking events really help keep me in touch with my peers though. Art T.

Glad you found what you needed, Suzi. We are all different that way. Me, I could never function in a co-working setting, but it's exactly what others thrive on.

I'm introverted by nature and I'm most happy when it's just me, my ideas and my computer. But I do love biznik events and try to get to them when I can.

Would love to learn more about what you do sometime.

Dang, how did I miss this thread and your earlier attempt to do an event around it?

Yes Suzi, I've finally realized (over the past few weeks) that this is THE #2 area causing problems in my being more productive and overall happy (in general though, its going great!) with doing my business. I'm way more extroverted than I ever knew (duh! say some of you who know me). Figuring out the best way to tackle this problem has been priority#2 for me, and may eventually likely involve our moving from boondockville.

I envy your easy access to Office Nomads, I'd be a member in a flash if I lived at least 1/2 hour away (currently about 1.25 hrs).

For now, like Richard mentioned, I'm looking into some additional training opps, trying to find eople in similar situations to network with, and doing all the biznikking I can.

Speaking of which, I'm in Seattle all week (see my schedule in the 'Where are you at" thread in-case you've wanted to catch me) and will be at the Office Nomads biznik event tonight.

Warmly, leif

I struggle with this because I have children, so I've learned to make evenings my time - since I have help then.

Networking events, educational events and parties are great for socializing. The cafe, beach, park, or even the bar becomes my office, depending on the timing.

But I hear ya - I get isolated myself sometimes. Seems like I have "social cycles" and with me, a social life produces so much more!

We need an Office Nomads up where I am. hint hint :)

Another option that really helps me is instant messaging. I have a few friends/colleagues on Skype, and we pretty regularly type messages back and forth like: "The funniest thing just happened...", "Check out this cool line of code I discovered", "Has this ever happened to you", "What are you doing this weekend", "How do you do this in Excel", etc.

... just like we would do if we were working in an office together.

We all have an understanding that sometimes we may not answer, due to being on the phone, or deep into a task, or just too busy; so nobody gets offended if they are temporarily ignored.

We rarely, if ever, use the telephony or video options of Skype. Texting is less demanding, and easier to answer at your leisure.

I really like operating this way. I feel like I'm in some sort of a loop, but I can still work at home.

Hi Paul, I agree that a certain amount of online connection helps, but for a lot of us a)that can soon turn into the vortex of doom (online distraction, social needs only partly met, etc. creates a vicious cycle) and b)we need need more realtime face-to-face connection. IM/etc. is a start, but I for one am excited and focused on finding much more.

Partly, I think this is a personality thing (looking forward to attending Rachel Walley's Enneagram event eventually!)

Paul in fact i too prefer communicating with my clients using Instant Messenger most of the times. It's easy,fast and cost effective method to interact with clients and update them using IM. Moreover one can very easily clarify any query/ doubt with clients in real time helping in addressing an issue quickly...

Writers often gather in critique groups, a small, trusted crew who evaluates each other's writing. The writing groups usually meet once or twice a month and often focus on one theme: Non-fiction, memoir, travel writing, science fiction, the great American novel, etc. You can probably apply this to other professions.

I've heard other professions or small business owners gather in "brainstorm" groups, a trusted group of folks to problem solve and encourage each other. I've heard of peer-to-peer check-ins, via regular meetings, coffees, phone calls, etc.

And the ever popular, "That's it, I've had it. Who else wants to get a drink? Meet me here date/time. Somebody. Anybody. Please."

My weekly writing group decided our main concern is productivity and accountability. We set aside about two to three hours a week to meet at a public space, flip open our laptops and work side-by-side on writing projects.

There is some chatting, but it's on topic and includes cheering and challenges. You don't have to tell anyone what you're working on -- just keep typing. I enjoy the weekly check-in and the challenges can be fun, difficult or both.

During the week, I sometimes exchange a 5 to 10 minute phone call occasionally and 'simulate' a break room conversation with peers. ((Weekend plans? How're you doing?)) The key for me is to set a timer or alarm clock for five or 10 minutes. Also, you should find out whether someone wants to be a "phone call break room buddy", how often you can call each other (once a month?) and that you will ask if they are available when you call. Respecting each other's time and space is good.

I hope that helps. -jenny z writer / journalist / content creator

Good to see another fan of writers' groups, Jenny. I belong to one on Anderson Island (where we live) and we meet every other Saturday to read our work and get "real" feedback on it. We're small and don't have the luxury of a group for each genre. We have memoir and creative nonfiction (that's me) , a novel, poetry and children's lit all in the same group, but we're all getting good at listening and critiquing different forms of writing. I love my critique group!

The checking-in phone calls are a great idea. I don't always get around to them, but I try.

Leif, I agree. I could use more real time connections, too!