A significant problem that all remote workers have is the feeling of being alone. If you are a worker that enjoys being around other team members five days a week, remote work may not be for you. Unfortunately, I see remote work will be mandated in the future for many workers and an office option not available. When that happens, you are doomed.
For the rest of us that don’t need to have people around us all of the time, feeling alone can also be a significant problem.
As I have discussed in previous posts, being interrupted by team members can have a huge impact on productivity. I love to have someone wander over and chat about work or other topics. It does have a disastrous impact on my productivity but I enjoy it just the same. Working remote without the team member interruption causes my productivity to soar but it doesn’t always make my enjoyment soar.
Becoming a productivity superstar while working remote is a dream come true for an employer but isn’t always the paradise for the employee. About 2:00 pm each day is where I go over the cliff. The minutes start dragging and my productivity level dips.
I have no magic formula to solve this problem but there are a few things that can help. No, slamming your head through a wall does not solve the problem no matter how attractive that is. Same goes for hitting your foot with a hammer.
Taking a break and going for a short walk can do wonders. Even if it is a short walk outside of the house and around the block. No matter how tired you are, movement can help chase away the dark grays.
Calling a friend to talk for a few minutes can also make you feel less alone.
Even calling a team member if you need to discuss some work activities or issues can help. Hearing another voice on the phone is good affirmation you are not alone.
Change activity. Another strategy I have used is to switch what I am working on can help better my mood. If you have been plowing through the thicket of writing a document for hours, the feeling of being alone is increased.
One of the best solutions I have found is to realize that feeling remote and alone is going to happen, it will not last forever and is a natural outcome of working by yourself. Ask an entrepreneur starting a new business…they face the alone feeling all the time.
Gratitude therapy. What? One way I solve a feeling of being alone is to practice gratitude. I simply make my mind remember that I have work, no commutes to face, and all of the benefits of being a remote worker. When I remind myself by practicing gratitude, negative feelings usually evaporate.
Each person needs to come up with their own methods of solve problems like feeling alone. Trying these different tactics will reveal one that will work for you. Good luck!