If you are a bit of an introvert, you’re most likely comfortable working on your own. No colleagues to make small talk with over the coffee machine, no manager to have to speak to, no board meetings and presentations to attend. It’s just you and your home office. You can stumble bleary-eyed into the office, a mug of coffee in hand, still wearing your pajamas. Ready to do a whole day of work without the need to speak to another human being. Ahh, total bliss. Or is it?
Being alone and being lonely are two very different things. While many of us like spending time on our own, there are very few people who would profess to enjoy being lonely. Loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as the psychological toll it can have on one’s health.
One of the darker sides of working for yourself is the loneliness that can occur. There is no one else to bounce ideas off or complain to when things are not quite going to plan. There is no one to ask how you are when you are hovering around that coffee machine. No one is around to celebrate the wins for the day. These feelings of loneliness and isolation can become overwhelming interfering with your focus and productivity. It is something you want to avoid.
Here are a few strategies to help you combat those feelings of isolation and loneliness when running a solo business while still giving you the space and quietness you enjoy.
Network
As a business owner, one of the main things you are trying to do is make your business visible. One way of doing that is to network with both potential customers or clients and fellow small business owners. Conferences and courses are a great way to meet other people and keep you up to date in your industry. You may be looking for ways to update your knowledge of software development or payroll systems, and attending trade-specific courses are one of the best ways of doing this.
Another thing to look for is a local small business support group. They may have regular meetups or an online forum where you can chat informally, give or receive much-needed advice and feel a sense of camaraderie that you might not otherwise get.
Change the scenery
While your home office might be the most productive place for you to work (or maybe not if that involves your couch and Netflix!), sometimes it might be worth it to switch it up a bit. Take your laptop to a coffee shop and work there for a few hours. You can also rent a desk in a local co-working space. Even if you don’t talk to anyone else, being in the presence of other people can make you feel less isolated.
Make time for exercise
One of the bonuses of working for yourself is you don’t have the commute or the constant walking between your desk and the photocopier. But what it also means is that it’s a lot harder to rack up those daily steps and get exercise. Plan some time into your day to visit the gym, go for a walk around the block or through the park, or even to grab a coffee from the shop. It’s a great way to break up your day and interact with other people, if just for a few minutes.
Being a solopreneur, you can find yourself working in your home office by yourself quite often. You’ll get a lot done, but at the same time having a little healthy interaction with others will help to increase your creativity, focus, and productivity. Incorporate ways throughout your week to meet and engage others and you will ward off those feelings of isolation and loneliness. Here’s to YOUR success!
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Executive and Leadership Coach. She is the President of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where she can help you up-level your skills, so you can up-level your income, career, business or life. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides coaching, organizational training, personality assessments, and a signature program, the Infinity Coaching Inner Circle. Carolyn is certified to give both The Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Myers Briggs Type Indicator Assessment. You can find out more about both assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net.
