fulfilling life that aligns with your spirit
Coaching Tip: Are You Too Isolated?
Published on 22 Sep 2008 at 6:01 am.
12 Comments.
Filed under Business Development,Coaching Tips,Feature Articles,Personal Development Strategies.
Over the years many people have started home-based businesses to become their primary income source so that they can quit their full-time jobs. You might be a stay-at-home mom raising young children. Others may have an office in their home to run their business or practice.
I’ve had an office in my home for over twenty years. I used to have a second office that I traveled to three days a week. About ten years ago, I decided to only work from my home office. Because most of the work I do is by phone, I can walk to my office in about 20 seconds and coach people in my pajamas while I sit outside on my porch. Pretty cool, right? I agree.
Here’s the downside. Self-motivation, focus, and self-discipline can slide when you make your own hours. Another biggy is becoming too isolated if your business is not dependent on heavy local prospecting for new clients. If you spend a lot of time in your office on the phone or working online, days can go by before you leave your home!
I used to do a ton of networking and speaking a few years back and I was out quite a bit meeting new people every week. With my focus on building a global business, most of my time is spent online which has dramatically cut down my local networking. That is something I am re-evaluating.
Becoming too isolated can have a negative affect on your business and personal life. According to Abraham Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs”, making connections with others fulfills important social needs of feeling loved and having a sense of belonging.
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Maslow says the first four layers indicate deficiency needs. If they are unmet, people feel anxious and tense. Read more about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow’s_hierarchy_of_needs
When was the last time you physically met someone new or did something social?
Do you spend too much time alone?
Are you too isolated?
If you answered yes (like me), intentionally look for opportunities to get out of your house and meet new people. Attend networking meetings, workshops, lectures, social gatherings, join a group or class, meet someone new for a cup of coffee….. That’s one of my commitments for the fall.
Making new connections fulfills many needs – physically, emotionally, psychologically, mentally, and spiritually. Keep on eye on becoming too isolated. It’s easy to get comfortable hanging out in your home especially if you’re a homebody. Be sure you’re making space and time to build new business relationships and socialize with others!
GreatManagement on 22 Sep 2008 at 8:50 am: 1
Great post, Lorraine.
Working from home can be isolating. I know that, I’ve been there!
A few months ago, I had the privilege of interviewing Christine Comaford-Lynch (author of Rules For Renegades). We had a blast!
One of the things I learned from Christine is have ‘fun’, ‘relationship’ and ‘appreciation’ goals.
So my wife and I have a goal to do something social and fun every week.
I have a goal to build a new relationship every month.
In addition, I have a goal to appreciate someone every single day.
Having those goals gets me out!
Andrew
Mark McCullagh on 22 Sep 2008 at 9:17 am: 2
I’ve had the exact same thoughts recently Lorraine. I need to make the effort to get out more.
However, I do have the advantage of being able to do a lot of socializing at my full-time job.
Evelyn Lim on 22 Sep 2008 at 11:49 am: 3
I realize that my internet “addiction” can keep me home. On top of sending my kids to/from classes, I make it a point to regularly meet up with others over the weekend and sometimes, friends during the weekdays. I also set aside time to attend follow-up workshops so that I can meet more like-minded friends.
What you say is true. If no concerted effort is made, I can easily turn into a hermit.
lorraine on 22 Sep 2008 at 11:53 am: 4
Fabulous advice Andrew
I love your goal of finding someone to appreciate every day.
It also nice when you have someone sharing the goal of socializing. I think I need a buddy!
Thanks for adding your thoughts
lorraine on 22 Sep 2008 at 11:57 am: 5
The internet can definitely be addictive Evelyn
That’s great that you schedule time for personal growth and socializing. I admit I have been working too much at home, mostly because I’ve been creating my new program, Insider Tips to Shine As a Radio Guest.
No excuses though. While I still have details to handle, I am taking time to sit out on my porch and appreciate nature. This weekend I’m at a 3-day training so I’ll be with some new people.
Gotta stay on that!
lorraine on 22 Sep 2008 at 8:19 pm: 6
Having a full-time job with people around makes a difference Mark
To your point, having many avenues to interact with folks is important.
I’m nudging myself on this one!
Cheers,
Lorraine
Kathleen Gage on 23 Sep 2008 at 9:11 am: 7
Great post Lorraine. It’s amazing how isolated many people do become. I have subjected myself to this in the past.
What I do to not let this happen is make commitments to get out in my community, share time with family, travel, exercise, play with my animals (there’s lots of four legged critters in my family), and attend spiritual happenings.
At this point in my life and career I spend a fair amount of my “out of the office and home” time involved with my spiritual center. I sit on the marketing team, visioning team and regularly attend Sunday services and various classes that are offered.
It makes a huge difference to the state of mind to get out and socialize.
I also have a wonderful circle of friends who share quality time playing cards, having dinner, going to the beach, helping one another with projects around the home and just getting together.
In that my business is almost 100% Internet based, I do find that taking time away from business during the day to meet someone for coffee or lunch is not prudent on my part. I live in a rural community which makes a trip to the “big city” of Eugene time consuming.
I have my work time, family time, play time, exercise time and quiet time.
Thanks for the post Lorraine. A topic that is seldom talked about, but one that is necessary for all of us who work at home to evaluate.
Kathleen Gage
The Street Smarts Marketer
Tim Brownson on 23 Sep 2008 at 1:23 pm: 8
I have definitely found this a problem when I started as a coach back in the UK.
I went from being in a very team orientated sales environment to one of working solely from home and struggled
It’s not so much a problem now as I see my clients as ‘my team’ and will sometimes go and sit in a Starbucks or Panera Bread to work if I want to shake things up a bit.
lorraine on 23 Sep 2008 at 1:27 pm: 9
That’s a great way to combine work and getting out Tim
I believe when we stay aware of how we schedule out work days, we can add activities that will support socializing especially if we work for ourselves.
Warmly,
Lorraine
lorraine on 23 Sep 2008 at 1:30 pm: 10
You’ve taken the importance of socializing to heart Kathleen
I love the diversity of the things you make time for – adds different kinds of stumulation that bring a lot of flavor to life. You’re a great model of the ability of having it all – all that is of value to you!
Thanks for sharing my friend
Susan/Unique Business Opportunity on 3 Oct 2008 at 6:06 pm: 11
I have found that the best socializing tool for me is volunteering at non-profit organizations. It keeps me connected to others gives me a sense of contribution. It’s also a great networking tool.
lorraine on 3 Oct 2008 at 6:11 pm: 12
Great suggestion and one I fogot about Susan
I volunteer for a non-profit but we meet infrequently. Might be time for me to reassess that relationship.
Thanks for sharing that great tip!
Warmly,
Lorraine