How to Feel Less Lonely While Working from Home
Working from home can feel lonely….
This was the main reason I sought out a co-working space about 6 months into running my Virtual HR Consulting business from home.
I felt lonely.
I missed seeing co-workers and chatting at the “water cooler.”
As a Virtual HR Consultant & Leadership Coach, a self-proclaimed introvert, and someone who is a huge supporter of remote work for employees’ overall well-being, I still found working from home 100% of the time to be super lonely!
I craved human connection in my workspace. At least some of the time.
I had heard of “co-working” spaces from a friend who has worked from home nearly her entire career. She video-called me once from her co-working space, and in the background, I could see people working on laptops and chatting over coffee.
I was totally intrigued.
And it made me want my own co-working space.
I was lucky enough to find an awesome co-working space, MERGE, which is about 30 minutes from my home.
What did I love about my new co-working space?
Feeling motivated by the “buzz” of work happening around me
Connecting and sharing resources with others
The ability to “co-work” only some of the time
And of course, the coffee
And then COVID happened…..
With my need to socially distance, I stopped going to the MERGE co-working space. At first it was ok (again, I’m an introvert by nature), but about 3 months in without co-working, I totally missed it!
I felt lonely again.
Enter Virtual Co-Working
I saw a post from one of my favorite authors who was providing “Virtual Co-working” sessions to anyone who wanted to join. I was totally intrigued and decided to check it out.
I immediately enjoyed Virtual Co-working. I got more work done in my first Virtual Co-Working session than I ever would have gotten done while working alone.
With videos on, I felt motivated by the “buzz” of work happening around me.
I loved Virtual Co-Working so much that I started hosting Virtual Co-Working for MERGE members who are currently working from home. I also join my friend’s bi-monthly Virtual Co-Working sessions whenever I can.
By sharing goals and intentions before launching into uninterrupted work and by celebrating accomplishments at the end, I am way more externally accountable and productive when I am Virtually Co-Working.
And, Virtual Co-Working helps me feel less lonely.
As an HR Consultant who is consistently looking for ways to help my clients build engaged remote teams, I have found Virtual Co-Working to be a great way to start developing a remote organizational culture and to keep remote employees engaged.
Why You And Your Team Should Try Virtual Co-Working
Increases external accountability and productivity through facilitated goal setting and accomplishment sharing
Creates connection and resource sharing among remote employees
Helps you develop your organization’s remote organizational culture
Is a way for you and employees to have fun, feel more connected, and feel less lonely
Do you want to learn more about how to implement Virtual Co-Working?
Download the Free “How to Set Up Virtual Co-Working” E-Guide
When you download the Free Virtual Co-Working E-Guide, you receive:
A step-by-step outline for how to host an effective Virtual Co-Working Session
How to make Virtual Co-Working an activity that is based in employee empowerment
Recommended technology/systems to use to increase remote worker communication
Have questions? Email me at Skye@skyehrconsulting.com or click here to schedule a Complimentary HR Discovery Call.
Ways to Work with Skye
Monthly HR Consulting: On-demand monthly contracted HR services customized to meet your business needs. Quickly offload HR tasks to an experienced consultant.
Leadership Training: Interactive in-person or online training tailored to your organization. Build leadership skills with relevant HR & leadership training.
Employee Handbooks: Handbooks tailored to your organization’s unique values and focused on reducing State and Federal compliance risk.
HR Strategy Session: Get quick answers to your HR questions from an HR pro. Receive expert guidance and a clear plan of action to resolve your immediate HR issues.
Leadership Coaching: Individualized, results-oriented coaching to help you achieve your career goals. Plus Career Coaching & Resume Writing for job seekers.
HR Special Projects: Impartial personnel Investigations, on-demand recruitment & onboarding, compensation planning, & more.
