Will You Be Lonely This Monday?
March 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
Decision taken? Plans made? Let’s hope so. Here endeth the commuting run. Are you flying solo or as a satellite? Did you jump or were you pushed?

These questions will impact upon how you’re feeling about your new venture. Working from home means no more queuing on motorways and urban freeways or launching yourself into the throng on the underground and spending a couple of hours just ‘getting there’.
It’s your big chance to create what you want in your life. It’ll be as exciting and successful as YOU make it. Assuming you have thought things through, you will already have considered most aspects of working from home.
Here’s the biggie – are you extravert or introvert? The euphoria of striding to your desk in your pyjamas (not recommended!) may be short lived if you need a strong daily dose of social interaction with your coffee.
You may be shocked by how much you relied on contact with colleagues and commuters. You may even miss the mutual moan about the weather and other potentially non-lifethreatening topics. Have a plan ready to fend off feelings of isolation.
Even if you enjoy your own company, it can be difficult spending a large part of the week on your own. Bring your day to life by:
- Making sure it’s easy for people to find you
- Telling all your networking contacts your new contact details
- Making some noise! Background music fills the sound of silence
- Using Webcam and videoconferencing
- Chatting via Instant Messaging

Still working for your old employer, but at home?
Remember those training sessions which were sometimes a drag? Become outrageously optimistic and look forward to joining in now and finding out what’s new. It’s a great way to keep your office-based colleagues onside and friendly. You’ll stay in the social loop too.
When things get tough, share difficulties with your office colleagues – bet your bottom dollar they’re going through similar trials and tribulations. You’ll feel supported and more in control.
Are you a solopreneur?
Slot in a sanity check each week! Sound a bit off-the-wall? Take some time to see how you actually feel. Creating balance and harmony within is key to your success. Seize those inklings of loneliness before they turn into isolation blues.
- Get together with other home based workers through online forums or start a local group and support each other.
- Take your laptop out to lunch or for a coffee if it all gets too much! Being somewhere with the hustle and bustle of people can make all the difference.
What about the practicalities?
Are you skilled in the art of self-distraction? It’s easy to fall into the
‘I’ll just , , , “ syndrome with all those little tasks eating away at your valuable time.
A seismic mind shift is taking place so a period of adjustment is inevitable. If you want to be taken seriously your need to plan your working environment.

Do you have:
- A dedicated work area – not just the kitchen table?
- Bright, cheerful décor that welcomes you each day?
- A business telephone line to keep work and home life separate?
- Computing and peripherals?
- Broadband?
- Proper furniture?
- Daylight – essential for a sense of wellbeing?
- Scanner and/or photocopier?
- Filing cabinet?
- Shredder for confidential paperwork?
- Good lighting?
BONUS: The Inland Revenue and rebate are not words usually found in the same sentence – you just got lucky! If you have a dedicated home office you may be able to deduct expenses, part of the mortgage interest, utilities and phone bills when used for business activity!
DON’T BLOT YOUR COPYBOOK: If you’re a solopreneur you must register with the Inland Revenue within three months to avoid being fined. Glory be, we want them to give us concessions, not penalise us! Make this a priority.
That’s almost it with the boring stuff but, ‘important and boring’ needs to be addressed:
- Insurance – are you covered for all eventualities?
- Check out back-up systems for your precious computer information.
OK, so you’re almost ready to rock ‘n roll! If you’re going to deliver a year round professional service, then you need to consider . . .
BOUNDARIES – for your own protection!
Let people know you mean business!
- Set your working day – start on time and switch off in every way at the end of the day.
- Stick to your guns – it’s not open season for neighbours, family and friends who fancy a coffee!
- Meet clients in hotels, restaurants or coffee shops if you find it stressful having strangers in your home and want to create an air of professionalism.
Be kind to yourself!
- Give yourself a break! The human attention span is 21 minutes so keeping at it for hours without coming up for air is self-defeating.
- Don’t be a slave to your email – switch off the alert system so you’re not tempted to look each time you hear the tell-tale ‘ping’!
- Have a ‘To-Do’ list and DO IT!
- Prioritise – you can’t do everything!
- No man is an island – contact your contacts!
- Reward yourself for bite-sized achievements – watch your confidence grow!
Oil your business relationships regularly – they are your lifeline. Giving and supporting will bring a helping hand when you need one.

You’re only human so don’t let ‘self can manage’ be your mantra. Overwhelm creeps up unexpectedly and you may need to call in the cavalry now and then. DO IT! It’s takes strength to recognise when there’s a weakness.
Imagine how thrilled and elated you’ll feel in just a few short months when you look back at your fantastic success – dare to dream where you could be in five years!
Remember, there are no limits to your success except those YOU place there!
DEPRIVED OF MEANINGFUL WORK, MEN AND WOMEN LOSE THEIR REASON FOR EXISTENCE; THEY GO STARK, RAVING MAD.
FEDOR DOSTOEVSKY

























