As an executive leadership coach, I’ve witnessed the growing trend of remote work and the challenges that come with it, including feelings of loneliness and isolation. Working from home can be a great opportunity for flexibility and productivity, but it’s crucial to take proactive steps to maintain social connections and avoid the pitfalls of loneliness. Here are the four unconventional tips to help you stay connected and thrive while working remotely.
Start a Virtual Book Club: Invite colleagues or friends to join a virtual book club. Choose a book that resonates with everyone. Schedule regular meetings to discuss the chapters, share insights, and bond over your shared reading experience. This unique approach to socializing can stimulate engaging conversations and foster meaningful connections.
Organize a Remote Skill-Sharing Session: Identify a skill or hobby you’re passionate about. Organize a remote skill-sharing session with your colleagues or friends. This could be anything from cooking a meal together over video chat to learning a new language or musical instrument. Teaching and learning from each other can create a strong sense of camaraderie. It can provide a fun break from work-related topics.
Embark on a Virtual Fitness Challenge: Invite your remote colleagues to participate in a virtual fitness challenge. Set a common goal, such as walking a certain number of steps per day or completing a specific workout routine. Keep each other accountable. Share your progress, encourage one another. Celebrate your achievements together. This shared experience can boost both your physical and mental well-being while fostering a sense of connection.
Create a Virtual Appreciation Circle: Start a virtual appreciation circle with your colleagues. Set aside time each week to come together and share things you’re grateful for. Make them both personally and professionally. This practice not only helps shift your focus to the positive aspects of life. It also allows you to deepen your understanding and appreciation of one another, creating a strong bond despite the physical distance.
Combating loneliness while working from home requires thinking outside the box. Finding creative ways to connect with others. By starting a virtual book club, organizing skill-sharing sessions, embarking on fitness challenges, and creating a gratitude circle, you can foster meaningful relationships and maintain a sense of belonging in your remote work environment.
Lead From Within: Embrace the power of unconventional connection to transform your remote work experience into a fulfilling and engaging journey.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- To Be Successful Working from Home- Your Personality Matters
- Avoid Burn Out: 4 Mindset Shifts That Will Help You
- 6 Important Tips on How to Prevent Your Employees from Burnout
- 10 Ways Meditation Can Make You a Better Leader
- How to Attract and Keep the Workforce You Need
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.