Is Remote Work Starting to Feel Too...Remote?

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If you’re grappling with the isolation that can come with working from home, these steps can help you address it. 

  • Identify your needs. What type of interaction and levels of engagement do you enjoy? Is it small talk, one-on-one meetings, or group conversations? Are you looking for a lunch buddy? Do you wish you had a bigger team to collaborate with? Reflecting on your answers will make it easier to determine if a solution could be a quick fix or something that requires a bigger change. 
  • Assess your options. Ask yourself questions like: What resources already exist that I may not be utilizing? What parts of my routine can I adjust to better suit my social needs? Are there new opportunities for socializing that I could learn more about and try? 
  • Take a first step. For example, if you love collaborating with others, could you ask your manager if you could mentor someone who needs to learn a skill that you have? If you miss small social interactions, could you ask a peer if they’d like to meet once a month for a virtual coffee? If you want to build new connections, could you find a local volunteer role that will allow you to meet some new people? One or two small tweaks to your routine could make a big difference.

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