As technology continues to improve, working outside of the office is becoming more popular. Research shows that 3.7 million people work from home at least half of the time. Telecommuting in general rose 6.5 percent between 2013 to 2014, proving that working remotely is a trend that’s here to stay. However, working from home all of the time can lead you feeling lonely and out-of-touch, especially if you’re a self-employed contractor or solopreneur. Stay connected with the rest of the world by trying out these tips.
Invest in an Affordable Smartphone
Having a reliable phone means you can work effectively whether you’re traveling or doing errands around town. It’s a great tool for making phone calls, checking your email, accessing the web, and more. Make sure you choose a phone that has the features you need to enhance your career. Options like the affordable iPhone SE include Wi-Fi calling, making it easy to contact your boss, clients, and coworkers without racking up your phone bill.
Get a Mobile Hotspot
While many phones these days do offer a mobile hotspot feature, you may want to have a dedicated mobile hotspot device instead. That way, you’ll be able to have internet access even when your phone doesn’t have service. This is particularly important for those who travel a lot who live in remote areas that might not have reliable connection. It’s also great if you want to use your laptop, tablet, phone, fax machine and other devices, as most phone hotspots can only handle up to five devices at a time.
Stay in Touch with Coworkers
The best part of working in an office is having a personal connection with your coworkers. Unfortunately, you lose a lot of that by staying at home. Overcome this loneliness by following your coworkers’ social media accounts and sending them texts and email throughout the day. This way, even though you are apart, you can still engage in conversation and interaction. You might even want to try workplace chat apps like Slack or Voxer to encourage collaboration between various work groups.
Use a Wi-Fi Booster
When working in your home, you want to make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi signal in every room of the house. If you don’t, you might miss important messages or phone calls when you move to a different area. Avoid this by installing a Wi-Fi booster in your home. This device works by picking up the signal from your existing router and then rebroadcasting it. In this way, the signal will be extended to previously lacking areas, allowing you to stay connected at all times.
Rely on Video Conferencing
Phone calls and emails go a long way in helping you feel connected to the office, but there’s really no replacement for in-person engagement. The next closest thing, however, is video chat. Set up a video conferencing platform in your at-home office so that you can communicate with clients and employees in a face-to-face setting. There is plenty of video conferencing software available for you to use, including Zoom or Skype.
Working remotely doesn’t have to be the end of your social life. By following these tips and making an effort to stay connected, you’ll be able to feel like a part of the office once again.
