If you work at home, you know that isolation is sometimes a good thing.

When you’re working on a project that requires concentration and focus, the peace and quiet of a work at home arrangement is intoxicating. Particularly when compared with sitting in an office cubicle overhearing co-workers candidly discuss their mortgages, hairdos and marriage troubles.

However, that peace and quiet soon turns to loneliness and deafening silence (Think Jack Nicholson in The Shinning) when it’s all you know day after day. Here are a few quick fixes that help me counteract the inherent isolation that accompanies the virtual workplace.

Fix #1: Get out of the house!

In my time as a virtual assistant, I learned that although I don’t require as much human contact as the next person (everyone is different), I still needed to implement a schedule that balances virtual meetings with outside activities throughout the week.

Some suggestions for you:

• Go to the gym before getting started each day.
• Join a local networking group that penalizes you for no shows.
• Have lunch or coffee with at least one friend or colleague each week.

Fix #2: Establish ‘People’ Networks

Having a network where you connect with like-minded people gives you the opportunity to share information and ideas, learn new skills, learn about new technologies and develop relationships that otherwise would not be available to you. In fact, one of the most rewarding relationships I have was developed through the internet.

About 5 years into running Simply Virtual, I received a phone call from a virtual assistant in New York who endeavored to build a relationship with me. We began monthly chats by telephone where we complained and whined, comforted and encouraged one another and celebrated with each other at different times in our businesses. We share best practices, sub-contract and refer work to each other and partner on business proposals. We also talk about children and relationships, among other things.

About three years into the relationship, Deborah and her family drove the 650 miles down I-85 to North Carolina to spend a few days with my family and I. We had a great time together and solidified a relationship that we both believe will last a lifetime.

Here are some ways you can find something similar:

• Join online communities and listservs.
• Develop e-mail and instant messenger friendships with other virtuals.
• Sign up for online seminars and workshops.

Fix #3: Exercise Strong Communication Skills

Maintaining regular communication is vital to building good virtual relationships. Be good at initiating it. Take the initiative to open communication channels. Keep your boss, clients and work teams or co-workers informed to ensure that your work and workload is getting recognized.

Some suggestions to help you do so:

• Send periodic status reports of your open work projects.
• Actively participate in teleconferences by sharing your viewpoint and offering feedback at appropriate times.
• Subscribe to your work team’s alerts, blogs, shared calendars, etc. to keep abreast of what they are up to.

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