Maximizing Productivity in a Virtual World

Today’s work environment makes it easier than ever to telecommute, work entirely virtually, freelance off-site, and/or work from home. But when you are not part of an office on a regular basis or all of your business interactions are carried out through online messaging systems, you can feel isolated and out of touch.

Creating and strengthening professional connections through networking can help alleviate such isolation. Building a team of supportive people with shared goals can help you learn about new work opportunities, advance in your career, and glean insights from others more advanced in the field. In addition, networking — including virtual networking — can provide important day-to-day assistance as well.

Staying on Task

One of the most attractive characteristics of virtual work is that you can choose how to complete your tasks. In a traditional office, taking time off for errands such as going to the doctor or renewing your license at the DMV can interrupt your workflow (and that of your co-workers). When your computer is your office, you can stagger your work hours throughout the day or even take work with you to complete while waiting in line.

But not sharing a physical space with co-workers and supervisors can also lead to time creep (when deadlines suddenly creep up on us) because we might not remain as routinely focused on a task. For many people, it can be extremely challenging to stay on task when a supervisor is not watching.

If you function better with an external deadline, building a network can be a viable solution. By creating a group of virtual co-workers to touch base with on a daily or weekly basis, you can define a to-do list, set goals, and follow up with your network to track whether you met your goals or not. Such external motivation helps you stay on task more, which means you get your work done more quickly so you can enjoy your time off.

Continuing Education

Working off site can make it difficult to stay up to date on available training options and even the need to continue training. Working for yourself means you are responsible for identifying all your training needs and opportunities to fulfill them.

But when you’re not regularly engaging with others in the same position or field, it becomes all too easy to develop tunnel vision. Even when trying to enhance your skill set, you might unintentionally limit the possibilities because you don’t know what’s happening “out there” or how developments in one field might affect your work.

In this scenario, your network can be invaluable, especially when the other members are in similar but not identical positions. A network member who finds a tool to be particularly effective for work can share it with other members, who might wish to incorporate it into their own arsenal.

Your network not only shares a greater variety of information from different sources than you could access alone, but also exponentially increases the amount of information shared. Even three or four people sharing insights will expand your reach while ensuring that you are maintaining a “bigger picture” mentality in your work. Plus, you might be inspired to streamline a task, expand the services you offer, or collaborate with other fields, thereby strengthening your foundation while honing your skill set.

Mental Health

Although most people make fun of “talk around the water cooler,” the water cooler does serve an important function (beyond hydration). Short breaks when working are important for your mental health, whether you are chatting about weekend plans, commiserating about a particularly difficult deadline, or clarifying today’s task.

People who work exclusively in the virtual space might take breaks to walk the dog, refill their drink of choice, or even take a nap. Although physical activity and hydration are important, interacting with others is also necessary, especially for mental health.

Social media is one possible outlet, but logging on for just a minute can be difficult: At best it becomes a time suck; at worst, social media can lead to negativity and anger.

A small network can offer you the reprieve you need from the grind of daily tasks while enabling you to chat with others without getting lost in social media. Whether you meet for a quick cup or coffee or log on to a private chat room to touch base with your network, it can reinvigorate you to get the rest of your to-do list done in a healthy and productive way.

Building Your Network

Building a network can be a daunting task for many. The first step is to identify all the benefits you’d like to gain from your network. The second step is to recognize that no single source will likely fulfill all your needs, so be open to a “mix and match” approach. Consider the following areas for finding new team members for your network.

Professional Groups

Professional groups can be broad (e.g., entire fields) or narrow (e.g., a specific position), so think about what you are hoping to gain from connecting with these groups. If you are looking for ways to expand your business, broad might be better; if you are looking to hone specific skills, narrow might be your preferred choice.

Professional groups can be active in person or online. They can be free or require a membership fee. Shop around and look for ones that offer the kinds of activities you enjoy, such as discussions, job lists, conferences, or informal meet-ups.

Don’t feel pressured to be too active, especially initially. Go at your own pace. In addition, don’t join a bunch of groups all at once. Try one or two groups at first. After a few months, you will have a better idea of how these groups are helping you and where you still have needs.

Related Groups

You might also consider joining organizations that are not limited to specific professions. Think about the tools you use (or want to use). There might be groups related to software and computers (e.g., PC versus Mac).

You might also find city-wide or regional groups that can meet some of your needs. The organizations do not even have to be related to business. Perhaps a neighborhood dog-walking group or a workout group at a local gym can help you build your network.

Learning Opportunities

A great place to find like-minded people while building your skills is through classes. Think about what you want to brush up or learn and then look for relevant in-person and/or online classes. Don’t forget to check out your local community college and the Small Business Association for courses as well as networking events.

Variety of Contexts

Try not to limit yourself to a single context. If all of your interactions with your diverse network take place exclusively through email, you might be missing some of the benefits of face-to-face interaction and physical engagement. Try to build a network that includes both online connections who are nearby and far away. (Having connections in another time zone can be really helpful when you have a late night question!)

Start Your Own Group

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Start your own! You can invite people to get together at a local coffee shop or library, set up your own Slack work space, or interact in a private chat room. Start small and with a defined set of goals, tweaking them as you reevaluate the group’s needs.

A Final Word: Health and safety

As you start building your network, remember that neither people nor groups are static. Things change. You may grow beyond what a group can offer or change careers, making your network less appropriate.

Periodically evaluate your network and the groups with which you interact. It’s perfectly acceptable to walk away from any group that is no longer meeting your needs. If members of your network ever become toxic, such as if they ask you for inappropriate favors, threaten you, or make you uncomfortable in any way, walk away.

You are building a network to get support from others and offer your own support to them. If you are feeling stressed about engaging with your network, take a step back and figure out why.

Finally, when networking with people you’ve never met, remember to take appropriate precautions. At the core, you are welcoming strangers into your work space. Do your best to ensure that they are the kinds of people you want to be there.

Networking in the digital age is an excellent way to continue building your skill set, learn about new developments in your field, and grow a stronger and healthier business through enhanced productivity. By developing a team of networked members who meet your specific needs, you can create more engaging experiences for everyone involved.

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