Working Virtually

Today it became painfully obvious, that while working virtually, it is pretty easy for someone to be someone he is not. To represent themselves in a totally different light than reality portrays.

I found this out the hard way today, when someone posted on a forum that I have belonged to for quite some time and who’s opinion I trusted on networking and virtual business, that they were committing suicide, and that the life they portrayed on the forum was very professional and different from the life that the poor soul really led. Luckily, forum members were quick to respond and got him the help he needed before it was too late;however, this just goes to show, how isolating and “alternate personality inducing” working virtually can very well be.

Please, think long and hard, make sure you have a great support system and friends, both online and offline, to stick by you and lift you up. Working virtually can be lonely, but if you have balance in your life, it doesn’t have to be. Join organizations related to the type of virtual work you will be doing, whether web design, virtual assistance, consulting, coaching, whatever…join in and belong…because then you’re never alone. And open up to people - this man was / is (thank God) a very active person who would reach out and help anyone he could, but who was afraid to open up and admit that he needed help himself…even though so many people whom he had supported and helped in the past would and will readily help and support him in his time of need.

If you want to start a virtual career, but don’t know what groups or organizations are there to support you, go to Google.com and search, I am sure you will find something already in existence…and if not, start your own!

Don’t let this post scare you…I thoroughly enjoy working virtually, and can rarely get enough peace and quiet…you just have to access your own personality and judge for yourself if working virtually from home is the right choice for you.

All the best~

Christine

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