101 Tips for Telecommuters—Successfully Manage Your Work, Team, Technology and Family

26. Isolation Trap Avoid the (Real or Perceived)

If you willingly chose to telecommute, you undoubtedly yearned for the solitude and focus telecommuting would afford you. If telecommuting is an option you didn't voluntarily elect, these elements— along with the inherent isolation of telecommuting—are the reality of your world. Either way, you must balance the advantages of solitude with the potentially damaging affects of isolation and avoid a major threat to your effectiveness, emotional well-being, physical health, mental health, and ultimate success.

Isolation is a major complaint of telecommuters, even those who love the solitude. While everyone operates on a continuum of affiliation needs, and some of us need more or less of the types of ...