Remote Doesn't Have To Mean Distant

Here in Chicago, we are coming up to the 1-year anniversary of some sort of lockdown. You know, the day when everything changed in terms of how we live our day to day lives. Honestly, there are days when I remember past events - concerts, plays, parties - and feel a mix of disbelief it ever really happened and excitement of returning to that time. We learned a lot this year. One of the top things we learned is that remote doesn't have to mean distant. Here are some tips to stay connected and why now is the perfect time to move in that direction.

Join Organizations

Yup. It may seem counterintuitive, but now is the perfect time. We recently joined two local business groups. Yes, all events are online. And yes, it's a bit more challenging to make those connections. But, since everyone is in the same boat in your specific area, everyone is suffering the same kind of circumstance. And there is real camaraderie in a shared experience that builds an automatic connection. 

Go to the online events. I promise you, it's more fun than you imagine. We recently attended a virtual networking event. Hosted in a great platform that gave the attendee the option to move from room-to-room or group-to-group. If you have a fairly inexpensive glass of wine in your hand and walk around the room with your computer, it's just like the real thing. JK... or not.

But make the effort to go. If you attend and after 15 minutes you aren't feeling it, just leave. No harm, no foul. And when it is working, make an effort to connect on LinkedIn. Book some follow-up calls. And then, when in-person events return, meeting each other will be all the better, even with the fairly inexpensive wine.

Leverage Your Existing Connections

Create your own organization using your existing connections. Go to your LinkedIn profile. Look through your contacts. You know those people you used to work with back a job or two ago? Maybe you went to law school together. Whatever your group, reach out. Set up a Zoom meeting. We all have a tendency to focus on the here-and-now and some of the past connections can fade. Well, now is the perfect time to change that. 

When you reach out to the group, ask if they have topics to discuss. If it's a law school group, consider putting together some questions, just to get things started. Again, if the conversation is flowing, awesome. If it isn't, no harm no foul. Reconnect and let it be that. 

Remember to pick groups that have things in common. So you may not want to mix your college friends with your current position co-workers. At least not to start. 

Get Outside

We know, you have heard it already. But really, even if it's a bitter winter (hello single digit temps!), it's worth it to get outside even if it's only for a few minutes. Call a co-worker, a neighbor, a friend, or grab your pet. As we say in the midwest, there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. So layer up. Remember to cover your head - that makes a BIG difference. 

You will definitely see others out there, doing the same thing. Just getting out of the house, doing something semi-normal, and getting some fresh air and exercise makes a big difference, mentally, physically, and emotionally. 

Join An Online Workout Club

We know there are SO MANY zoom options out there that are recorded and free. You can workout at home with no weights or equipment required. And you can do it at any point you like, whenever it works for you in your day or night for that matter. But it's another solo kind of event. 

Ask friends (or any of the above groups of people) if they know of any online groups. Check your Instagram feed, or Facebook or whatever. There are many, many, many options out there. Many, like the group I workout with, meet via Zoom and the trainer works out with us and through the camera, coaches you. You know, make sure you bend that knee a bit, that kind of thing. Great jams, too. So it's a great workout, using household stuff to get it done, with live coaching. And a great group of people.

Pick Up Your Phone

And I don't mean to text anyone. Actually call them. You know, to speak live. Or better yet, make it a video call. You get the idea. We all love to text as we can communicate anytime we want and the person can respond when they can. So convenient. But to make the connection, pick up the phone and make it a live call. If you are swamped and just don't have the time, make sure you keep it to 5 minutes. We all have 5 minutes. Call a family member you don't speak to very often. Call a friend, co-worker, or even your boss. We all need a little connection.

In this socially-distanced time, it's critical to connect. The after effects of this way of life will be the big topic... and there will be after effects for a while. So take proactive steps to get some semblance of human connection, whether new friends, established friends, or just people to sweat with.

For more wellness resources, check out our page with some workouts (same trainer noted above which was created just for you!), and meditation tools too. 

Stay well out there!