Still Working from Home? How to Survive as an Extrovert: 5 Productivity (and Mood) Boosting Strategies You Need to Try!

Are you just freakin’ dying trying to force yourself to focus and be productive day after day as working from home continues?

I get that this doesn’t necessarily sound like the most sympathy-inducing scenario with so many people currently facing really serious financial circumstances from unemployment. Heck, or with so many parents who would just love a quiet hour by themselves in the house at this point.

But it’s a *very* real problem for extroverts. Especially if you’re home alone, either all day or all the time.

I’m that person who always wanted to work in an open environment or share an office, because I am exponentially more productive and focused when other people are around. In law school, I could never study at the library — it was sooo quiet! How on earth can you focus? And as a practicing attorney with the privilege of having my own office? That was just about the worst possible setup for me to be able to concentrate and get work done. It was like pulling teeth try to concentrate in that environment.

I know, I know. Cue the world’s smallest violin playing the world’s saddest song. But it really was a big problem for me!

I’ve been working from home since well before the pandemic started . . . but it used to be different. I could go to a coffee shop or coworking space when I needed to do some computer work during the day. I could even meet a friend there. And after working hours, I could actually meet up with a friend in person and get those extrovert needs met.

But now, for those of us who are “people people,” even with all the amazing benefits of working from home, it’s gotten really hard to do it full time, no matter how much you love your work. And that’s true even for those of us in people-oriented professions who get to connect with clients virtually during the day.

Because this isn’t just working from home. It’s working in isolation during a still-ongoing pandemic that has curtailed the options to get together with people safely.

Fortunately, with lots of trial and error, I’ve found some strategies to make it work. Here are my top tips and tricks.

1. Virtual Co-Working

This is my lifesaver.

Since so many of us are working home these days, I hop onto Zoom or Facetime with a friend nearly every weekday to have some company while I do computer work.

Sweet relief! It’s like having a coworker right there with you!

I keep their face visible on one of my screens (usually my phone) so I feel like I have company the entire time. And since we’re both trying to work, it generally doesn’t turn into just chit chat. Ok, occasionally . . . but that only happens when we both really need some conversation and neither of us has a deadline!

And if you’re someone who does better with accountability, this is an awesome way to get it and make sure you’re getting your sh*t done.

It’s amazing how helpful this simple setup is for me — somehow, I switch into productive mode shortly after we get onscreen and say hi. And just as interestingly, I sometimes find productivity mode switching off within a couple minutes of one of us signing off. (Obviously that’s less good . . . but it does demonstrate how well virtual coworking works for me!)

There are all sorts of ways to set this up:

• I have one friend I virtually co-work with nearly every day. We text in the morning and find a time that works in our schedules. Bonus: she lives in Canada, so I would never get to see her this often otherwise!

• Set up a recurring weekly appointment with one or two extroverted coworkers — whether or not you’re working on working on the same project.

• Have daily virtual “office hours” and invite a bunch of your friends or coworkers to drop in to co-work anytime during them. This way, there’s no scheduling to worry about — whoever wants to join can join. (GoogleMeet would be a great free way to do this.)

This has been an absolute game changer for me since the pandemic started. Some days, I may just co-work for an hour — but man, I get a lot done in that hour.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

2. Virtual Coffee During the Workday

This is a great way for extroverts to mimic the personal relationships and conversation you’d be getting in the office — and to give you the associated energy boost during the day.

(And no, having a virtual meeting or connecting to discuss a project just isn’t the same, at least not in most cases.)

This is really important for you as an extrovert — you need to socialize to have energy and be productive. And if you’ve started a new job or have been assigned to a new project or team since Covid hit, this also is a really great way to build your connections within your new group.

For those of you who are rule followers, hear me on this next piece: it’s TOTALLY FINE to set this up with a friend during the workday, especially if you are spending most of your day alone.

We’re not talking about wasting time during the workday. We’re talking about how to make you your most productive, creative, problem-solving, awesome self.

And for extroverts, that’s just gonna take some social time.

That’s why I personally like this better than just sending instant messages back and forth throughout the day. It’s so easy for that to become a time suck or continual distraction all day — and you’re getting much less of that social energy than you do from seeing someone (even virtually) and having a conversation.

Try out building it in to your workday and see if it works for you.

3. Team Lunches or Happy Hours

As above, I don’t mean a working lunch!

I personally love connecting 1–1, but maybe you prefer groups. And it’s probably been a *really* long time since saw a group of your coworkers in person.

See if your team wants to hang out over lunch and just catch up on how everyone’s doing. Or invite them to have drinks and try not to talk about any projects you are working on.

You could even play a game — maybe virtual Pictionary or Jeopardy. Just anything that sounds and feels fun and ideally, gives you a chance to laugh together.

But wouldn’t your colleagues rather just get their work done and get the day over with?

At this point, I don’t think so — at least not every day. Maybe you don’t want to do this every week. But it could give you some much-needed team building and connection, especially if you already know you’ll be working from home through the end of 2020 or beyond.

Just be aware that virtual gatherings are a different animal than in-person ones. You’ll probably need to keep it to a relatively small number of people. I think 4–6 people is a great number that allows everyone’s face be on the screen and gives everyone a chance to talk.

I would plan this for during the workday if it’s at all feasible — too many people are feeling like they can never leave work anymore. This would be a great way to recharge over lunch or to spend the last hour of the workday and then let people actually “leave” for the day.

4. Mid-Day (Distanced) Walk with a Friend

Multi-tasking for the win!

To make a similar point from earlier, it isn’t slacking off to take a midday break. Either for exercise or to get some social connection. Doing either, you’ll come back feeling energized, ready to focus and thinking more creatively. And doing both is a really efficient use of time for extroverts.

Not to mention that our unconscious minds work out problems when we step away from our work — and do a much better job of it than when we keep trying to push through.

This one may not be realistic if you have kids, and I totally get that. You can only do what you can do. If you and a friend can make it work though, you get a gold star for the day. And a much more productive afternoon.

5. Networking

Most people I talk with really dread the idea of networking, whether they are extroverts or introverts.

If this is you, try thinking about networking the way that Lisa Lewis, CEO of Career Clarity, likes to explain it: as making professional friends.

If you can start viewing networking as connecting with a new or old friend, it can actually turn into a fun and re-energizing part of your day. With the added benefit, of course, that these are friends who will be great to be in touch with if you need to or want to find a new job.

And certainly, networking is something to be doing if you are wanting a new job or to explore a new career. But it makes just as much sense if you are wanting to advance in your company or to make more contacts in your industry so that you can be more effective in your current role.

A few things to keep in mind if you’re reaching out to someone new:

· Let the person you’re reaching out to know how you found them and why you’re reaching out.

· Be at least a little vulnerable and let them know what’s going on with you and why you’re asking for their time and knowledge.

· Make it easy for them — don’t ask for too much of their time, and if they say yes, send them a calendar invite with call-in or login information.

· Spell and grammar check your email to them. Please!

· Don’t take it personally if they don’t respond or say they can’t connect right now. Some people have extra time these days; others are drowning. Don’t write them off as a potential contact, just wait and try again later.

Any of these tips strike your fancy? Or did I miss one that’s working really well for you? Let me know! Shoot me an email or let me know in the comments below.