Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

Home-based business owners know that while it can occasionally be very rewarding to be "home alone" (reporting to work in your robe, for instance, or having an eight foot commute), it can also be discouraging from time to time.  This is especially true for those whose work is completed electronically.  You may interact with other people by email or IM service, but rarely will you even receive phone calls, let alone see a colleague's face (other than their avatar).

It's important for your morale and your sanity to get out and interact with others, even if you don't feel like you "need" to.  I try to do this weekly.  In my case, having my child at home makes it all the more necessary.  It's that or I ramble at the UPS guy or the Terminix tech for a half an hour on the rare days they ring the doorbell and don't make it off the porch in time.

Here are a few options to consider to get you up out of your office chair and out into the land of the living.  If nothing else, try to do something at least once or twice a week.  You may find you crave getting out of the home office a little more...or it may make you more grateful to be home alone again when you're done with the day.

• Go out to lunch...with a friend, neighbor or colleague.
• Take a continuing education course in something you are passionate about or have always wanted to try.
• Take a professional development class to build your expertise or learn new skills to market your business.
• Volunteer...at your kids' schools, in the community, at a local business event.
• Hit the gym for a good workout or a stint in the sauna to relax.
• Attend a business convention or seminar at the local Chamber of Commerce, community college or other professionals' events.
• Run errands...yes, even a quick jaunt to the post office can brighten your day.  Take business cards; you never know who you'll end up chatting with!