A Different Type of Isolation
"Hey, guys did you read the interview I did with Liz Strauss the other day?"
"Who's Liz, who?"
or
"I have this interview coming up with Darren Rowse on Wednesday."
"Darren who?"
Familiar scenario?
If you work at home, especially on the internet, you probably run into the same type of situation. You are so proud of your accomplishments you just want to share it with friends and family. You tell them all about it, and they just don't know who or what you're talking about.
Working in an office or onsight somewhere, you can tell your co-workers and they know exactly what you are talking about. They congratulate you for your success, you may even get an announcement on the intercom.
This is a very different kind of isolation than I wrote about in my Overcoming Isolation post. That was more of a I'm lonely, all by myself, easy to fix situation. This is more about the sharing my day isolation.
It is not easy to share something abstract like an internet business. You can try analogies, using terms other "real world" types understand. Try sharing their day and tell them about what you are doing in reference to what they say. Draw a comparison to their experiences with your own. Don't try to overwhelm them with details.
If you start from the beginning and bring them along a little at a time, they will start to understand. They will be able to share in your accomplishments. But, you have to make the effort. Let them understand what it is you do sitting there all day at the computer.
How do you handle it when no one seems to really understand what it is you do?
Related Posts:
Overcoming Isolation
Explaining Internet Business to Mom If you were on the new Home Page and got transferred here through a link in an article, Please Click Here to Return to Working at Home on the Internet (the New and Improved Version). For your convience: E-Mail Questions Good Luck in YOUR Endeavors
posted by Joseph at 10:32 AM
7 Comments:
I don’t make my living at home from the internet at this point. But I feel your pain.
Most jobs I’ve had in my career have required a fairly lengthy explanation. I do get tired of explaining, but there is no helping it.
Here are some of the jobs titles I’ve had:
Naval Flight Officer (“No. I’m not a pilot. But yes, I do fly from aircraft carriers.”)
Vessel Agent
Stevedore
Vessel Planner
Marine Surveyor
I’m at the point where I groan inwardly whenever I hear the question, “What do you do for a living?” I know it’s going to take 10 minutes to explain what I do and they still won’t really have a clue what it means when I’m done.
Hey Chris,
I groan all the time when people ask, but I try to grin and bear it.
One of my problems is that if I say Blogger, the only one's who understand are other Bloggers. :-)
BTW, did you vote on the picture for my profile? Someone has to break the tie...
J.
Joe, I havnen't voted yet because I'm holding onto the hope that you'll stumble on just one more to choose from...
Hey Chris,
I wish there were more to choose from, BUT...
I think I'll go with the "me lowering a limb" for now. The others don't show up very well so small.
Oh well, I'll keep looking and use that one for now.
Joe
I know what you mean, Joe. By the time you explain who or what you're talking about, all of the excitement is gone. You just can't catch someone up on the "soap opera" if they don't watch it every day. That's why we need each other.
Liz
Hey Liz,
You got that right. I think that's one reason Tuesday nights go over so well on your Blog.
I really wanted to celebrate your and Darren's interviews, but only we (bloggers) have any idea what they were about. :-(
On a happier note, ta-da...
See ya tomorrow night at your place for Open Mic Night.
:-)
Joe
I don't think it's necessary to have rules for comments, but spam will not be tolerated.
Joe
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