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There is value in the forced interactions of a workplace, especially for introverts (like myself) who are perfectly capable/happy to go days or weeks without in
by mcgaddis 5y ago
There is value in the forced interactions of a workplace, especially for introverts (like myself) who are perfectly capable/happy to go days or weeks without in-person communication. Eloquence requires practice to acquire and maintain and you get less practice when working remotely.
However, the forced interactions of a workplace lack quality and diversity of topics and audience, especially when compared to the vast opportunities for human connection outside of work.
It's sort of like saying, "Now that I'm no longer busting rocks on a chain gang, I don't get any physical exercise." The response to which would be fairly straightforward, right? Join a gym, exercise at home, take up weightlifting as a hobby, etc.
I think you would do well to find a new, better "gym" where you can exercise the skills you mention. For example:
- Volunteer somewhere that will put you alongside other people (e.g. Habitat for Humanity or a social cause).
- Attend networking events. Even if you aren't looking for a job, treat it like the gym. You are there to exercise.
- Join a public speaking group (e.g. Toastmasters).
- When you do go out (e.g. to the grocery store or a bar), strike up conversation with a stranger.
- Throw a party at your place. Invite a variety of people.
- Start a video diary. Instead of daily written entries, record short videos about literally anything going on in your world.
- Join a hobbyist group. You don't have to know anything at all about that hobby. Choose something you find intriguing. Don't overthink it.
- Read a book out loud. Yes, even vocalizing alone is good exercise as it forces you to do what you're missing when working remotely, which is to quiet your mind and focus on speech.
In short, working remotely gives you more time and--for introverts--more energy. Use those precious resources to your advantage.
- throwaway257928 5y ago> It's sort of like saying, "Now that I'm no longer busting rocks on a chain gang, I don't get any physical exercise." The response to which would be fairly straightforward, right? Join a gym, exercise at home, take up weightlifting as a hobby, etc Well, I'm pretty sure the average construction worker is way stronger and tougher than the average coder with a gym subscription. Try comparing a hobby musician with a professional one. The first one may be devoted, but he'll have a natural tendency to practice songs that he personally likes, and up to the level which is personally acceptable to him. Unless he gets bored and ends up browsing memes for the rest of the evening. The professional one will have to learn all kinds of different material, at the level required for playing to the audience, and for a specific deadline. I've tried some of the items from your list, especially in my 20s I had quite an active hobby life, but if socializing with people requires an active effort, not always works out, and you don't have strong external motivations, you eventually end up looking for excuses to browse memes in the evenings. Not to mention that accomplished people tend to stay in their own social circles, and don't usually hang around networking events / hobby groups looking for new people to meet. > - Read a book out loud. Yes, even vocalizing alone is good exercise as it forces you to do what you're missing when working remotely, which is to quiet your mind and focus on speech. This sounds like a particularly depressing idea. I absolutely don't want to be spending my life reading books out loud to practice my own speaking.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]