A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

People skills for work-at-home people - sm

Posted: Nov 01, 2010

I have been at home working full time for about a year. I have been an MT longer, but I always had kept a job outside of the home also because I like interaction with other. I have found that I am starting to lose my people skills. Do others have this same problem? It is like I have forgotten how to really be able to hold a conversation with others. This is something that really bothers me as I have always loved customer service and working with people and mainly started transcription as a way to give my mother-in-law a break from babysitting. I just wondered if it is just me or if others have the same problem. I have also found that things I have been able to hold back in the past just seem to flow freely now, such as anger or things that you are thinking in the back of your head but would never say.

Work-at-home people - Wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
Not so much losing "people skills," however, most definately miss real-live interaction, and it is compounded more if you work for a company who only contacts you to complain.

Just call me Hermit - Hermit

[ In Reply To ..]
I definitely can identify with how you feel. I use to be a "people person." Even received employee of the month back in the day of working inhouse. Now, I don't even want to go to the store. I've become reclusive...a hermit...especially since children are out of school. It's as though I am becoming afraid of the real world...depression definitely settling in on me...not to mention the pounds packing on...use to be 130 now a good 170...time for a change. Going to keep doing MT work, but am going to find an outlet and going to do something that gets me out of the house! Wish me luck!

I know what you mean. - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Before I started doing transcription from my home 6 years ago, my previous job had been as an airline account executive doing presentations for anywhere from 250-500 corporate clients at each presentation. My job included doing these presentations sometimes 2-3 times a week and traveling all over the world to conduct the 4-hour seminars (sometime doing 2 seminars in 1 day with just a short lunch break in between the 2 sessions.

After 9/11 happened, I lost my airline job, so went back to school to learn transcription. Now that I have been out of public speaking for 9 years, I find myself absolutely unable to get up in front of a group to speak and even having trouble with normal conversations with others. As you said, too, it doesn't help that I have gained so much weight from all the sitting and eating at my desk, etc.

I have always hated talking on the phone, so I don't have any contact that way either because I make people talk to my answering machine and, if it is something urgent, I will call them back.

It is almost like my old life belonged to a totally different person. I don't know how I ever used to get up and do those presentations and can't imagine ever being able to do that again, although I seem to be okay with children's groups. I teach a weekly Sunday School class of 3rd-6th graders, which is the highlight of my week and seems to be the only thing keeping me connected to the real world any more.

I have started to work out to an aerobic tape after work each day (before I do anything else; otherwise, I'll make some excuse to not do it), so that is starting to become habit for me. I have been working out every weeknight now for 4 weeks, and that is helping me feel better about myself, though I haven't seen any weight loss yet. I am also trying to not snack at my desk and eat 3 properly proportioned meals each day, so I am hoping to see some benefit to that, too.

I have a medical condition that keeps me from being able to drive, so I can't get out much and I live alone. It used to bother me a lot, but I am now pretty happy with being alone. I am afraid, though, that I am becoming more of a recluse and that it will eventually take over my life.

Me too. - rainyday

[ In Reply To ..]
I have also gained weight since working at home. I also can't stand to hear the phone ring. I never answer it. When I do go out into public (grocery store, occasional thrift store shopping, library), I am so excited to get out of the house, but then people seem so rude to me, I can't get home fast enough.

I'm quite content with my solitude, just get a craving to get out of the house every once in a while, but like I said the rudeness of the world in general makes me want to get back to my "cave." I don't know if it's really any issue as much as just an observation for me. The weight gain is totally an issue, though.

OP, your last sentence intrigued me. Could it be - Pragmatist

[ In Reply To ..]
that you're actually feeling freedom from the "group think" that goes with belonging to a group at work, rather than actual lack of control? Freedom from the sanctions or outright rejection that unsanctioned (independent) statements would have brought in the past? For people who fitted snugly into a group through high school, then moved on from one group to another at work places, becoming a group of one would be very different.

So glad you asked this. sm - Kabocha

[ In Reply To ..]
Your statement "It is like I have forgotten how to really be able to hold a conversation with others" could have been written by me. I tend to have word-finding issues and I think it is because I am a little nervous during face-to-face conversations with outsiders. No such issues when speaking to family at home. Since getting a dog a couple years ago, I have been taking him to the dog park and walking trails for both of us to socialize. My people skills have improve a little from this interaction, but I still have a way to go. So, back to your original post, you are not alone in feeling this way.

I am certainly glad to know it is not just me - OP

[ In Reply To ..]
I sometimes think because I am typing what someone else is saying and concentrating on that, that I can't even think or get a sentence together by myself. The dog thing is a good idea. We are thinking of getting our children a dog for Christmas. I'm sure after the newness wears off I will get to do all of the dirty work, so that is definitely something to think about.

working at home - mtme

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, this job takes a toll on you mentally. I felt like a senior citizen who was dying to get out of the house and talk to someone. I finally took an in-house position. Less pay than what I was making, but much healthier and less stress. I realized I was actually depressed staying in the house that many hours alone. I even lost 15 pounds since getting out w/out even trying. I'm much more motivated now too. So, glad I'm not stuck in the house in my PJs anymore. My suggestions for those who have to stay home and work, find a few hours out everyday. Walks help somewhat. Volunteer somewhere. It can really stick working at home, but everyone always says "I would love to work from home" - they just dont know what they are asking for!

working at home - anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I get up early every morning and take a shower and do my hair and makeup. After I drop my son off at school, I do my work until lunchtime, eat lunch, and then I go out, every single day. I go to the store, go to the mall with my sister, set up playdates for my son. Getting out of the house each and every day really really helps fight the feelings of isolation for me.

To MTME - Anonymous

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree with you. I tried working at home and lasted 3 years. I went back to working on site for the same employer. I also was depressed. Even though I'm at my desk doing exactly what I did when I was at home, there is some interaction with my co-workers and it's just nice being around other people. Also, my employer lets me take a lunch hour and bathroom breaks when I need them and I don't get in trouble if my hands are off the keyboard for more than 4 minutes, lol!

Working second shift might be an answer... - cindyoh

[ In Reply To ..]
...has always worked well for me, anyway. I really can't imaging working at home during the daytime anyway, especially since I live alone, no hubby or kids. I would think you would feel incredibly confined and shut in, especially in your own home. I've always loved having my days free to be outdoors in the yard or garage or running errants and could care less about being out after dark the older I've gotten. I've kind of designed my life these past 35 years finding plenty of things to keep myself busy during the day and happily settling in to work from 4 to 12 midnight. Some nights I'm exhausted before I sit down to work and needless to say, I sleep well. I get plenty of social contacts most days of the week, helping family, babysitting sometimes, just now getting more active with taking care of Mom, joing the local senior center myself (yikes). I feel very fortunate and can't wait till I can retire; wish it wasn't so far off.

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