Can I Be Brutally Honest About Working Alone?

Can I be honest with you? Working remotely or building a business can feel incredibly lonely sometimes. You wake up excited about your ideas, but by lunch, you’re sitting there wondering if anyone even cares about what you’re building. No coworkers to bounce ideas off. No one to grab coffee with. Just you, your laptop, and way too much silence.

Hey there! I’m Coach Maya. Here’s the thing – you’re not imagining it. Loneliness has doubled since the 1980s, and get this – it’s literally as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. But here’s what’s amazing: strong relationships don’t just make you feel better, they actually help you live longer.

Twenty years ago, I found my tribe – a professional group called Alexcel. Coaches and consultants from around the world who became my professional family. When I’m stuck, they’re my sounding board. When I’m celebrating, they’re cheering me on. When I’m having a rough day, they remind me why I’m doing this work. I am so grateful to be part of this community.

So how do you find YOUR people? Let me give you three things that actually work.

First, think about relationships like a triangle – you need all three sides, or it falls apart. Side one is consistency. Show up regularly, not just when you need something. Side two is positivity. Be someone people actually enjoy being around. And side three? Vulnerability. Here’s the secret sauce – share something real about yourself. Let people see the human behind the business card. Maybe you’re nervous about a big presentation, or excited about a new hobby, or struggling with work-life balance. When you’re real, people connect with the real you.

And don’t let distance kill connection. Take a walk while you talk to someone. Text a friend just to check in. Have a video call while you both cook dinner. The little moments add up.

Second, become a connector. You know that friend who always knows someone who knows someone? Be that person. When you meet people who should know each other, make the introduction. Everyone feels good, and you become unforgettable.

Look, I get it. When you’re grinding to build something, busy with young kids, and overwhelmed with workload, relationships feel like a luxury you don’t have time for. But here’s what I’ve learned – your connections aren’t separate from your success. They ARE your success.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Actually, you shouldn’t try to. This is what I want you to do this week: Reach out to one person you haven’t talked to in a while. Not for business. Just to say hi. Share something real about your life.

That one conversation might be the start of something amazing.

Remember, the best part of living your best life isn’t just what you create – it’s who you create it with. By the way – I’d love to hear from you. Tell me what you’d like to hear about next? Drop a comment below! Don’t be a stranger!