By coscooper
One full month. I’m now past the first month on the new job, Sales Engineer for a software company focused on data governance solutions. I have to admit, working from home is, for those who remember what a “valley girl” is, TOTALLY AWESOME!
Flexibility is the word that bubbles up in our conversation a lot. Jodi and I both work at home and it’s great being able to balance work and life needs. Some things just have to be taken care of during the day, business hours and is more convenient. Setting your own hours and schedule really helps.
Being able to work from my home office and still provide great value to both my company and customers is something that I never thought was possible. In my previous position, there was “telecommuting” available, but it basically meant, providing remote customer service at 10pm when someone was panicking, usually my old boss. It meant upgrading servers on Saturday nights from 11pm to 5am. It never meant, I’m going to sit at my home office desk for 9 to 10 hours on such-n-such day and actually get work done. No, my old boss had to “see the whites of your eyes and see you sitting at a desk in his office space” to feel like you were doing something. He was paranoid that if people worked from their home office, they weren’t focused on their work, were goofing off, not focused on him, can’t drop what ever their doing to go to an ad-hoc, unscheduled meeting to hear him drone on about how smart he was and/or sit there waiting for him to finish his “all-important” call, all the while mulling over the work you need to get done wasting valuable time starring at your colleagues waiting, waiting on him to pontificate and show everyone how he’s the smartest man in the room. However, what he didn’t realize is that paranoia drove others crazy and actually produced the opposite. Resentment and really lack of interest in actually wanting to help the cause and ultimately him succeed. His old school mentality was, well, OLD-SCHOOL.
Now, it’s nice to be treated like an adult with respect and dignity knowing that you’re putting in a good days work for the value. Because of that respect and treatment, people who are self-motivated really want to work harder and provide on-going value to the company and ultimately to their customer.
Working from home is AWESOME!
Share on Facebook
By coscooper
Well, today was my first day with my new company. I woke up this morning with the Jitters. Mostly, my head was swimming on all of the things I had to get done. I was also wondering if I was going to find everything okay, how was the new office space going to work out and if everyone was going to be nice to me. I wasn’t so sure about the commute and how quickly I’d be able to make it. All those thoughts quickly went “poof” standing in front of the coffee pot sipping on that first “wake up” cup.
Smiling, I realized, none of that would matter. My commute was down one flight of stairs to my new basement office. I didn’t have to wonder much about people in the meetings as they would be done via conference call and webex meetings. I wouldn’t even have to figure out where the kitchen and restroom was. That, I know by heart and can run around here in pitch dark, most of the time.
First day was, well, easy as they come. I actually felt like I got more done than any time in the past. Not that I’ve started a lot of new jobs. However, even with my old company, I had actually moved to different divisions and/or started working with new people/teams or even in a different office on several occasions. It took days and weeks to get it all down on what you could/couldn’t do and where everything was.
Working from home is AWESOME!!! Okay, now the reality will eventually set in and I’ve been around the block enough to know that there’s the “Honeymoon” period. Still, I’m in it now, it’s good and if I play my cards right, it’ll be great even after the newness wears off. Hey, I did stay at my last company 16 years and I’ve been happily married for over 20 years. So, hopefully that pattern continues.
First day Jitters, first day smitters….Forget about it!! I’m off to the races.
Share on Facebook
By coscooper
Well, I know Jodi, my LOVELY wife, posted an Office story on her blog, however, I have my own story.
After nearly 20 years of having a private office at my old company(s) I’ve always done what I wanted and never had to answer to anyone “breathing” down my back. Most recently, my office in Boulder was in the corner with lots of windows where I could watch the wild life prance by. I could also stare off into the distance looking over the mountains or Flat Irons looming along the horizon just south of Boulder. I’d get my binoculars out and watch climbers take the face of Flat Iron Number 1. Never saw anyone take a plunge. They must all have been experienced.
Anyway, last year I started working from home and shared the home office in our spare bedroom.
This wasn’t working….
So, I decided to kick Dylan and his drum set out of the basement and build my own space. Jodi “JUMPED” at the thought when I brought it up. Actually, she was reluctant, only because she didn’t want to spend a dime. Bean counters.
Well, I’m now in my own little corner with no one huffing, waving arms aren’t being thrashed at me when I’m on the phone, not hearing the SHUSHING or punching the back of my chair when I’ve tried to zone out with the head-phones on.
Now, my office has everything I really need. Privacy, great lighting, dart board, electric guitar, it’s own Gym & private restroom just 5 steps away, (coffee can be a bitch in the morning when you’re, uh, 40 something.)
It’s not without it’s issues though.
1 – My cell phone doesn’t work very well unless I stand cheek pressed up against the window. Could be good or bad depending on the point of view and needs
2 – The stereo speakers have an annoying buzz when I use my wireless mouse for some reason. This wasn’t an issue upstairs. Tried everything, but it’s not getting any better. Headphones are best. However, I have noticed I don’t hear the local airport radio anymore
3 – I’m too close to the treadmill and Jodi’s been “hinting” all morning. However, I keep my back to the beast.
4 – The desk I bought is “ok”, but a bit flimsy and shakes when I type. Hm..
5 – I’m 3 feet from our basement bar. Beer 30 and after work cocktails are going to be WAY too convenient. I stare at the bottles all day.
Well, regardless of those little “annoyances”, I’m content knowing I can breath, listen to music, take phone calls, chat without worrying she’s looking over my shoulder and well, I’m free to let things “loose” as I see fit. It only affects me
Another perk, it’s next to the entertainment center, with a nice 8′ couch and the leather lazy boy recliner. Next, a nice nap is order and I wont get caught!
My Cave!
Share on Facebook
