I've written before about the trials and tribulations of working from home. However, these photos compiled by Design*Sponge have me whimsically thinking of how productive my genius would have been had I only worked in such gorgeous surroundings!
Philosopher and writer Alan Watts is famous for asking "What would you like to do if money were no object?" At first glance, it appears a tough question. But is it? I inherently know what I want to do on my day off from work, for example. Lay around, read a book, go on a hike, get errands done. That lists grows quickly, because I know that there are no strings attached. I can do whatever I want to do during my "free" time, without worrying about what my boss thinks, what my coworkers are doing and what time the workday ends. Is it really so different when it comes to a career or profession? [NB: if you scoff at this notion, this would be a good time to pause and watch the video link above.]
Why are we brainwashed to think that meaning and happiness have an inverse relation to prosperity? A better question might be, what is stopping our generation from changing that notion?
The more jobs I had after college, the more I learned exactly which situations I work best in, what structures I need to succeed and which types of challenges and opportunities must be present for me to feel satisfied. That took several false starts, lots of frustration, tons of trials and error and most importantly, TIME. My best advice to those starting out is to be patient! Follow your gut. Surround yourself with diversity in every sense of the word. And never be afraid to try a new path when the one you are on isn't working for you.
Failure is a harsh word, but for me, it is the root explanation of why I make better decisions now than I did when I was younger. The New York Times did a great piece on this topic, aptly titled "Following Your Bliss, Right Off a Cliff". Give it a read, both for the psychology behind failure and the opportunities that it provides those that persevere.
Yes, yes all these important life lessons take time. But hey, that is the one constant that all of us have. What we choose to do with our time is as individual to us as our fingerprints.
Recently, the company PayScale (NB: a great website for assessing salaries when job-hunting) compared and contrasted median pay and job satisfaction for more than 450 careers. The authors looked at the following categories:
% High Job Satisfaction
% High Job Stress
Typical Educational Level
Gender Breakdown
Job Level
... just to name a few. With their data, they created an amazing interactive chart, which you can play with at this link.
Here are a few of their findings: the two least-meaningful job categories are food preparation/service and legal, probably not surprising considering how difficult the work is. For high pay and high job fulfillment, head straight to the medical field, since both well-paid health practitioners (doctors and surgeons) and lower-paid healthcare workers (nurses and technicians) ranked high in overall satisfaction and salaries.
I have written before about my own life mission to find Sanity with a Side of Paycheck. This chart explains why that motto is easier said than done! It can be extremely challenging to find financial security and career contentment simultaneously. However, as I made my way through different jobs, different sectors and different stages of the professional pyramid, I found that each career change led me to better fit with my lifestyle. And when one factor was lacking, I compensated for it by working extra jobs, volunteering, cultivating desirable work skills and expanding my network of contacts.
Finding the holy grail takes a mix of determination, goal setting, patience and persistence. But speaking from experience, it does exist!
My friends and coworkers know thatI love to travel, but I am starting to suspect that they think I am a closeted trust fund baby or possibly, Gordon Gekko in disguise. Why, you ask?
I am always planning international vacations.
Here are a few tips that I use to satisfy my exorbitant travel whims:
1. Think long-term.
I am able to travel to far-flung places, because I plan trips waaaaay in advance. I am talking years here. Time gives you the benefit to search for cheaper plane tickets, earn points or miles on credit cards, find deals on hotels and vacation rentals, learn more about your destination, reach out to locals for advice and ultimately, take longer vacations. Look at the calendar and pick a date that realistically represents the size of trip you would like to take. The first step is always the hardest, but once I commit to a date, the motivation to plan and save comes easy.
3. Save where it counts.
I work for a non-profit and, unfortunately, do not have a money tree in my backyard. Saving is hard, no matter which approach you take. I find that weighing everyday choices with travel goals in mind is the best way to turn a little into a lot. So, I make it a game: Starbucks on the way to work or café crème at a sidewalk café? Date night here or date night in [insert chic global city]. Netflix subscription or museum pass? Beer at the local bar or a rum punch on the beach? Splurging at Whole Foods or exploring a quaint outdoors market? Pretty quickly, you will realize that purchasing a thing in the here and now does not compare to investing in an experience later.
5. Don't play hooky.
I will go out on a limb here and guess that most of you do not hail from Austria, Brazil or France. These fine countries mandate that employers provide an average of 34 days of paid leave every year. What is the helpless American worker to do? Hoard your vacation days! Do you really want to take off work, because it's Spring and the weather is nice? Because you don't want to deal with your boss on Monday morning? Because you have writer's block and cannot face your deadline? NO! If you are a wanderluster like me, you would rather enjoy an island holiday, a stroll down a boulevard in Paris or do pretty much any activity in a foreign destination rather than one in your present location. Keep that in mind next time the idea to raid your vacation balance pops into mind.
6. Au revoir, adios, sayonara
The grand adventure you have always coveted is possible! It only boils down to motivation and a commitment to make it happen. A few little sacrifices add up to major benefits and they are all worth it!
One of my favorite work- and labor-related journalists is Lucy Mangan, a writer for The Guardian newspaper, BBC and, most recently, blogging for CollinsDictionary.com (It is a blog about words. Very funny words.) She is fabulously clever and sharp-tongued, but never misses an opportunity to make the audience laugh, even when covering serious issues. Her take on the move by French union leaders to prohibit the using mobile phones for work after punching out at the end of the day is no exception.
You may already be familiar with notoriety of labor unions in France: they are the usual suspects when it comes to boycotts, picketing and protests in the news. Regardless of sector, they are far more influential than the unions we are accustomed to here in the United States. It is organized labor that brings about a month-long hiatus every August, when the population flees to Bali and Ibiza and tourists are left wondering who will make their baguettes. (Who me? Envious? Never!) Similarly, French employees work fewer hours than their US counterparts, enjoy drastically increased maternal and paternal benefits and many other "quality of life" perks.
The latest jewel in the crown of French unions is an agreement to protect tech industry workers from the bane of my existence annoyance of after-hours, work-related calls and e-mails. As described by Ms. Mangan, under the terms of the agreement, "employees will also have to resist the temptation to look at work-related material on their computers or smartphones - or any other kind of malevolent intrusion into the time they have been nationally mandated to spend on whatever the French call la dolce vita." Simply put, bosses will have to limit communications strictly to the hours of 9-5. Or 10-5, or 11-5 or whenever the French normally arrive at the office.
I tease, of course, but this new law points to important underlying questions about work-life balance. For example, to whom does time belong? Does it belong to employers, who conduct business around-the-clock in order to compete globally, increase profits and thereby, salaries? Or does it belong to employees, who cannot be expected to invest the same amount of hours as a business owner? Furthermore, how do the trends of hours worked compare to stagnant wages over time? In today's modern era, are office workers paid to be on-call, like doctors, mafia consigliore and tow-truck operators?
Just some food for thought as you see your Blackberry light up and consider answering one last e-mail from "The Man" before calling it a night.
Do you have office plants? I have a few (mostly) living plants in mine: a Christmas cactus, a primrose and two orchids that only bloom when there is an alignment of at least three planets.
I envy the those with a jungle-y office, but also don't have time for the constant misting and repotting when they get scraggly. Data from from the EPA and NASA might change this lazy habit though: indoor plants are an effective, affordable solution to poor indoor air quality. Whether at home or in a large office building, a wide range of irritants can negatively affect the air while you're working, including off-gassing from plastics or furniture, toxins from printers, wall paint, mold and chemical cleaning agents.
Here are a few recommendations to spruce up your office and your oxygen intake: aloe vera, English ivy, money plant (couldn't hurt to add this one), peace lily (ditto), spider plant and rubber plant. For more air cleansing plants, check out Yoganonymous and Elephant Journal.
Courtesy of MindBodyGreen. They have indoor plant recommendations here!
Looking for an easy way to spruce up your 9-5 surroundings? How about adding a wall (or even just a stripe) of wallpaper? Thankfully, the wallpaper in your grandma's mauve-tastic home is a thing of the past! Chasing Paper makes it possible to add a little pizazz to your work space without getting permission to paint or investing in a serious furniture upgrade. Here are some great options.
And, for a classic look, I like Lovely Lattice in maroon and cream:
Courtesy of ChasingPaper.com
The best part is that there are no sloppy, toxic glues to deal with and, if you are a commitment-phone and/or report to a stodgy office manager, no worries! The wallpaper is removable and re-stickable (in case you've forgotten the old adage: measure twice, cut once). So go on, give it a try! I am going to try a border to bring some warmth into an otherwise freezing office.
According the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 90% of Americans commute to work. A full 8% of workers commute more than an hour each way to their place of employment. While that last statistic is mind-blowing to me, the simple fact is that even average commuters spend a large part of their waking life getting from home to work and back again: 38 hours per commuter per year!
How many times have you put off starting a new habit, practicing an old one or taking the time to relax, because you're just "too busy"? Well, it might be time to "Treat Yo Self"!
Learning how to multitask during a long commute will not only take your mind off the traffic, unexpected delays and smelly passengers beside you, but will also give you a head start on feeling great about the day (or help leave work stresses behind as you head home). Here are a few suggestions:
Audiobooks
The old standby. Worried that you'll never have the time for Anna Karenina? LibriVox has a ton of free audio books available, searchable by author, title or genre. Also, check out Audible, where you can download a free book when you sign-up for their membership program. Commuter Bonus: did you know that you can rent audiobooks from Cracker Barrel? (However, I do not recommend stopping for the Double Meat Breakfast everyday on the way to the office.)
Podcasts
In just a few seconds, you can download some pretty incredible podcasts to your iTunes account, computer or smartphone. Some of my favorites include: Marketplace Money, This American Life and Radiolab. Most podcasts can be pre-set to download new episodes every time your device is near WiFi and it's a great, on-demand way to stay entertained or informed while trapped in a car, train or plane.
Knitting
For all you public transportation commuters out there! Knitting is the perfect way to pass the time, make something cool (or uncool, depending on how experienced you are) and also keep obtrusive people at bay with big metal weapons needles! Need help? You don't need a fancy class to get started. YouTube and KnittingHelp.com are excellent resources: from step-by-step beginners instruction to advanced skills and everything in between.
Learn a language
Thanks to a killer hour-long commute in law school, I now claim basic French* as a skill. Try it for yourself. Most local libraries offer lots of language courses in various formats, plus there are some amazing free classes online. I love Learn French with Alexa, Learn French by Podcast and my all-time favorite: Notes in Spanish.
Meditate
Mindfulness is not defined by sitting on a pillow surrounded by Tibetan chanting. A commute is the perfect time to let the mind wander, use your imagination, brainstorm for a project or to practice deep breathing. If driving in silence seems overwhelming (or too hippy-dippy) check out these tips or these for ideas and inspiration.
Lastly, don't over do it. I don't care how agile your texting fingers are, typing into any device while driving or walking on a crowded subway platform is a terrible idea. (And it's totally not worth it to prove me wrong.)
For more facts about commuting, check out this fascinating study from the Texas A&M.
*Defined as the ability to order croissants, find a bathroom and order wine with ease.
As much as I'd like to make this a post about well-designed, posh offices à laArchitectural Digest or Domino, when I say "essentials", I actually mean "essentials": those things I need to do my work (and do it well).
Function - As much as everyone likes teeny-tiny fashionable desks where everything is hidden away in invisible storage bins, that vision is simply impractical in my world. I have a jumbo corner desk that is reversed in the room, so that I can see the door front of me and the windows are at my back. This allows me to work in (mostly) natural light, see coworkers coming and going and, generally, work efficiently. While my desk is neat, I work best with visual reminders, so there are stacks of papers lined across the front of it and sometimes on the floor behind (sigh), as I keep track of various projects. Add to that: piles of business cards, file folders, bulky computer monitors and a 1980s-era dinosaur phone and you pretty much get the picture.
Creativity - As much as I appreciate function over frivolity, I also want someone to have an idea of who I am when they enter my space. (All work, no play, etc.) There has to be a little whimsy: postcards from past travels to remind me why I'm at work in the first place, a sports pennant of my favorite football team, plants in the windowsill, a daily photo calendar and local flyers from events around town, all add color and personality.
Essential Supplies - Comfortable sitting chair for guests who need to come in and vent, floor lamp to avoid the dreaded overhead fluorescents, corner bookshelf, Snuggie long cardigan, white legal pads, black gel pens, colored Post-It notes, my favorite stapler, small ceramic space heater, chocolate and tea, lots of tea. (Is it obvious yet that I work in an icebox?)
Currently Coveting - A nice rug to cover the industrial greige carpet that is ubiquitous in the building. More than anything else, I think a rug would bring a level of coziness that is noticeably lacking in our office.
This New York Times article by author Oliver Burkeman actually made me laugh out loud. It is a must-read for any self-described curmudgeon surviving this festive time of Ebenezer Scrooge, bad drivers and mall sales stampedes.
Despite best intentions, inserting mandatory fun into the workplace does not always work out. It can be distracting, even demeaning, to staff working hard to meet deadlines before the end of the year. Case-in-point: the impossible task of scheduling our office Christmas party this year. (Long story short is that we never had one.)
Unlike Mr. Burkeman, I probably fall into the "Happiness Engineer" category. Like most everything that I come to realize as I age, there has to be a balance between productivity and levity. The idea of coming to the office solely to produce output sounds downright depressing. (Not to mention unmotivating!) But, after years of working solo from home, I look forward to seeing coworkers, contributing as a team and sharing my daily routine with others. While I might not meet the expectations of a Google-like Chief Fun Officer, I think my work-related resolution for 2014 will be to encourage, instigate and participate in more office camaraderie.
Wishing you a happy new year and continued success in finding Sanity with a Paycheck!
NB: As a bonus laugh line for this holiday season, the following clip comes courtesy of the "Epic Battles of Rap History" series. If you are not yet familiar with this over-the-top internet series of mayhem, you should be.
This piece produced by AsapSCIENCE has my name all over it. Creators Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown break down the precise reasons that workers humans take every chance they can get to procrastinate. (Chances are you are procrastinating right now!)
See for yourself:
Thankfully, the video offers a great solution: the Pomodoro Technique. This time management strategy focuses on four major actions, all of which are ones I happen to think lead to Sanity with a Side of Paycheck:
Work with the time you have.
Eliminate burnout.
Manage distractions.
Balance your life.
While I don't follow the precise timing of Pomodoro, I do stick to a similar work-break-work schedule. Earlier this year, I purchased a Fitbit Flex. This personal health tracking device allows me to set a silent alarm (I schedule one every 45 minutes) to ensure that I take a break from what I am doing, get up and move around. I'll walk around the block, make tea or just shift gears from the project I'm working on to another. While Fitbit is definitely geared toward fitness, it also offers the benefit of shifting perspective and avoiding procrastination. Try it out!
Does your office sometimes feel like a zoo? Perhaps you need Ape Management to get everyone sorted out!
Ape Management is a Dutch company that studies primate behavior to better understand human dynamics in a group setting… much like the dynamics of any office. Founder Patrick Von Veen believes that studying our closest animal relatives is extremely helpful when learning about human relationships, communication and problem-solving. Apparently, stereotypes, managerial hierarchy, chit-chat and bullying are not solely limited to observations at the water cooler.
Ape Management's trainings and workshops for companies conclude with a unique outing to a local zoo or primate sanctuary where staffers observe and apply lessons learned from watching monkey interactions. This unique approach to inter-office politics has been utilized by mammoth corporations in the insurance, accounting and energy industries and receives glowing reviews from HR professionals and staffers alike.
So, are you and your colleagues in need of a field trip?
It is not everyday you get to peek into the office of a CEO. Thanks to Sam Rohn, we can virtually walk right into J.Crew's President and Executive Creative Director, Jenna Lyons' breathtaking office!
Click the link above to see the 360 view, courtesy of SamRohn.com
A couple of things strike me right away. First and foremost: the view! the view! I would not be able to get anything done with huge windows so close to my desk. Also, I find it interesting how neutral the office is. Despite the bright pink desktop and a few small pops of color, the walls, flooring and fixtures are basic and simple.
P.S. Did you notice how the vibe instantly changes as soon as you leave Jenna's area? The desks and cubicals of Jenna's worker bees are downright plebeian!
I love to tackle huge, seemingly insurmountable problems. To swoop in and save the day when everyone else has given up on a sticky issue or overwhelming problem. (Cue: super hero theme song!)
My problem? Cultivating everyday habits like making time for small talk with colleagues, remembering to drop off the huge pile of clothes for donation, or registering for that free class I wanted to take at the library.
Often, little events and to-dos pass me by while I am busy saving the world.
To my dismay, I recently learned that it takes more than 21 days to form a new habit. Alas, I cannot force myself to do something for three weeks and it will become natural for the rest of my life. Anecdotally, I know this, but why is that?
Research shows that intention is everything. Pure willpower is not enough! Instead, it is the deep desire to change one's lifestyle that ultimately wins out in the end. So, unless I truly want to get to know my coworkers better, act more philanthropic with my extra resources or become a lifelong learner, I probably will never will.
So how to get From Thought to Action? Psychologists propose that I spend a good amount of time thinking about what it is that I actually want to do or achieve. Am I simply looking to cross something off the perpetual to-do list? The satisfaction that comes from random acts of kindness? The confidence comes from being a good citizen and neighbor? Turns out that visualization is a very helpful tool when adopting new habits. Not only does it help with motivation, but it also helps identify concrete steps to turn a one-off action into a routine. I like the sound of that, since it harkens back to my strategy for saving the day (see above).
Now if only I could daydream visualize my way to math proficiency... well, I'm working on it.
NB:I got the idea for this blog, which was originally posted on SparringMind.com.
If you like to nerd-out on behavior psychology and trying new things, this is the website for you!
The inspiration behind this post should be obvious...
From the Wall Street Journal: http://on.wsj.com/1e0kRg8
It has been a busy summer: adjusting to the new job, several big work projects, lots of weekend adventures and never-ending yard work. A nap how-to really resonates with me today!
What is your strategy for managing big projects? This is a weakness of mine: not procrastination, per se, but psyching myself out to think that projects are bigger than they really are (and thus, avoiding them).
Thankfully, Bob Pozen comes to the rescue with a few tips on how to tackle big to-dos. (Full disclosure: I have a little enormous crush on Mr. Pozen with his Harvard creds, financial know-how and dreamy hair.)
1. What's the hold up? Identify the stumbling block that keeps you from starting in the first place. Is it fear of difficulty? Worries that you don't have the necessary resources to succeed? Perhaps success is not clearly defined? Figure out what holds you back, brainstorm or research your way around it and MOVE ON.
2. Contrary to Julie Andrews, don't start at the very beginning. Spend time thinking about the ultimate outcome and work backwards. Keeping the endgame in mind allows the project's strategies and tactics to be focused and efficient at all stages of development and implementation. There is nothing worse than realizing you've been chasing a red herring that leads you nowhere...
3. We've all heard it before: perfection is the enemy of the good. I am especially susceptible here. I want the best every time, even to my own detriment (and insanity). Mr. Pozen also shares my spirit of Sanity with a Paycheck and he says STOP! If the opportunity of time or additional resources is there at the finish, you can always go back to tweak or edit. In the meantime, stay on task and keep moving forward. Chances are no one will notice the wobbles anyway.
4. Teamwork. Every successful big project needs a successful team. Every person should play a role and every leader should delegate according to the skills and assets of his or her teammates. Mr. Pozen suggests another important benefit of teamwork that I never thought of: accountability. If everyone is emotionally invested in the outcome, chances are far greater that they will contribute in equal measure to achieve success.
5. Carrot>Stick. Deadlines motivate some, but usually in a negative way ("OMG! IT'S DUE TOMORROW!") Reward-based motivation spurs action early. Identify milestones in advance and properly reward yourself when you get there.
Want to learn more? Check out Mr. Pozen's book "Extreme Productivity: Boost your Results, Reduce Your Hours" here and also Inc.com's feature on big project productivity tips here.
We all know that change is good for us: trying different foods, making new friends, mixing up our workouts and rearranging our office space But, it's easy to place "changing careers" into another category altogether. It seems too hard, too far of a leap, maybe even too risky.
Below is an excerpt from a new blog series by Mark Turcek, President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy. Mr. Turcek used to be a high-rollin' Wall Street big shot until he realized he was ready to make a change. He gives some great advice (advice that I've used in the past and found helpful personally) in this piece posted on LinkedIn:
"My advice for those looking to make a change: Start now. Don't wait. Get engaged immediately..."
Instead of being paralyzed by a fear of change, Mark harnessed it to his advantage and took action: "There was no time to waste."
Sometimes you have to jump from the deep-end and take comfort that your body will float to the top. Oh yeah, and it will feel really good.
To read Mark Turcek's entire blogpost, head over to LinkedIn.
Here are my top tips to keep your Joie du Travail mindset while jet-setting around the world:
Pack Snacks. Pre-washed, pre-cut, finger-friendly food. Berries, grapes, carrot sticks, hummus and pitas, granola bites, nuts, cheese cubes, apple slices, whatever*. Throw them in a tupperware with a napkin and you're ready to go. You'll be so happy to munch away on good food while the masses around you suffer through Sbarro or Mandarin Express. *Exception: bananas... they do not travel well and nobody wants to dive into a brown one.
Download the App. Say goodbye to standing in line at customer service. I cannot tell you how many times the Fly Delta app has saved me in a pinch. You can use it to upgrade your seat, find and book other flights when yours is delayed, search old itineraries, book a last-minute hotel, you name it. In addition to Delta, I highly recommend Kayak, Southwest, Hilton Honors, TripAdvisor and XE Currency apps.
Do Yourself a Solid. Solid shampoos, conditioners and detergents save space and sanity when traveling through security with a carry-on. For travel-friendly, non-liquid body care products, I recommend Lush and I cannot live without Wash and Stain bars from The Laundress. You'll never come back to a hotel room that smells like your morning workout clothes again! Speaking of which...
You Really Should Work Out. Hotel gyms ain't what they used to be. In fact, I am constantly amazed at how nice some are compared to the gym I actually pay for at home. There is nothing worse than sitting in meetings all day, eating out for most meals and returning back to the hotel late at night feeling like a tired old slug. Even 20 or 30 minutes in the morning will give you energy and a positive outlook for the rest of the day. Traveling is taxing - so don't expect to set a PR - but putting on your sneakers will break up an otherwise monotonous schedule and leave you feeling positive. Bonus: You'll be glad you packed tennis shoes when stuck in the airport and want to take a concourse walk instead of watching the same CNN loop for hours.
Photograph Receipts. It is hard to keep up with those pesky crumpled slips of paper. Take a quick photo of your receipt with your phone right when you receive it. It takes 30 seconds and can save you so much hassle on the phone with Finance when you get back.
