This just-for-fun blog post is for you girls who work on your own, or one day hope to.
It's only been a couple of months since I've left cubicle world and started working with Wonderfully Made, and it's already an exhilarating journey. I'm jumping in head first and learning so many things -- some ministry-related and some marketing-related -- but mostly a lot of little life lessons that one comes across when she leaves her office job and sets up camp at her local coffee shop (or even kitchen table) all day long:
- Sit near a plug. Computers only have batteries that last so long. Before you know it your battery sign is red and the percentage is decreasing by the second. Not so good for productivity.
- Bring a snack. Free office snacks are no more, and now you have to fend for yourself.
- Wear comfy clothes. It seems so obvious, but it's hard to get out of the dress-cute-for-work mentality. When working on your own, it's better to just dress for yourself. New uniform: yoga pants or shorts with a soft shirt.
- Meet up with friends. For lunch, coffee, walks, etc. The biggest lesson I've learned is not to underestimate the value of interacting with other human beings throughout the day.
- Take breaks. At the office, breaks are a given. You get up and go to the bathroom, you get another cup of water, you chat with your friend a few cubicles over. But when you're on your own, time warps into another dimension, and breaks can sometimes disappear into thin air. Don't get me wrong, I'm not productive 100% of the time; but there definitely have been days when Brian comes home at 6:00 and I can't fathom how the whole day went by already! Break time is a necessary part of producing good work, so don't skip out on it just because you aren't in the office.
Though I do miss the activity and buzz of the office, I wouldn't trade my current job for anything. I have never been more energized nor felt more like I was using my gifts and strengths than I do now.
Do you work in a non-traditional environment? What tips & tricks have you picked up along the way?
