I survived my first week WFH with all my mental faculties intact. I’ll consider that a win.
And actually, I was quite productive, though I always seem to get more done at home versus the office. I’ve gotten really good at tuning out the distractions and focusing on assignments when working from home, whereas at Ye Olde Media Company there’s often a dog in my face or a popcorn machine beckoning or social banter taking place. Don’t get me wrong, these are all good things—but they slow me down. I think, when this is all over, I’m going to try to do this regularly, maybe once or twice a week.
I’m also proud of the fact that I’ve gotten dressed to go to “work.” Hey, when your commute is measured in steps rather than miles, it’s tempting to lounge around in a smoking jacket all day.
OK, fine. The only reason I haven’t done so is because I don’t own a smoking jacket. If I did, though…
Ahh, dare to dream.
Tomorrow, I was supposed to be going into the office for a couple of hours to co-host a webinar about working from home. Which is kind of ironic when you think about it. But then my supervisor had an idea to do a split-screen format where I’m home instead, which does lend more of an air of authenticity to the whole thing. Looks like we’ll be heading in that direction instead.
Really wish I had that smoking jacket now, ha!
I’m not crazy about video conferencing, though. I mean, up until two weeks ago, I had never even heard of Zoom. Now, Zoom is all I ever hear about (other than social distancing, shelter-in-place, stay at home, and all these other buzzwords that, quite frankly, I hope to never hear again once this crisis is over). I feel a bit self-conscious knowing that millions of people all over the world are tuning in live and hanging onto my every word.
OK, it’s more like a few dozen in the immediate Rapid City area. But still! It’s slightly intimidating (though less so than if I were in the office, I suppose).
Link-Happy Positivity
I’ve got to say, I like the way Ye Olde Media Company is responding to the crisis. We are trying to focus on the positives while providing useful information to others struggling to get through these trying times.
If you’re interested in some of the “serious” articles I’ve written (as opposed to the usual fluff here on my blog), feel free to click on any of the links below. The topics are self-explanatory based on the titles.
How to Work from Home Productively
Why Tone is Important in Times of Crisis
I realize that linking to professional articles renders the whole Ye Olde Media Company alias unnecessary, but hey, I like it. YOMC. Sounds like a disco song.
Taking a Time Out(side)
When Tara arrived home Friday evening, she texted me to ask for help unloading a few things from the truck. So I slipped on a pair of shoes and went out the front door to meet her.
“Oh, my god!” I exclaimed, arms outstretched, gazing around in wide-eyed wonder as I took in the fresh air. It was all quite theatrical, like the hills-are-alive scene in The Sound of Music. “I’ve forgotten what the Great Outdoors feels like!”
It was then that I realized I hadn’t set foot outside in two and a half days and vowed to remedy that situation. Saturday morning, since the weather was delightful, I drove the few miles to Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park for a bit of hiking. The park, called M Hill by locals (probably because there’s a giant M painted on the side of the hill or somethin’), has a network of some 50 or so hiking and biking trails totaling over 20 miles. Obviously I didn’t do them all, but I did manage to knock out four miles and got to enjoy some great scenery while doing so.
There were other people out and about. Not a lot, and the few times I crossed paths with somebody, we gave each other the CDC-recommended six-foot-wide berth. It was just nice to not be surrounded by four walls for once.
I’d make a crappy prisoner, I guess.
Note to self: don’t break any laws.
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