The pandemic has caused a new adjustment in the way of working for everyone. Working from home has become the new social normal in the way that we work and conduct business. Instead of a 30 min – 2 hr trip to the office, I have the luxury of rolling out of bed and sludging my way to the kitchen for a fresh cup of coffee and logging on to my computer to be ready for the work day. I’ve saved soooo much travel time, gas, money, but just not being expected to go to an office. Us tech professionals are lucky that we can work from anywhere and still get to do all the cool things that we love to do.
But everything has a cost. The cost is an overall low morale in the way that we techy’s tend to alienate ourselves and get lost in the code, configurations, problem solving in our own flows. Because of the pandemic we have found yet another reason to no longer cross paths with our colleagues and when we do, it’s usually a battle of ‘wit’ and who can be more correct than the previous statement. But it doesn’t have to ALWAYS be that way.
I consider myself an introvert with extroversive tendencies, meaning I love nothing more than to be at home, and spend time with family and people that I consider most sacred to me. While I work i can put on some good tunes and rock out to some metallica or slayer ….perhaps some electronic video game music soundtracks while I code or do some busy work; yet, there is still some part of me that craves the social interaction…I don’t want to admit it, even to myself, but it’s there…it’s in all of us. We just choose not to listen most of the time. It’s hard……and I just.don’t. wanna!
Today the team wanted to get together and discuss an upcoming project. The little voice inside said ‘Wouldn’t you just much rather stay home? :)’ There was much internal grumbling as I poured myself into the car and drove to the office. While on my way, it may have been indigestion…who knows ?
As I badged in to the front office and opened the next door to the workstation area, I glanced around sheepishly to survey the landscape and find the closest desk in hopes not to be seen. After a few scrolls on my phone while pretending to be uninterested and unaware of my surroundings; It was time for my 10 AM meeting. I met with the team and we grabbed a cube to discuss the project, only a few minutes of awkwardness and it was just like old times again. We were twice as productive as when we all were on a video phone chat and we were able to instantly capture all of our energies with each other and put it into our project. Miscommunications were sorted almost instantaneously, everyone in the room felt valued and accomplished. We allotted 5 hours for the meeting and needed only 3.
Afterwards we all grabbed a bit to eat at a local bar n’ grill restaurant and I was instantly reminded of a previous tech job I had when going out to eat with colleagues was a common occurrence. I had missed the laughs in a group and the witty banter about things that didn’t truly matter. Getting to know my colleagues on a personal level. Working and deciding the fate of the world is all well and great, but it’s the relationships with our peers are the ties that bind us. Ultimately, I think it is the change in routine that led to the appreciation of working together.
I’ve always believed that routine is a sign of stability, but change is a sign of growth, we need both routine and change to be a well-balanced professional and being able to identify when it’s time for change and when it’s time for routine. Working from home is addictive and could lead to the demise of our own journeys. Find balance with your introversive tendencies and know that even though being social around your colleagues may be uncomfortable, it’s what helped you be the great professional you are today.
