A Whole New Work Day
Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 09:39AM Liza Cunningham What makes for a good work day?
This question has been a big point of discussion and reflection for us lately because we are starting down a new business path developing web applications (more on this later). For anyone starting a new job, changing career paths, or becoming self-employed (or all of the above) you may have struggled with this question as well.
In our new role as application developers, we are now in "learning" mode (instead of "doing" mode). Everything about how we manage our time and workload has changed (all good, of course). But it means a whole new workday, one that is totally unfamiliar, and with different measurements of success.
This has challenged us to reconsider the measurement of success for each day. Rather than deliver a product to a client which has a solid measurement of success (client is happy = we know we did good). We now measure the intangible act of learning something, which is slow and painful at times. And yet somehow it is satisfying.
But it can also be dissatisfying if our expectations are too high. For example, how much work is really done in an 8 hour workday? Have I budgeted 10 hours of work in a 6 hour day (between meetings and interruptions)? If I work 5 great hours and solve a big problem at my company is that enough? Does time equal success? (And, does blogging qualify as work?)
From this reflection the most important question emerged:
"How will I feel satisfied at the end of the day?"
Armed with this perspective I plan my day and decide what actions will be satisfying as well as realistic given the landscape of the day.
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Special thanks to Matt Cornell, my idea collaborator.
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Reader Comments (1)
> learning mode (instead of "doing" mode)
Isn't it interesting that we separate the two? Richard Davidson says it perfectly (http://www.madisonmagazine.com/article.php?section_id=918&xstate=view_story&story_id=235582 ):"The brain is the organ that is built to change in response to experience more than any other organ. It is built to learn. It's a learning machine."
> This has challenged us to reconsider the measurement of success for each day.
An important and difficult question. Looking forward to your continued thinking on this.
> But it can also be dissatisfying if our expectations are too high.
I've experienced this too. Why is it we do this to ourselves. Are we crappy self-bosses?
> Does time equal success?
How about this: "Seat time does not equal Meat time" (brain = wetware)
> "How will I feel satisfied at the end of the day?"
Bingo!
> Special thanks to Matt Cornell, my idea collaborator.
Much appreciated! And I *love* the title.