What’s on the iPod: You Were Never There by Diego Garcia
HOT day at the ball park! Not sure how hot, but when we got home our thermometer (the one in the shade) registered 87 degrees. But there was a nice breeze and I had a new Phillies hat, so we toughed it out. The Phillies prevailed 10-4. Not bad for a Thursday afternoon.
Watched a great segment on Morning Joe yesterday – Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough assembled a fantastic panel of guests to discuss the value of women in the workplace. I thought I’d heard all I cared to hear, but I was floored by the stories by some of these most powerful women (senators, singers, CEOs) who were in positions to make decisions that adversely affected their images at work, their incomes, and their voices within the company. Just fantastic dialogue, and I hope it’s a segment that’s repeated and posted on the Internet.
I’m finishing up the newsletter today and I hope I’m able to talk with a contact Monday (he and I both forgot it was a holiday, I think). If not, Tuesday for sure. There are a few contacts I need to reach out to today for upcoming projects, and I want to touch base with my collaboration partner on our upcoming project.
A few nights ago he and I were sitting in a restaurant when he said, “I don’t know how you can stand being alone all day. I’d go crazy.”
I smiled. How do you explain to someone who’s spent decades in an office setting surrounded by scientists and other like-minded souls that it’s fantastic to work alone? You can’t. You can only say something like what I said, which was “I’d go crazy if I had to answer to twelve people at once again.”
Maybe it’s because creating requires a bit of solitude, but I love every minute of my job. I can’t think of a better way to work – with no one around to stick their heads in the door, call me to meetings, tie me up with lengthy conversations or bitching about office politics, or force me to eat one more birthday cake. If you’ve never held a full-time office job, watch Office Space. That will cure you of any desire to do the 9-to-5.
Here’s why I love being alone all day:
I call the shots. All of them. If I have an agenda and I don’t like it, I don’t have to follow it. I don’t have someone coming in and killing my story because he found something sexier to cover.
I make the hours. Truth is, when I worked in an office, I was there eight hours because I had to be. My work was usually done in far less time than that, but rules are rules. If I finish my work early now, I get to garden, meet a friend for lunch, or catch up on Ghost Hunters or Project Runway episodes. I still get paid, and more importantly, I don’t get hassled because I’m not looking busy.
I can ignore phone calls. Ring away! You’re not bothering me. If I’m busy, I can keep on writing without worrying if the boss is on the other line.
If I can’t work with someone, I simply don’t. This didn’t seem important when I spent the first three years working with fantastic bosses. However, they left and in came the, well, not fantastic boss who didn’t care for me in the slightest. Now if I have a client who’s unruly or somehow not meshing with my personality, I move on. I still get paid, I still can work, and there are no Walk of Shame moments to repeat.
I can take an hour each day to work on my personal writing – and no one will care. Try that in the office, especially in the environment of IT monitoring and employers looking for any reason to downsize or shed the unwanted. At home, I can write when I want. Even before lunch.
I save two hours a day to spend however I want. That was my commute time. You don’t realize what a loss that is until you get home and find there’s no time to do much more than cook and collapse in front of the tv. Now I have two hours to waste. And yes, I savor the wasting.
Why is it okay for you to be alone all day?
11 responses to “Why It’s Okay to Be Alone All Day”
I would be perfectly happy not interacting with anyone for weeks on end. Which is why I make myself get involved and blog and other stuff. I like being able to attend events during the day, should I choose.
I can get easily distracted by conversation, which doesn't happen when you work alone. Sure, the occasional phone call shakes things up, but it's easier to cut a call short than tell someone to get out of your workspace.
If it's too quiet, I turn on a talk radio station (non-abrasive hosts only). I consider the news people, weather people, producers and hosts are my virtual co-workers.
Best of all? I can go pet my dog whenever I want!
Agree wholeheartedly with so many, but several I truly am one with you on: I can ignore phone calls, I can do what I want if I'm not crazy busy, and NO COMMUTE!
Boy, I don't miss being a more aggressive person because I had to elbow my way through the throngs daily. I'm so much more zen these days.
I'd add to your list being able to laugh during the day because my dog is next to me all day, often doing something boneheaded. And I get to take him to the beach every afternoon. THAT'S rejuvenating!
I saw a little bit of that Mika/Joe conversation. But on my flight back from my vacay last Thursday, I also read an interview with Mika in More Magazine. Never heard of the magazine, but I was impressed.
Anyway, the interview with Mika was fascinating. She talked about how she worked for ages on Morning Joe making peanuts, along with the various ways she tried to push a raise through. Yelling and poking her boss in the chest didn't work. What worked was knowing her value and calmly laying out her case. Well worth a read!
I'm looking forward to making the jump to working solo because my office is *very* loud and distracting. I enjoy being around my co-workers, but there's no peace and quiet in which to work. At all. They know I'm a writer and need quiet to work productively, and yet, it's still a madhouse with people yelling across offices and goofing off and joking around.
I do honestly enjoy the interaction when I have a few minutes to spare, but I'm so distracted most of the day that it's very difficult to get everything done that needs to get done.
But most of all, I won't miss the commute. Mine isn't even very far, but arriving at work and back home angry every day is no fun.
I particularly like that part about "I can take an hour each day to work on my personal writing – and no one will care." I just wish I had more discipline to pursue that matter (even 30 minutes would be a great accomplishment).
I can take enough time to do my household errands during the day, instead trying to cram into the lunch hour and failing.
I love the silence… and being able to work without interruptions. Oh yes, and being able to ignore the phone if I'm busy. Leave a message. Or better yet, email me.
Devon, I'm beginning to feel like solitude is my preferred state. I love working in a quiet house. 🙂
Paula, I guess that means I can talk to Fishy without weird looks. 🙂
Gabriella, Mika continues to amaze me. I may pick up her book. She's teaching us something our daughters should learn, too – assert your needs.
Ashley, there's the thing – I love being around people, too. But when I'm working, I would shut the door and not want anyone around. Even the human contact got to be too much. LOL
EP, I'm the same way. I know I can, but I don't.
Good point, Damaria. I just got back from a quick trip to the store with my daughter. 🙂
smiled when I saw the title… love being home alone… almost always, and when I need folks, well they are pretty easy to get to..
Naps! I can take a nap!
And go to the store or the gym or walk in the canyon when it isn't crowded…
I do remember that it was hard at first, but not for very long.
Wow! This sounds like the best job ever. 🙂 But seriously, having that kind of freedom is priceless. Now the trick is getting to that level.
Next week working from home may pose a challenge. I've got about 10-12 phone interviews to do and should have the handyman selected and hired to repair the damage from some giant hailstones the other day. My dog WILL be barking.
Naps! Anne, I've yet to partake, but that's a great idea. I signed up for a voluntary energy conservation program – the electric company will cycle off my AC during peak periods for about an hour and a half. Maybe that's a good time to nap on the swing outside…
You'll get there, Wade! I've no doubt. The more you work the marketing and keep your fees where they should be, the faster you'll make it.
You know she'll bark, Paula! LOL Good luck juggling all those interviews and the work people.