January 31st, 2010
The System 332: Office Zen
Sorry for the delay on this one, Systemics. The creative well has been running a bit dry as of late.
Still, I think we have all been here. Does a good deed really go unnoticed? When it is to be noticed early in the morning in an empty office, I think so. I think there’s a follow-up about coffee somewhere in there.
February 1st, 2010 at 3:28 pm
while it hardly ever happens because i stay up too late to get into the office early, i've always enjoyed coming into a dark, empty office and working alone. it's quite peaceful.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I like the "fifo" method–first in, first out (yes, that is a real term).
Plus, being in early–no distracting phone calls, meetings, annoying co-workers, get to make coffee the way you like it (ok, the act of making the coffee is probably not a +).
Let's not forget though–if you are in early and your boss isn't there to see it, will he/she know you were there or when you cut out on time, will he/she think you are not giving your "all"? It's the tree in the forest bit, but when it comes to money (specifically raises) then someone does hear.
On the other hand, if you are ahead on your projects, being in early and finishing ahead of schedule will make you look very impressive and put everyone else to shame.
But then again, you might be handed more stuff because you are considered so very efficient.
Personally, I go for fifo. I like the "sounds of silence" (1964, Simon & Garfunkel–think Mrs. Robinson. And, if you don't know what a cougar is, you don't know what you are missing!)
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:32 am
The whole point of being in the office early is that you can shoot dirty looks at everyone else as they come in, as if to say "And what have YOU been doing while I'VE been here working my ass off?"
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:04 am
Maybe Rossmom should get her own area on here or her own blog for stuff like this? Seems like you usually have some advice that goes with the topic that I haven't thought of/heard.
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Like a lot of things, getting to work early should be its own reward.
That being said, at my last job I had a boss who always showed up late and stayed late. He worried that everyone noticed as he walked in late (he was often late to his first appointment of the day) but no one noticed how late he worked in the evening.
So he took every opportunity to mention how late he stayed the previous day. It was very annoying. It started a running joke:
Q: How can you tell how late Bob was here last night?
A: He'll tell you.