For years I felt frustrated in my various jobs that would base my performance on how much face time I had in the office versus how much work I accomplished , and did well .
The traditional work environment was never the right place for me and I spent years trying to “ fit in ” to a mold that would not surrender .
I can get more work done between 5-8 a . m . than most people can get done in an eight hour day , but for employers who still live in a world of time clocks or casually walking past offices to see who is “ in ”, that world is not for me .
It has been life changing , working for myself and working from home . I still find I have to give myself permission , yes , permission , to go take a nap , or do something fun during the traditional 9-5 time frame , as if I am not being responsible or productive . Just yesterday , after spending almost five straight hours at my laptop banging out work for three different clients , and under the weather , I gave in . Out loud ( and for the pets to hear ,) I told myself to go take a nap . It is OK . You are the boss of you now .
With my dog at my feet and the cats lounging around me , I stood up , and said “ guys , I am going to bed .” Howard , ( my dog ,) knows exactly what “ bed ” means and he was the first one up the stairs , and within minutes the rest of the zoo followed . They all knew it , and they all approved .
If you are a boss , I implore you to know your employees- their strengths , weaknesses and most of all their levels of self-motivation , because I know what I bring to the table , yet I spent so many years “ fighting ” to fit it , and ultimately my employers are the ones who lost out .
Now , I am sitting at my dining room table , drinking my coffee and planning my day that includes working with clients across the country ( and internationally ) and a massage in the middle of the day . And , with all of the technology I have at my fingertips , it ’ ll as if my clients and I just walked out of meetings in person .
Trust in our ever changing world of remote working , conference calling , apps galore and most importantly , your staff . Give them the tools to be successful and to do their jobs while offering flexibility and support to manage all the challenges life throws their way . Face to face time , sitting in a chair in an office doesn ’ t make someone or a team more productive- in fact , as I know for certain , only hinders the work flow
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