I've been touched by the messages I've received from hive people asking after me and to check in to see how Faith and I have been coping with the virus situation.
Like many others around the world we've been subject to lockdown restrictions and have been forced to work from home; We are also working through shortages to every-day items and planning ahead for the financial implications that are sure to come down the track.
I'm pleased to say, that Faith and I are doing well. This is mostly due to the level of preparedness I have at all times and the fact that I'm always trying to think ahead of the game. We are in good spirits and have a good supply of the essentials: Chips, donuts, whiskey, coffee and Lego.
So, overall I have to say we're coping well, managing what is a pretty bad situation, and keeping our spirits up as best we can in these troubled times.
One thing I have noticed though is how different working from home is when compared to an office-based workday.
Normally I'd be out and about meeting clients, conducting meetings in the office and cafés and generally slaying it. During those activities and meetings I always dress accordingly of course...Suit, and sometimes tie. You can see a picture of what that looks like below on the left.
Looking my best, leaving the right first impression and presenting well to clients, new and existing, is a key element of my work as it helps bring confidence to the client, and of course, myself; Looking and feeling good is a great confidence-builder and brings me great productivity.
[Image has been removed]
Now I'm working from home...Well, the look isn't quite as important and standards have slipped just a little.
Last week I think I got fully-dressed once...A whole once! And that was only because I had to go on a hunter-gatherer mission for supplies (Corn chips and salsa dip). Yes, mission was accomplished.
Generally I've been half-dressed. Shorts and no shirt, track-pants...Pyjama pants and top...Boxer shorts...Completely pantless...That sort of thing. It doesn't really matter I guess; No one sees me and my effectiveness at work is all about listening to my clients needs and expectations, what I know, what I say and how I say it. As long as I remember to throw on some clothes before I video-conference then it's all good. (I wipe off the corn chip crumbs too...Mostly)
Above is a picture of me exactly two weeks after starting the work from home reality, the one of the right. Talk about juxtaposition huh? I mean look at the two images, one from 6 months ago, the other from last week.
You'll note how quickly my beard has grown and also that I'm keeping my apocalypse-survival supplies close to hand. [Toilet paper and Spam is apparently all one needs to get through this virus.]
Working from home hasn't been the easiest thing; Apart from the obvious problems of eating too many snacks and my beard getting in the way when I type there have been other complications. There is the lure of Lego-building, playing with my cats and cuddles with Faith and other more logistical issues like a more complicated process around document (contract) creation, scanning and printing; I have to do it with my home multifunction centre rather than one of the massive copier units we have at work.
I've been productive though, in fact from a new-business perspective I have been as effective as every other week...And all whilst only barely dressed. Miraculous.
Thanks to you guys who have checked in with me and I've been pleased to hear those I've checked in with in return are all going well, or as well as can be in this scenario.
I hope y'all doing well, and don't mind my little attempt at humour here...I guess It's my attempt to lighten the mood, maybe not yours, but my own...Things have been a little heavy lately and whilst this all needs to be taken quite seriously I think it's also good to find a little something to smile about. Don't you?
Take care y'all.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.
Be well
Quite clearly, I think, this post is not designed to be taken too seriously. Later y'all.
