How to make the office more bearable
I hate cubicles. I hate desks. I dislike most
meetings. Most offices remind me of dog kennels. We were made for
the outdoors. Sunshine actually increases your serotonin levels.
Over in Russia
where everything looks like “Joe vs. the
Volcano,” the average life expectancy
for men is 60 years old and the whole nation has a massive vodka addiction.
So, when it came time to outfit our new office, I turned the
creative types loose. They built a patio out back where we can drink
cappuccinos and work on wireless internet. It feels like a Starbucks.
I refused to get a desk. Karen bought me two
overstuffed chairs which recline.
If I have to have a meeting, we go outside. Yesterday
our drama ministry management team met at the park and ate enchiladas (which
was a comical scene since the restaurant didn’t include any forks). Our
marketing team met at Mark Almand’s house.
If I’m going to a checkup meeting with a direct report, I
like to go on a walk. My favorite spot
is my porch. I don’t hold my direct reports to the clock. If they
want to work at home, that’s fine. We’ve become very decentralized with
offices scattered around the country.
We’ve put more of our database online so information is accessible
anywhere, anytime.
Jesus promised us abundant life – I think that begins with
the place where we spend our daylight ours.
As frequently as possible, we should throw a party, have a worship
service, or find an excuse to go on an adventure. Work can happen along the way.
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That is one of the reasons I love you so much! Working in the wilderness… that’s what I’m talking about!
Gary, Next week when you’re here, it’ll be my back porch and 60 World Racers!
This is a fantastic idea. Somehow having a warm coffee/tea/chocolate shop with windows everywhere to see the beauty of Montana in the winter is something I’ll have to find. In the meantime, I’ll at least enjoy this fall in my new home. Thanks for the encouragement and permission.
thanks for letting me not hold to an office…i hate my office and would rather meet on the porch
I just started a blog with some stubs of articles and copied one of your posts. If that isn’t okay, just let me know.
http://sproutmeansgrowth.wordpress.com
Can I come work at your office? That sounds amazing.
Well, I wish I could say we’re “all that.” We got overcrowded here and cubicle-land arrived. I was chagrined, but we’re building a new office.