I heard it in the distance. Those feelings that hearken from childhood, emerged. But I was on deadline for a story working from home, so I was technically still working, albeit differently. I fit into the 20 percentile group of people who want to work differently, not less. The stats come from Cali Yost’s 2007 Work+Life Fit Reality Check survey. Yost takes a look at how employees view their worklife flexibility. Just last night it hit me like Santa coming down the chimney shoot with a big bang. I’m a stat. But I’m a happy stat – here’s why.
It was as if I was on the lookout for Santa waiting by my open front door last night with a grin from ear to ear. Twenty-degree winds blew in my face, while I shivered in my barely presentable sweats which often serve as pajamas as I often work till wee hours of the night before rolling into bed. Yet it was only approaching six o’clock.
My wireless phone in my hand, (I was expecting a conference call momentarily) I had the other hand pressing on the screen door handle, only cracking it a bit because it was cold, but readied to push it open, upon arrival. I heard the top of the news hour on CNN, and was listening closely as I was waiting for a particular financial story. My kitty Gema was lingering around the door, wiggling her tail as if chilly and meowing at me to shut the darn door.
And then it happened. the UPS man came across the icy snow drifts on my front lawn like a big brown bear in the night with a big brow package. He approached the door, I flew open the door and he pushed an 80 box into my living room. I thanked him, signed the electronic clipboard and said goodbye.
Before I had a chance to rip open the box – there it was – the sounds of that newscast music signaling the start of the program. I took another look at the box but opted to watch the story. And in perfect timing, my conference call was a few minutes late calling in.
So here I was on my living room floor, in my sweats, opening the box to my new home office chair, while on the phone with a client. It’s a perfect world. I need the flexibility to work a little different than most, but it doesn’t mean I work any less. I’m happy, content, and look forward to sitting in my new chair.
