๐ Ways to Make the Work Commute Bearable (Not Including Getting a Job Nearer to Home)
๐ 'The Cubicle Chronicles' - Episode #1
๐ฌ Quotes
โMeetings are what happens when people arenโt workingโ โ Elon Musk
๐ ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ปโ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ. ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐๐ฒ.
Itโs true.
It's not that office workers despise the physical office; rather, it's the daily commute that leaves a bitter taste in our mouths.
The surge in remote work options has highlighted the attraction of flexibility for employees. The office, symbolising routine and rigidity, is now looked upon more favourably when the commute is short. The digital age has conclusively demonstrated that productivity can happen outside of the traditional office - hence hybrid work.
Ways to Make the Commute More Bearable (Other Than Getting a Job Next to Where You Live)
Podcasts are a no-brainer - for education, for entertainment, for peace. Many of them are such quality products now.
Phone calls - I had a boss who always checked in on his team when he was in the car on his way home. It makes the chat feel relaxed and more engaging. The employee was asked to send a follow-up email if anything was required of the boss when he was back at his desk.
Or ring a friend or family member - driving home is as good a time as any - theyโre probably doing the same.
Silence - try some of the commute in silence - radio silence. Let your thoughts bubble to the surface. Itโs remarkable how you are reminded of things to do, questions to ask, solutions to provide
Itโs an easy thing to get Siri to take notes while youโre travelling. Draft emails, record To-Doโs, or actions, dictate a story even!
I use the time to practice a speech or an upcoming presentation - I record it on my phone and listen to it back. (Catch a train? Well, bad luck or good luck to those around you.)
Even try some of your best impressions - โYou talkinโ to me?โ. Or practice asking your boss for a raise. Let the words echo around the car until they sound normal.
Is this starting to get weird?
Good!
A commute alone in the car is the best place to practice your weird.
๐ โThe Cubicle Chroniclesโ Episode #1
"The Cubicle Chronicles" weaves a captivating tale of ambition, love, betrayal, and the complex dance of relationships in the high-stakes world of office politics. Will the characters emerge unscathed, or will they succumb to the pressures of their corporate environment? Tune in to find out in this gripping soap opera set against the backdrop of the corporate jungle.
Think of โThe Cubicle Chroniclesโ is a tale of fiction, if you like.
Main Characters
Melanie Highgate
Position: Business analyst
Personality: Cynical, well-worn, humble-bragger
Backstory: A stalwart of the business who has a dim view of those who donโt acknowledge her longevity and knowledge. Wants to be the most important person in the business, but without the accountability.
Alexandra "Alex" Reynolds:
Position: Senior Marketing Manager
Personality: Ambitious, confident, and fiercely competitive.
Backstory: Known for her sharp mind and go-getter attitude, Alex is determined to climb the corporate ladder. However, her past holds a secret that may jeopardize her professional and personal life.
Charlie Fordham:
Position: IT Specialist
Personality: Easygoing, tech-savvy, and charming.
Backstory: Charlie is the go-to guy for all tech-related issues in the office. Unbeknownst to his colleagues, he has a hidden talent for playing matchmaker and loves to meddle in the affairs of others.
Olivia "Liv" Davis:
Position: Junior Copywriter
Personality: Creative, quirky, and a hopeless romantic.
Backstory: Liv dreams of becoming a successful author. She finds inspiration for her romance novels in the most unexpected places, including the complicated relationships that unfold within the office.
Richard Thornton:
Position: CFO
Personality: Authoritative, mysterious, and enigmatic.
Backstory: Rick is the powerful and elusive CFO of Sterling & Hartmann. Despite his position, he keeps his personal life well-guarded, leaving room for speculation and gossip among the employees.
Episode #1
As the clock struck 9:00 AM on Monday 23rd, the hum of fluorescent lights and the rhythmic tapping of keyboards filled the air. Cubicles, neatly arranged in rows, became the temporary homes for the diverse personalities that made up the workforce at Sterling & Hartmann.
Alex, the Senior Marketing Manager with a penchant for power, strode purposefully through the office, her heels clicking with each step. She couldn't help but notice Melanie at her desk, head buried in her work, seemingly impervious to the surrounding office chatter.
Ignoring the unspoken rule, Alex decided to test the waters. "Melanie, how was your weekend?" she asked with a forced smile.
Melanie looked up from her computer screen, her expression unchanging. "OK."
Undeterred, Alex pressed on, "Anything exciting happen?"
A heavy sigh escaped Melanie as she turned to face Alex. "Just the usual."
Alex raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. Melanie's reputation for being closed off and โnot-to-be-botheredโ was well-known in the office. If anything was interesting happening in her life, she certainly wasn't sharing it.
Meanwhile, in the IT department, Charlie was busy troubleshooting computer issues while subtly observing the dynamics around him. His eyes flickered towards Olivia, who was engrossed in tapping away at her keyboard. The air was thick with an unspoken tension, hinting at the romantic undertones that had been brewing among the colleagues.
In the corner office, Richard Thornton, the elusive CFO, stared at his computer screen, seemingly absorbed in the financial reports before him. Little did his colleagues know, a storm was brewing in his personal life that threatened to spill over into the meticulously crafted facade of professionalism.
As the day progressed, the mundane routine of office life took an unexpected turn. An anonymous email landed in the inboxes of all employees, containing sensitive company information. Panic swept through the office as whispers of a possible whistleblower circulated.
Alex, always alert to opportunities, saw this as a chance to prove her loyalty and dedication to the company. She initiated an impromptu meeting to discuss strategies for handling the situation, positioning herself at the centre of the crisis.
Meanwhile, Olivia, fueled by the intrigue surrounding the office romance, couldn't help but weave the leaked information into the plot of her latest romance novel. Charlie, caught between his role as an IT specialist and a budding matchmaker, found himself in a dilemma as the investigation intensified.
As the clock ticked towards the end of the day, the employees of Sterling & Hartmann were left with more questions than answers. Little did they know that the events of Monday 23rd were just the beginning of a series of twists and turns that would reshape the dynamics of their professional and personal lives. The cubicles, once silent witnesses to the monotony of office life, were now witnesses to a drama that would unfold in unexpected ways.
โฆโฆโฆ.. To Be Continued, NEXT WEEK. Sign Up Now So That You Donโt Miss An Issue