It’s the first really warm day of spring, today. I’m certain that, being a Friday, today’s balmy breezes will summon downtown workers outside like a siren’s song. This is the time of year that many people rediscover the outdoors, the fact that the sky doesn’t end 7.5 feet over their heads, and that the airlock door in front of their workplace actually leads to a space that’s pleasant.
In the tumble of employees heading out in the mid-afternoon, there are the inevitable business emergencies, last-minute reports, and obligatory meetings. We contend with them like grown-ups, but part of us rails against the idea that we’re “stuck” inside. Do we really need to be there? I’m not saying we shouldn’t take professional obligations seriously, but do you really need to do the work in a closed room? Why not go and enjoy the rest of the world?
The last time I saw groups of people influencing their organizational meetings like this was in college. Does anyone else remember this question, “Professor, can we have class outside?” Why not ask that same question in your current context? Likely, you’ll get the same kind of support we saw in school: other students wanted to be outside, and the professor (given the choice) often felt the same way. Generally, we had an endorsement to relocate, as long as the lecture didn’t require overhead slides. Hmmm. Need to work on the outdoor video conferencing problem.
We’ve managed to convince the members of our weekly staff meeting that the day is calling for exactly this kind of change. We’re taking a bike ride, conducting business at an “undisclosed location,” and rediscovering our community. As an aside, for the benefit of any senior leaders reading this post, we will return to the office for a full day of work.
I would encourage others to consider how easy it is just to get outside and do what you need to do. Whether you have Seasonal Affective Disorder or not, I leave to your clinician, but I know I get an attitude boost just from being in the great outdoors for a few minutes a day.
If, even after your best pitch to your manager, you’re still bound to the inside of the building, at least try to say close to a window. It might be a tease, but it makes finally getting out there that much better.
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