VIRTUAL, HOME, OR HYBRID OFFICE

 Lots of discussion these days about having hybrid employment; to work from home versus a physical space in an office of your employer or your own business or rented space.  You can rent an address or host your conference/meeting at a location.  You can choose from a variety of services such as: professional business address, receipt of your mail, mail forwarding, drop off and pick up points, and even lobby and directory listings.  Have you heard of a cybercafe?  You can drink coffee and access a computer to do your business.  And, if you are not interested in the cyber cafe for business you can connect with friends or play video games.  In certain areas of the world, it is the only place to connect with the rest of the world.

The virtual office may have a receptionist to answer your daily calls and take messages, freeing up your time to conduct your day-to-day operations and attend events or meetings.  The virtual office allows you to increase productivity and reduce travel expenses.  An address in an exclusive downtown area will give your future and current clients a sense of validation and trust rather than an 'I work from home' impression.  It can increase your reputation allowing you to still work from the family farm or vacation home in the mountains!  And, that is key:  to work from anywhere in the world.  No more concerns about leaving 10 minutes late and facing the dreaded parking lot experience on the major highway to commute to your destination.

Although the virtual office may sound good to some, the home office can provide an equally satisfying work environment.  There may be some challenges when dealing with the family schedule.  Or the dog or cat may want some more lovins or walks down the block.  And, that refrigerator or pantry may be just too convenient and close to your workspace.  We must define these issues with our loved ones and set parameters.  When I was first told I had to leave my office and work from home in March 2020, I was devastated.  I enjoyed working with my work family.  My husband works outside of the house and feels I need to quit work when he comes home.  I've always been a worker and enjoy my work.  This is something both of us have to adjust to.  The cat...well, it's really hard to get Ms. Kitty to understand so I created a comfy space for her on my L-shaped desk.

I did realize that working from home got a bit old after about six months.  I yearned for human contact.  I could feel a bit of loneliness and understood how some became depressed from their isolation or frustrated by conflicts while working in the household environment for months on end.  Some people told me they absolutely loved working from home.  They could flip the laundry, prepare meals, school the children, and still manage their workload.  They also saved money and time.

When I was able to experience the hybrid office, I was so glad to see my work family again.  And, my employer FINALLY allowed my team to go back out to the community, conduct in-person meetings, and still work from home as much as we wanted.  For me, this experience opened my eyes.  I was confident in a way I had not experienced before.  I realized I could start my own business, working predominantly from home, AND meet people whenever I wanted.  I was ready to take on the new challenges of entrepreneurship and have increased my relationships and found many new and exciting things to do and learn.  

Technology has come a long way.  Employers recognize the changes and have embraced a more humanistic approach to their employees.  Opportunities abound for us to find the best work concept that fits our needs and our lifestyle.

LESS IS BEST

 Decluttering is a good way to reduce the number of items in your home, garage, basement, or office.  There is a policy I learned when practiced, that will keep you from accumulating the stuff in your office.  This application can be used in other areas of your home and office as well.  It is known as the 'clean desk policy'.  At the end of each day and before you turn out the light or shut your door take a look at your workspace.  Are there piles of paper strewn about your desktop?  Are there encrypted messages and manuals or invoices laying haphazardly about?  What is haphazard?  This is a collection of items without any organization.

I wrestle with this policy.  Not because I do not like it but, because I can work some long hours and am too tired some nights to clean up.  I get so involved in many tasks.  By nature, I am a multitasker.  It can frustrate me.  This is a skill I work on and hope to someday master.  When I successfully followed the policy of cleaning my desk off at the end of my work day, I realized the most wonderful things.   One, I looked back at my workspace as I left for the day and usually walked away with a smile on my face.  Two, I arrived the next workday and felt a freshness of a clean beginning to the day.  And, I had all my papers, manuals, and other work-related items filed or put away in a space (locked if needed) I could remember and easily access.

I begin by taking a look at my individual stacks.  Just typing this blog forced me to look at what is on my desk.  My agenda opened at all times with the week's appointments before me for easy access.  The two main booklets I use for notes on my book writing and business lie just underneath.  Business cards and a small indexed file box are within easy reach.  A stack of books for reading and my pens and highlighters and then...I realize something.  It happened again!  Clutter.  I put them in their place too!

Perhaps this blog will help you take a look at your desk and start the clean desk policy much as I just did yet once again-today!  Enjoy the relief of clutter and the awakening of creativity.

DECLUTTERING YOUR SPACE

Do you feel cramped by the piles of 'stuff' on your desk, under your bed or in your closet, in your basement or garage?  I do.  My motto:  cluttered spaces create cluttered minds.  Your ability to think becomes more challenging.  Your creativity comes to an end.  Gradually, over time, you begin to feel frustrated or anxious just looking at the piles and depths of the clutter you accumulated over time.  Some people will even create so much clutter they become hoarders with barely a pathway leading from one space to another.  For those people, I suggest seeking help from a certified counselor.

BUT, for the masses of us the clutter is bothersome and annoying - not debilitating.  Clutter in your office space where you spend a great deal of your day slows down your ability to create and complete your tasks. You may not be conscious of its impact.  Recognizing how much 'stuff' is too much 'stuff' has a bit of a range of when is enough too much.  If you think about it, if you talk about it, if you sit in your chair gazing without much on your mind - a sort of paralysis - I believe you have arrived at the core of the problem.  

We recently had a flood caused by a leak in the copper pipe just above the hot water heater while we were over 1,800 miles from home.  Initially discovered by the cat's caretaker hired for daily visits to the feral feline (aka Ms. Kitty-she had adopted us during COVID 2020.)  That cat ultimately saved us from far greater damage and losses.  After returning from our 7 week hiatus from the life we had comfortably become accustomed to, I decided to take on the task of moving the mutually acquired 'stuff' into one half of the basement.  It took two of us hours to complete the task of organizing.  With each movement of the almost empty metal gallon containers of paint, the plastic shelving units, and red and green plastic containers filled with Christmas items it became obvious we had a lot of unneeded items taking up way too much space in the basement.

I was forced to deal with the excessive 'stuff'' and painfully aware I was a greater part of its creation than I admitted.  I began the reduction process of reclaiming my space.  Throwing a dozen empty paint cans away.  Taking bags of Christmas decorations to the Goodwill.  Rearranging my Christmas wrapping paper bins and the shelving units placing 'like' items on each unit.  It is a work in progress and one I will visit until I feel more comfortable with the items we decide to continue storing.  

In the meantime, that project led me to focus on my office.  One clutter removal process led to another.  I feel my mind is more open to my workspace and enjoy the sensation of less is best.  I look forward to a more productive and happy year in my organized space.

STOPPING TO SMELL THE ROSES

I have learned roses come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes and can exist in various climates.  Roses are named after Presidents and celebrities.  Rose gardens are a challenge of many a gardner; including my husband.  Their beauty is enhanced by the local honey bees frequenting the hybrid bushes we planted in a circular shaped bed in our back yard.  A ring of roses!  Bees are attracted to the nectar and scent.  To collect the pollen they grab the anthers and vibrate their thorax against them to release the pollen.  Their buzzing intensifies during this process.   The bees are also attracted by the color of the roses.

I love roses!  My mother introduced the rose to me at a very young age.  She had several rose bushes outside the front of our home.  She pruned them, watered them, and clipped them placing them in a vase with fresh water and put it on top of my dresser.  I was the only one of six children she did this for.  I enjoyed the smell and looked at the delicate petals; amazed by nature's artwork of color and texture.  The  stems covered with prickly thorns as a reminder of the source of divine creation for their protection. The smell of those roses lasted for several days.  I kept them until stems became limp and the petals had fallen off.  For my sixteenth birthday, my boyfriend gave me two dozen red roses.  I felt so special and enjoyed breathing in their intoxicating fragrance for over a week.

Although, we may not be able to grow a garden of roses because of the climate zones we live in (you can check out the USDA Hardiness Zone Map for your area at https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ ).  They are available at florists via the local neighborhood store, retail grocer, or online stores to have them shipped to your front door.  Enjoy the beauty and smell the fragrance.  Life is too short to avoid the connection of the senses to these beautiful plants.  Even though you may not be able to afford or have the time and space for a garden perhaps just taking time to enjoy the beauty of something around you.  Take in the fragrance/smell, focus on the color or texture, touch the object to feel it, and absorb the mental imagery.  Images last far longer than words.  Break away from your daily tasks at intervals - for just a few minutes - to enjoy beauty.

I also have several orchids in my office.  One variety, Cattleya, have wonderful fragrances.  Another variety, Oncidium Sharry Baby, is known for its chocolate fragrance and does not take up as much space or as large nor temperamental as the Cattleya.  I do like the challenge of the latter.  I have a mirror, windows, a black carpet with a gold leaf-like pattern, and a variety of lighting fixtures to provide additional ambiance.  Throughout the day, I take a few minutes to look at them and focus on their beauty.  I am inspired and feel good as I return to my work.  

THE BEGINNING AND THE END

 Just like what goes up, must come down your work week begins and ends.  It's how you begin the week and how you plan for the week which, determine how you end the week.  Taking time to plan equates to success.  I used to think of work as something I had to do.  Somewhere I needed to be.  For a period of time each week.  Usually, with set hours of 9 to 5 from Monday through Friday with weekends and holidays off.  I had a few jobs with varying hours and times and days.  Some required me to work weekends.  There were also times I could not wait for lunchtime or the clock to to show me the much awaited time to depart and go home to do whatever I pleased.  I would go home and make dinner or go out with friends.  

That was the life or so I thought.  No one introduced me to anything different.  My family never spoke about planning other than our weekly camping outings over the summer months.  At least not until I got into a sales position in mortgage over twenty years ago.  AHA!  I became associated with people that  wanted to do better.  People who wanted to reach a goal or make a significant contribution to the workplace.  Some needed a pat on the back or other forms of recognition.  There were others that enjoyed the accolades of posh trips and significant bonuses for out producing their peers and driving up the sales numbers.  It became quite exciting to me.  I wanted be a part of this newly found occupation.  I wanted to have my name on the board and my numbers generate envy and applause from my co-workers.

BUT, I didn't know how to get the phone to stop ringing or take advantage of it.  I couldn't keep up with the messages for my response.  I felt like the proverbial tail was wagging the dog.  I was exhausted before I got started each week.  I dreaded the mounds of files on every surface in my office, including the floor, and countless pieces of torn pages on my desk.  Little notes in shorthand scribbled on them as I could not write fast enough.  I was glad I had two years of classes in shorthand in high school.  

One Friday, I met with a local business man like we did most Fridays for coffee and donuts.  Neither one of us needed the donuts.  We began to realize we were in a bit of a quandry.  The work wasn't getting done due to the enormous amount of anxiety from the endless weeks of frustration.  We had an epiphany.  A light bulb of an idea.  We realized we needed help and began the search of books to read and CD's to listen to and magazines to subscribe to.  We attended seminars with well known speakers.  Each of these sources narrowed down our problem in a few words-planning to succeed.  Sure there were a lot of ways to get there and each of them divulged their magic bullet.  I enjoyed listening and reading and having open discussions on so many topics.

We had a solution and worked on the processes to get control of our work and our week.  We realized the planning and scheduling were a key element to success.  We became more disciplined.  We practiced techniques.  Eventually, we discovered we had time to meet and talk about our progress.  We made a schedule we could live with.  The days were long.  There were fewer sleepless nights.  He managed to honor his commitment to end his day far sooner than I.  Looking back, I had more control over the later part of the 22 years than I thought I did through proper planning and scheduling of my time.

BRANDING

This is not like the cattle branding you see on Yellowstone; however, once you have determined whether you have a business or a hobby you will understand my point of relevance.  Brand is something you want to establish for your product, business, or service for its lifetime.  First; look at what you want to do.  Take time and do your due diligence.  Research is key here.  Google or Bing it for goodness sake!  If there is one thing we know it is the value of a search engine.  Use multiple keywords much like someone would do looking for your business.  Are there other products on the market already?  If so, what do you offer that is different or are you much the same?  Do you offer better pricing?  Do you have the capability of expanding in the future or do you feel you have an adequate location to operate from?  A hobby is well; just that.  A hobby is something you like to make or do but, the prospects of making money from it is not long lasting.  

Think about what you want to do in a long-term time frame and what your end goal is.  Here are a few more questions to answer.  Is this something you can retire with?  Is there potential to sell the business when the foundation for profit is adequately made?  Each one of these scenarios requires a bit of a change in the thought processes and ways you want to approach branding.  Other items may be added to a product line.  Honing in on just one item may not ultimately be your brand.  There are name brands out there you can think of or when someone mentions them to you, an image appears instantly in your mind.  That is a brand.  It is an immediate recognition of the product/service/business.  There is no confusion of what is being sold.   As an aside, a logo represents the brand upon visualization.  The logo is not the brand.

Branding strikes a note like on a piano keyboard.  It is unique.  It is easily recognized.  It elicits an emotion, a sound, or mental imagery.  It is the uniqueness of the business unlike any other.  I started my women's networking group over 10 years ago. As a group we named and created a logo for it and  named a scent of a candle for WOW (women optimizing women).  I wasn't thinking about brand or logo when I started.  My primary reason for creating this local group was devoted to the philosophy of a mission.  To engage other women in a good quality of networking to build their business with others of like-mind.  I wanted to spread the word of WOW.  I wanted to give my gift of leadership and tenacity and teach others to build their strengths while doing the same with others.  Eighteen months ago I discovered I had a business and subsequently created an LLC.  The website WOWWOMENUS.COM was launched on March 1, 2023 to coincide with National Women's History Month.  WOW communicates the mission of building, establishing, referring, and support.  

WOW brings women of all ages, nationalities, religions, occupations, cultures, and socio-economic levels together.  It does not compartmentalize, fragment, or isolate women.  WOW is true diversity.  The brand is the culmination of all things WOW including the logo.  WOW - do it...together!

INCREASING YOUR EXPOSURE TO GOOD RELATIONSHIPS

I attended both a local county chamber event and community business meeting earlier this week. The attendance isn't necessarily what it used to be but, more people are stepping out and attending.  It may be difficult to leave the comfort of your sanctuary in your home office or business to justify the travel time or the expense of attending local events and membership fees.  The "C" (covid) experience gave us another reason to limit our exposure to other people and meaningful community and personal  involvement.  I get it.  I have heard from many people about their pre-existing conditions or their concern for their health as they had such a bad illness and recovery.  I can appreciate that and we should have been using healthier protocols when visiting our elderly in the nursing homes, having large groups meet in small places, or hugging/kissing others when we were a bit 'under the weather'.  No one wants to get sick.  I also realize the positive impact from attending celebrations and events with other people. 

The endorphin hormones are released when your body feels stress or pain.  They send messages to help relieve your pain, decrease your stress, and improve your mood. Endorphins can be similar to that of morphine like the 'runner's high'.  That euphoric feeling you get.  The five 'happy hormones are: dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin.That sensation of satisfaction as you and others experience clean up from the celebration and drive back to your sanctuary as your reflect on  the visions and conversations you had earlier.    By changing your lifestyle through diet, exercise, meditation and attending events where there is human interaction may be the ticket to claim a healthier mindset and overall body health.  Practice and commitment is required.  The more you do something, it is debatable as to how long the change becomes habit forming, the more you are apt to improve your quality of health.

In addition to the other activities, I recently held an event for my WOW - WOMEN OPTIMIZING WOMEN/WOWWOMENUS.COM.  WOW is my passion.  My zest in life.  My desire to help other women come together and enjoy the company of like-minded women of all ages, occupations, and professions to increase their business awareness and revenue.  These ladies are from non-profits, government, library, small business, corporations, or are considering a start-up business.  The feeling of accomplishment and the joy from being together and sharing ourselves with one another brings out the best in each of us.  We may arrive with a bit of trepidation or a sense of anxiety as we wonder if others will find us interesting and want to do business with us or find our mission worthy of a deeper relationship.  The answer is:  yes, we do! 

I look forward to both attending other community events, virtual experiences, and our WOW events.  I hope you will take the step forward to discover the amazing people around you and to embrace what we do.  I also know there are so many people waiting to meet you, too!  We look forward to the pleasure of your company.