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I Work Where I Am & When I Want

posted on June 5, 2011

Marriott Workshifting

It is no secret that I’m a big fan of the concept of workshifting. This being the ability to work from anywhere I happen to be located at the moment. It means not being chained to a desk and lost in a cubical farm in some nondescript building in a downtown cityscape.

This shot was taken in my hotel room last week when I was getting some writing done before heading over to our Content Rules event.

What this does NOT mean is being chained to my technology either. It doesn’t mean that I work 24 hours a day and never stop to enjoy the life going on around me. I know that I’m most productive in the morning and late at night. That is when I get a large chunk of my work done. Plus, anyone who knows me knows that my mind rarely stops thinking and noodling so sometimes my best work is done while going for a walk or hike.

I work hard, but I also work smart. I make sure my clients are happy and that my tasks get done. But, I also make sure that I do them in the best possible way and try not to waste time on getting them done. This means that I can get away from the computer and do other tasks as well.

I’ve got my phone with me always. To call it simply a phone is really an understatement because it allows anyone in the world to get ahold of me at a moment’s notice if they need to. I know that if something is important enough I’m easy to get in touch with through a multitude of ways. If you can’t find one, then you are not trying hard enough.

I travel everywhere with my iPad, iPhone and Field Notes. With those three things I can work anywhere, but I always remember I also work when I want to. Because I know this, I can sit down on a porch swing in Burlington, VT and look at the view above for a few minutes without checking my twitter feed or e-mail. Sure, I did check to make sure there were no fires burning out of control, but then I kicked back and just enjoyed the wind on my face and the beautiful nature around me. Plus, there were some psycho wind surfers to video tape!

Last night as I watched my Boston Bruins play a crappy hockey game, I’m sure there were conversations happening that I missed out on by not checking Facebook and Twitter, but I left the technology on the coffee table and ignored it. When a Friend pinged me about something, I answered immediately. But, then I put it right back. Always within reach, but not always top of mind.

The definition of work and the 9 to 5 culture is evolving. Yes, there are plenty of jobs where this approach needs to stay in place, but if yours is not one of them I don’t understand why you keep yourself locked into that mindset. You need to figure out how to work smarter and what a healthy work/life balance looks like for you. It is different for each of us.

Life is far to short not to enjoy as much of it as you can.

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Categories: Nomad / Workshifting
  • http://www.hallme.com/blog/author/amanda/ amanda_pants

    Love it! Working smart is key. I have definitely been following the mantra that ‘work is a state of mind and less a physical space’ for a few years now. Thanks for sharing how and when you work!

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      I agree fully. The SMART part is what people miss so often.

      Not all tasks takes hours or days.

  • Anonymous

    I’ve been working by the pool, bathing suit and all, while starting a new business with my sister.  I find that the combination of working and being outside inspires me to do more work.  And, when I need a break I jump in the pool or walk around the yard and move about.  My only wish is that each day were nice enough to sit by the pool.

    Thanks for sharing your virtual office.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      How do you work with the glare? Honestly that is one “hardship” of working outside sometimes is that the sun doesn’t play nice with screens. *grin*

      But, good for you on knowing that taking a break is a needed and important part of working. Somehow we’ve lost that it seems.

      Best of luck with your new business.

      • Anonymous

        It’s tough.  I have a MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone so they all are subject to glare.  I do have a large market umbrella I sit under but I still see the reflection of me squinting at the screen.  I guess the price of working outside is a few more wrinkles around the eyes :)

      • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

        Probably a worthy price to pay right? *laugh*

        I do the same thing when I work on my back deck. Can only do it a few hours
        at the right time of day under a big umbrella. The fresh air is worth it.

  • http://twitter.com/frankkendralla Frank Kendralla

    CC – Great stuff! – I have two quick questions.  
    1. What is the difference between the field notes and other smaller note books (I have been a fan of carrying small note books for nearly three decades and always look for smarter ideas.)
    2. What do you carry your stuff in?  In the winter I utilize my scottevest coats but in the summer, it is a different story.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Nothing is really different about the actual Field Notes notebooks. I just really like the people behind the brand and how they have built it into something more than just notebooks. Check out their site and follow along for a while and you’ll see how they are great story tellers, share their loves and talk about so much more than what they make. I hope to meet them somedays.

      I’m ALWYAS on the search for a better bag to be honest with you. I’ve been using a messenger bag from Spire for a few years and it has served me well, but I’ve never been totally happy with it. Just bought a GR-1 from http://www.goruck.com that I can’t wait to begin using to see if it meets my needs or not.

  • http://twitter.com/wallisphoto William Jason Wallis

    In some ways it sounds like you are more of a slave than cubicle workers: the electronic leashes of a cellphone, twitter feed and always-on wifi.
     Cubicle workers at least get to go home at 5pm.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Obviously you COMPLETELY missed the point of what I was saying.

      Too many people allow technology to turn into an electronic leash. I choose not to.

  • http://twitter.com/NancyD68 Nancy Davis

    This is right on time for me. I am working on this issue right now in my life. I was too available all of the time. Now, I am starting to put family time and relationship time as a higher focus, especially at night and on weekends.

    I am also more productive in the morning. I need to get a laptop or notepad or something so I can be more mobile. Being alone all day does not suit me all that well.

    Always within reach, but not always top of mind. – that is excellent. I am copying that onto a sticky, to put on my computer.

    Thanks for this post, CC

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      I’m glad that this post helped a bit. Keep me updated on how you do.

      While I’m NOT a morning person at all, I’ve found that those first few hours of the morning before everyone else in the house wakes up are golden hours to be productive.

  • http://davelinabury.com/ Dave Linabury

    “Always within reach, but not always top of mind,” is the best definition of the 2011 working environment. Ever.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Glad you like that. I hoped people would think about it and take it to
      heart.

      HATE that so many people have fallen into the trap of allowing the
      technology to become a leash rather than a tool.

  • Tammy

    Wonderful Dave! Perfect food for thought today as I sit at my same old desk at the same old place doing the same old thing.  I too am working on stepping out of the brick and mortar and enjoying life.  Looking to love what I do and do what I love.  This has inspired me.  Thank you!

  • http://maneydigital.com Mike Maney

    Good friend of mine posted your post to his Facebook profile. For me, the more accurate description is not work shifting; it’s life working. It’s the only way to live/work. Once you’ve made the jump, there really is no going back.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      You are totally right about no going back. 

  • http://www.associatemelody.com/ Melody

    I love working where ever I am, when I want, life is definitely too short. Although I don’t have a smart phone yet I rely on my cell and lap top to keep me connected to take care of my business in an effective and timely fashion. It’s easy to be too connected by the electronic leashes. It’s wonderful and inspiring that you have figured out how to create a healthy work/life balance.

  • http://twitter.com/write4unj Nancy Passow

    “Life is far too short not to enjoy as much of it as you can.” — Thanks for the reminder, CC! I’ve had my own business, working from home, for over ten years now. Still working on finding the right balance.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Maintaining the balance I’ve found is a constant battle which is made a bit easier and harder at the same time when you are your own boss.

  • http://www.anotherjennifer.com Jennifer

    This is the first time I’ve heard the term workshifting, but it’s exactly what I’m transitioning to right now. Working for myself, when I want and where I am. I also work best in the morning and at night. In between, my focus is my two kids. And I’m always reachable if someone needs me. When you can figure out how to balance work and life (and turn the electronics off), it’s divine!

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      It is a phrase that Citrix coined, but I’ve adopted because I really like it.

  • http://www.youintegrate.com Kneale Mann

    Technology can too easily be a crutch. Watch people at events as they walk into the lobby for a break, the smartphone stare begins. What do these people do? Are they running a small country? What happens when they sleep? Do clones step in and run said country for them?

    Life IS too short and when you work for yourself, you can get badly hooked into checking your gadgets far too often for fear of missing something. And you will get your wish, you will miss your own life.

  • http://www.profkrg.com Prof KRG

    Do you find that you do a good job of finding balance? For me, always within reach means almost always checking, reading or working.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Yup I do. I’ll leave my phone in my pocket or sitting on the desk for hours
      at a time without looking at it. If someone calls or texts I’ll look at it
      and if it is important I’ll address it. But, if it isn’t I know it’ll be
      waiting for me when I’m done whatever else I am doing.

      • http://www.profkrg.com Kenna Griffin

        You have excellent self control. Tips for that?

  • http://ariherzog.com Ari Herzog

    It is intriguing you define the number of minutes or hours you exist without looking at your Twitter feed or opening your ipad. You can’t work a single day (or more) without tweeting or without your ipad? How boring your parents’ work lives must have been, eh?

  • http://www.technodo.com/ Andrew

    Good read; having a phone and tablet definitely changes the way we stay connected. Your first picture really says it all; the days of fiddling around with laptops are slowly coming to an end. Are you getting the new iPad?

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Yup, it’ll be here tomorrow.

      I have the first generation one and didn’t upgrade to the second because there wasn’t a need for me. I’m ready to have a camera for video conferencing and a faster processor to run the new batch of apps.