Mindful Musings

Ever since I started this new job, I have been trying very hard to get back into the routine of working 8 hours a day and then getting back home to fulfilling my responsabilities as a son and a boyfriend. It has been a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. Here are some of my observations:

• Vitamins are a Godsend! They make a huge difference to your energy levels and your well being (especially on Mondays). I take the stuff with Ginseng and other herbs in it and I would recommend a good bottle of vitamins to counteract the effects of mundane office life.


• Work productivity goes in crests and troughs. I notice that my productivity is at a low point early in the morning, increases with the day till lunch time, drops off right before lunch, is at a low and rising after lunch, at a peak during mid afternoon and wanes off very quickly towards the end of the day. I think the week has very similar troughs as well, with Thursday (strangely) being the most productive.


• If you work in front of a computer, then posture and ergonomics DO matter. A nice keyboard with a proper handrest along with a nice mouse help a bunch to reduce stress levels and a nice chair back (or compnesated with an extra lumbar support dealie from Office Max) makes a difference. I feel the effects quite succintly because of my bad back and my inherent fidgetiness. If I am more comfortable in a position, I stay in that position longer, thus increasing concentration levels and thus productivity.


• Fluids are an extremely necessary part of office life, be it in the form of coffee, soft drinks or iced (or otherwise) tea. They keep your mind slightly distracted, give your mouth something to think about and they make you pee, another way to get out and shake it off. Crass, I know, but effective.


• A personal music player is another gift from the Gods. If you want to get away from the din of office life or just away from slamming doors and coworkers yelling at each other through their cubicles, a nice set of headphones and some good music hits the right spot. Music helps me concentrate and be distracted at the same time. My parents never quite understood how Dave Matthews was helping me solve Calculus problems, but he does.


• Another little electronic trick that is extremely useful is the changeable ringtone feature of office phones. I love the way I can tweak mine just right so I know that my phone is ringing, even in the next room, even through my headphones. I dont have to worry about missing that important call from Jennifer anymore.

This is the first installment 0f my “Office Space” schpeil, look forward to the second one soon.