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What “work” looks like

blog.jim-nielsen.com

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Re: What “work” looks like

#51

Post by lkrubner »

I strongly agree:

"The mantra of sharing your work and involving everyone in decisions naturally leads to inviting and copying people into things that add no value to them, or you."

Fred Brooks, in his book The Design Of Design, includes a section on "The Magic Power of Teams Of Two". In his opinion, large teams cannot get anything done, and most innovation comes from individuals, but Brooks feels that teams of two people are the sweet spot for innovation. You and one other person -- if that other person can challenge you in the right way, offer a different perspective, or fill in holes in your knowledge, then instead of slowing you down, they speed you up.

I personally have found that meetings of two people (me and one other person) are where all the most important conversations happen about solving problems or plotting strategy. I wrote about that in "Truly Agile development revolves around one-on-one meetings, not daily standups":

http://www.smashcompany.com/business/truly-agile-development...

Re: What “work” looks like

#52

Post by newaccount2021 »

hrbf wrote: post #42

Back when I started as a freelancer, I initially copied the 9-to-5 rhythm of „working“. That, despite having viewed this forced window of work as one of the biggest annoyances that come with a job. Over time, I could overcome this „weird“ feeling of not sitting at my desk while working. It went quite a bit like the author describes: - Load up on context and information. - Start outlining the problem. - When stuck, tr…

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Re: What “work” looks like

#53

Post by blibble »

hrbf wrote: post #42

Back when I started as a freelancer, I initially copied the 9-to-5 rhythm of „working“. That, despite having viewed this forced window of work as one of the biggest annoyances that come with a job. Over time, I could overcome this „weird“ feeling of not sitting at my desk while working. It went quite a bit like the author describes: - Load up on context and information. - Start outlining the problem. - When stuck, tr…

> However, while employed, have you tried to go out for an extended walk or do something else away from your computer, outside of the building you are required to work in?

I'm 2 decades into my career amongst multiple different employers in different industries (including traditional stuffy ones), and I've never had anyone even raise an eyebrow at people wandering off for a few hours unannounced

if you're billing the client by the minute then maybe I can see why they'd get upset, but otherwise, as long as you're delivering, who cares?

Re: What “work” looks like

#54

Post by npteljes »

nonrandomstring wrote: post #15

Boss: "Hicks, how come you're not working." Bill: "There's nothing to do." Boss: "Well, you pretend like you're working." Perhaps the biggest sink on the economy and environment is perfomative work that David Graeber calls "bullshit jobs". Commuting 100 miles to sit in an office to be seen to perform is tragic and borne of insecurity of both manager and worker colluding in a game. I think what constitutes work exists…

>Perhaps the biggest sink on the economy and environment is perfomative work

I think nothing illustrates this better, than the productivity output of Japan vs other developed nations[0]. In Japan, there's a lot that you need to do at your job performatively: strict schedules, logging what you do have been doing in small intervals like 30 minutes, checking in and out formally, having to keep up with coworkers outside of work, tons of pressure and appearances, and long hours. And yet, productivity is not great.

[0] https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h01196/

Re: What “work” looks like

#56

Post by JamesianP »

quickthrower2 wrote: post #43

These people going for walks, taking showers, napping and solving problems: I don’t have this experience. Instead for me it is using pen and paper that does it for me. And it seems more efficient to have a computer nearby to browse code or docs while I do it. Breaks are helpful for maintaining energy but not for eurekas. But I agree that if walks make you more productive and you are thinking about work then that is a…

I think the key is being able to genuinely relax from focusing on the problem to help your thinking. To allow an opportunity for those competing thoughts that aren't making it to your awareness because they are beaten by whatever train of thought you are stuck on. Little rituals like taking a shower (or sitting on the toilet is a popular one) distract you so you can relax. Or they should. If it isn't working for you maybe you are too good as staying focused and aren't getting the benefit from relaxing. Thinking about work while walking would defeat the purpose.

Re: What “work” looks like

#57

Post by ok_dad »

I installed Steam on my work computer and I play a bit of something that’s fun but also engages my engineering brain when I need a break from work but want to keep flow state going somewhat, like a city builder.

Re: What “work” looks like

#59

Post by gernb »

I find I'm way more productive when I can discuss solutions with coworkers often. Run ideas buy them, etc. My thinking gets clearified and they often suggest things that lead to better designs.

With that, I get a clearer mental picture and implementation goes much much faster than when I'm alone.

Further, I can't think everything through so being able to bounce ideas off coworkers as I'm implementing is invaluable

If I'm doing rote grunt work then I don't need to discuss

Re: What “work” looks like

#60

Post by rrwo »

This goes for most "work" that requires a bit of thought and planning.

People are expected to be at a desk for X hours a day so they can be managed, monitored and measured.

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