Working During a Pandemic

We’re in very strange times, that’s for sure. The entirety of humankind is trying to social engineer a defense against a microscopic threat, yet here I am wanting to talk about working and how well it’s going in spite of the pandemic.

When I was first inspired to write this brief post, I decided against it because it felt too much like bragging. After all, not being able to work is clearly on the minds of MILLIONS of people right now. But really, this isn’t about me; it is a testament to how working on a phenomenal team makes it possible to be busy and happy with my job no matter what the rest of the world is up to.

I’m glad to work with friends, to have tons of work to do, and to see my projects succeeding. As a person that already works from home, this whole situation hasn’t been much of a change for me, but it has been fantastic to see how well the rest of the team has been doing with it. It really matters how companies handle situations like these; we all gain some solid insight into what a company values and how much it can adapt. My group has certainly adapted and after a week or so, I think we’re back in the groove. We’re not slowing down — we’re picking up! I’m grateful that work is the last of my worries (which is precisely how it should be during a pandemic).

Some tips for companies:

  • Let people work from home if they can!
  • Make sure your employees aren’t worried about taking sick time or personal time to figure out family situations.
  • Lead by example: if CEOs or leadership video conferences from a home desk just like everyone else, people are less nervous.
  • Be transparent.
  • Be understanding.

Tips for individuals:

  • Develop a healthy morning routine.
  • Take breaks and go for a walk outside.
  • Establish rules for disruptions during work (when my door is closed, I’m in a meeting).
  • Communicate often in the chat.
  • Leave room between meetings for personal time like getting water, checking in on kids, grabbing a snack, etc.

Stay healthy, everyone!

Checking In

I started a new job last week in San Diego! I’ve been really busy coordinating the move, learning what’s necessary to do my job, and struggling to keep up with my crazy life. I certainly haven’t forgotten about my blog, and I’m working on a few (hopefully interesting) posts little by little. I’ll be updating LinkedIn with my new job’s details soon, so check there for more details.

Our Solar System

My five-year-old daughter is such a science nerd — I wonder where she gets it. She surprised me with a drawing she made for me, along with her ability to describe it with such fascination and detail. She informed me that she didn’t color the planets correctly but, and to paraphrase, she wanted to express some artistic freedom. I begrudgingly informed her that pluto is no longer considered a planet. I’m particularly happy that she managed to correctly draw rings on the four outer planets, though I couldn’t figure out if she did that because she knew that they all have rings. I mostly blame Bill Nye and the makers of the Magic School Bus for her knowing so much about space (maybe I’m a little to blame too). I only hope her passion for space and science continues. I’m so proud of my little girl. Our Solar System