Re:Ask HN: Mandated to be in office as an engineer. How do I...
by themodelplumber on Tuesday July 11, 2023 @02:40AM
(#36677209)
Some ideas for you:
- Note the times of day (ultradian-style) when you can best work in this environment. Use objective metrics where possible. Most effective emails sent during these hours, best code written during these others.
- Consider the above a zone of reconciliation with the environment--something about you has accepted the environment for its current state and allowed work to happen
- For the rest of the time, change things up, take more breaks if needed, schedule time away, put on the extra-heavy noise cancelling headphones, cover your sightlines temporarily, etc. Protect your dopamine reception.
- Big picture: Keep promoting the idea (within your teams at work and with leadership) that a truly creative and professional environment should accommodate different environmental preferences to the benefit of all. Find people who think like you do. Make it a point of negotiation if possible in an upbeat way.
- Note the times of day (ultradian-style) when you can best work in this environment. Use objective metrics where possible. Most effective emails sent during these hours, best code written during these others.
- Consider the above a zone of reconciliation with the environment--something about you has accepted the environment for its current state and allowed work to happen
- For the rest of the time, change things up, take more breaks if needed, schedule time away, put on the extra-heavy noise cancelling headphones, cover your sightlines temporarily, etc. Protect your dopamine reception.
- Big picture: Keep promoting the idea (within your teams at work and with leadership) that a truly creative and professional environment should accommodate different environmental preferences to the benefit of all. Find people who think like you do. Make it a point of negotiation if possible in an upbeat way.
Sorry it's a pain and good luck.