The above picture is my second to last desk at my last office job. That window was my saving grace at times, so I went into a mini-depression when I was eventually moved to a different desk that faced a structural pole. The symbolism wasn’t lost on me, and my moping even prompted a sweet co-worker to put up a picture of a window on the said pole. As much as I appreciated the sentiment, it clearly was not the same.
The spaces in which we work become quite important to us – sometimes even more so when we are sectioned off a small piece of a shared office space. It is our little piece of property and symbolizes that you have a place in this larger structure. I’ve worked in a handful of offices, so I recognize that in comparison the above picture is pretty grand.
There were regular debates in our office about whether or not the “open” layout was a good or bad thing, and while I would get annoyed with constant interruptions it was indeed better then the “cube” environments that I had worked in prior. It was also so fascinating to see the way in which each individual kept their desk – how they marked it with personal pictures, kept it spotless and tidy so that they could ‘pick up and leave whenever they wanted,’ or had endless stacks of paper lined up from edge-to-edge. It was a little window into that person.
I have to admit that since I left working in a conventional office, I have missed it. I never thought I would say that, but there are days when I crave the co-worker interaction and the benefits that come along with that. So, I felt a little better about this when I read a recent New York Magazine article, “To the Office, With Love” by Jennifer Senior. The article questions what we are losing out on when we leave the office environment and become freelancers and entrepreneurs.
The author is self-admitedly a “creature of the office,” so her examination was from the angle of what is lacking when you decide to become a “freedom-seeking, self-determining, autonomous entrepreneur.” I wholeheartedly agree with some of her points, and I fall under a lot of the statistics that she quotes. For example, I am one of the 36% of people who met a close friend at work. I will be forever thankful to my last office job for bringing some of my most favorite people into my life.
I do not regret working in office environments for 10+ years, because I learned a great deal. I wouldn’t be where I am today without those experiences, and it taught me a lot about working with different personalities, how to check myself, how to be more patient…the list goes on. It was an undeniably valuable experience, but that doesn’t mean that I have to continue doing it forever. I also worked in a school environment, which is starkly different then an office environment, and I learned a great deal there as well. My point being – getting experience in different environments and working in different ways can only benefit you as a worker – and more importantly, a human.
The article also mentions the idea of “identity stress” and that people who decide to freelance often times deal with this type of stress because they are left asking “who am I?” and “what is my purpose?” The argument being that when a person has an office to go to, with an assigned desk and their name on an org chart – this is answered for them. This is what I found most disturbing of all. It explains just how much American workers wrap their identity up in their jobs – and I find this highly problematic.
Yes, we should love what we do and have jobs that we find meaningful, but our jobs should not be our identity. In fact, this was one of the very reasons why I decided to leave my office job – I wanted to be more then just my job or title. I wanted to see myself as the complex person that I am, and have the time to create what I wanted my work to be. I wanted that freedom to do multiple things and pick the work that truly interests me.
Freelancing and being an entrepreneur do indeed bring along their own challenges. As I have come to learn and openly share – doing your own thing does not equal rainbows, puppies and peaches. It is hard. I agree that it isn’t for everyone – and I have days where I wonder if I am suited to do it. The author is dead on when she says it is not just about doing the work, but also acquiring the work. You have to want it and be willing to go after it, otherwise – you are screwed. It’s not going to fall in your lap.
A friend recently told me about a job that was opening up in her office and that she thought I would be a great fit. The organization is doing good work and the thought of a secure paycheck was very tempting. I stopped into her office to pick something up, and that was all I needed to make my decision. Just being in the cube environment made my chest tight, and the thought of being required to be at my desk every day at 8am made me want to vomit. I had my answer.
I told another friend about this and she told me that the very things that made me anxious were the things that she loved about her job. She loved that she had a place to go everyday. She loved that there were clear expectations of when she should be there and when she could leave. She loved that she knew exactly what she was expected to do every day. She could never do what I was doing and live in the uncertainty of it all.
Everyone is different and therefore everyone’s needs are different. One person’s ideal work environment is another person’s worst nightmare. The importance is that we allow people to make those choices for themselves and provide different avenues in which people can make a living. Each individual has to be honest with him or herself about what they need and find the formula that works best for them. And as the author points out – it is creating a fair playing ground so that everyone has the chance and right to make that decision.
For me – it’s gonna involve a window. No matter what.
I think if its a highly collaborative office (like the architecture/engineering. design industry) then yes, it could be seen as a necessity and maybe you would be missing out as a freelancer.
However, industry/job requirements are not enough, as each individual’s personality type, and, the actual indoor office environment all together play a vital role in leading to daily productivity, and ultimately a successful business.
The open office layout has become very popular in the past decade for numerous reasons, mainly because of the economic-savings aspect of it from a business perspective: no extra walls, doorways, cubicles etc. to build out, or separate heating/cooling zones and systems, and in many cases no need for individual desks.
From a social perspective its great as it encourages direct interactions and collaborations, however, from a personal space and individual work-style perspective it could actually end up being counter-productive while leading to many acoustical and physical distractions, reduction or loss of productive time, in addition to the mediocre or poor indoor environmental quality assuming if the space is not properly designed to most updated design standards.
Double edge sword?
Q. – A lot of good points! Agree that the field makes a big difference, as well, because the needs can be so different. What I found in our open office environment was everyone just put on headphones and sequestered themselves at their desk – so it really did not encourage any sort of collaboration. But this might be very different at another office who actively works to encourage collaboration. So – think it has to be a combination of both the physical space and the energy that is put into its use.
I’ve found that working from home is very challenging – and rather lonely! So, hope to eventually move into a co-working space where you can get some of the benefits of an office, but still have the freedom to create your own schedule and be your own boss!