Where I Work Best

In the first half of my career (i.e., up until now), I didn't put a lot of thought into my best physical work environment. Working in tech, I never felt much control over my space. I always had a small cubicle or the dreaded open office space and just made do with what I had. 

However, at this career pivot point, I took some time to complete the exercises in What Color is Your Parachute and realized it was healthy for me to identify where I work best. I may not totally control my physical work environment, but if I identify the environments in which I work best then I can nudge my workplace to feel more comfortable. 

In What Color is Your Parachute, the exercise is to list the attributes that you don't like in a work environment, prioritize those from most hated to least, and then write down the opposite of those traits as what you are seeking. It's simple, yet so powerful to recognize your favorite environment. 

Here are things I enjoy:

• Full control over my schedule
• A mix of independent, small-group, and group work
• Chances to move my body
• Healthy, good food
• Chances to be outside with a view
• Bonus points for a soft, beautiful space with a variety of work areas

It was illuminating to see the things on this list that I didn't get in my average days in tech, and also the things that I sought in my next chapter. 

For example, as a tech executive, I didn't get a lot of time working in small groups - I was either in/leading meetings or 1:1 meetings. I didn't mind these activities, but they left little time for partner or small group work. As a result, in my final months in tech, I started reaching out to peers and specifically scheduling small group working sessions, which I find invigorating and connecting. Now that I am counseling two days per week, I get plenty of 1:1 working time, but I miss larger group times and decided to seek out more group experiences. 

In another example, schedule control was a major catalyst for my career change. In tech, I had a bunch of schedule flexibility, but I lacked the ability to create the weekly rhythms I yearned for. 

What have you learned about where you work best? How have you used that understanding to sculpt your work over time?