Why is it that the shortest work weeks tend to be the ones that drag on and feel the longest? Monday and Tuesday didn’t feel so bad, but today — OH EM GEE it feels like it’s been two days long! AND, it’s been busy! What gives??
Okay, so I did work on Wednesday as well, but it’s my remote day, so it doesn’t always feel like a work day. 🤫 Maybe it was being home for two days straight (Thursday was a holiday for Juneteenth here in the U.S.) that has thrown my internal clock off. No matter — today is good for a couple of reasons:
- It’s Friday (duh!)
- I’m picking up my Nintendo Switch 2 today 😁
Those almost balance out the fact that the AC has gone out at our house, having to spend yesterday and today with no air conditioning. Thankfully, someone is coming out to look at things on Saturday, so fingers crossed it’s something simple and can be fixed quickly! 🤞🏼
This Got Me Thinking
For those who know me, I have always been someone who leans toward quiet support — I’m someone who listens more than they speak, notices more than they announce. However, lately I’ve been learning that my empathy doesn’t have to stay in the background. It can lead.
Earlier this week, I attended a virtual panel discussion about shadow IT (users who bring in their own devices to do company work — whether because it’s cheaper, or less restrictive, or because they may not know any better). One of the speakers mentioned that their security team holds open office hours where people can stop by with questions or concerns. That sparked an idea inside of me. That simple idea carried so much weight: presence, trust, even availability. This could be an opportunity to reconnect with those who I had built relationships with over the years, but may have died out, with my no longer being out in the field. It could also be a reintroduction of sorts, to showcase my new role and responsibilities.
I pitched the idea to my boss, and he thought it was a great idea. This morning, I followed through — I published a short SharePoint article on our customer wiki to let people know they could come to me. I set up Microsoft Bookings for just that purpose — to be a steady point of contact, a place to ask questions, raise concerns, or just talk things through.
For some, it might not seem like much. But for me, it’s a step towards being seen. Not for recognition, but as a soft beacon. Because in a world full of noise, offering some calm clarity — offering empathy — is a kind of security all its own.
Who knows if it will draw any interest. Personally, it’s one big step to my believing in myself and my abilities. It won’t dilute my empathy.
It’ll let it shine. ✨
Finally, here is a look back at what I wore to work this week. I hope you enjoy it, as always. Have a wonderful and safe weekend. I’ll be playing my new Switch, and — with luck — I’ll be playing it in a nice and air conditioned house. 🤣
-Terry
June 16
June 17
June 20
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