The last time I wrote a column here, I was out of a job, blindsided by a budget decision and scurrying to apply for jobs at a clip of three per day.
I viewed my lack of gainful employment, through no fault of my own, as a challenge, yes, but not one I was going to despair about. I tackled it as an opportunity to find something greater, something more meaningful and fulfilling.
I’m sorry it took me so long to provide an update, but I’m happy to report, I indeed found something greater, more meaningful and fulfilling. On Jan. 21, I became the digital content director for WATT Global Media, a business-to-business media company based out of Rockford, Ill., that serves the poultry, egg, animal feed and pet food industries.
WATT is a ROWE workplace. ROWE stands for results only work environment. I am evaluated based on the results I achieve, the goals I meet, rather than face time in front of the computer. Best of all, I get to work wherever and whenever I want, as long as the work gets done. If I want to go to a movie at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday, I can. If I want to fly to Las Vegas for an extended weekend, I can. As long as I meet my goals, I have complete freedom to structure my life the way I choose.
You may think that working from home, it would be easy to slack off. You can’t do that in a ROWE. No results equals no employment. But it’s amazing to be treated like an adult. Do I work more than 40 hours a week? Yes, nearly every week, but not because I feel the stress and pressure that I have to, but because I so enjoy what I do and the people I work with that I want to put in the extra work. But that said, in the 9 months I have worked for WATT, there’s only been two occasions where I have felt overwhelmed. And through talking with colleagues, and working to obtain results, those feelings quickly dissipated.
Was getting let go from my job frightening? Yes, of course, but in retrospect, I’m so glad it happened. WATT Global Media is an amazing company to work for, and I couldn’t be happier. I am challenged to do my best work every day, I feel as if my opinion matters and we’re all one big team working for the same end goals. And my life is so much better for it.
Onward and upward.
WINTER WONDERS 