Cubicle Tips?

[AndyB]

Others have mentioned it... but music really is the best way. I've been working in a cubicle for the last year now and music makes things go by much quicker. I also tend to listen to sports radio in the morning as well which keeps my mind entertained.

[DonRotolo]

I'd advise against using the "company's" equipment to do anything but work. Even listening to music online. Well, at least until you get clarification from your supervisor.

In any case, doing anything but work while 'on the clock' is a great way to get fired. Like browsing CD.

Bringing an iPod to work should be OK - ask a colleague, since in your environment data storage devices may be forbidden - and you can listen to music that-a-way.

The alternative has worked for me for over 1/4 century: Enjoy what you do, to the point that you like doing it. I don't need anything to distract me, I'm almost never bored.

[Zholl]

went ahead and started bringing my mp3 player. checked and there's nothing against that, at least. I don't use the net accept for accessing what I need online, and then checking an occasional news article on my homepage or checking my bank account, usually to make sure my pay is correct or that I have money to eat. the music definitely helps. and yeah, I wouldn't dare check CD at work. if I do anything like that, there's a public library not too far away.

Don, I've been trying to find a way to enjoy doing this. but it's really hard to enjoy sending out pre-written emails and scanning documents into the system all day, which is 95% of what I do. it's just too repetitive for my mindset. the only time it gets interesting is if I'm dealing with an unusual report that at least sort of breaks the monotony. it still beats the alternative though.

[Andy Baker]

When I was at Delphi, I spent 15 years in the same cubicle. Gladly, the other guys in the cube were fun (most of the time) and didn't mind some of these antics:

1. headphones are a must (you already found this out)
2. small nerf hoop basketball
3. Using a plastic periscope to view over the cubicle wall was fun
4. Nerf Dart Gun wars
5. We re-named the aisles and cubicles one day: Disk Drive, Baker Alley, Sparky Street... stuff like that. Those little signs came down after some no-fun middle manager got mad.

Of course, your boss may not like any of these things. However, if you stay productive, and only use these things rarely, I suspect that no trouble will come. If these things become a distraction to you and others, then you will see how company policies are created.

Good luck,
Andy

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by Zholl

it's really hard to enjoy sending out pre-written emails and scanning documents into the system all day, which is 95% of what I do.

I hear you. All I can suggest, beyond what's been said already, is to try to look for ways to make it better/easier/automated - that is, go outside what's expected of you and make things more productive/efficient.

Do that often enough and you'll find yourself with a better job. You see, bosses like people who make them look good.

Oh, yes - the Nerf Darts are essential. Every week and a half or so, the entire office just explodes in a 45 second frenzy of nerf darts popping all over the place, like the simulated nuclear war in War Games. It really is a sight to see. They even make USB-powered remote-controlled Nerf dart shooters...

[EricH]

I don't work in a cubicle, but my job does get pretty repetitive, something on the lines of "Gas right, brake left, no bumping, stop at the red light, GO!" all shift, with reminder hollers at odd intervals and the occasional radio call. No headphones or books or games or things like that are allowed when you're on shift (and no, I'm not on shift right now). Or else you're shooting the breeze with co-workers for a while until a manager asks if anybody wants to go home, or until customers show up...

What's been suggested to help break the routine is a (warped) sense of humor. Find the humor somewhere, whether it's Monty Python or some wisecrack somebody makes, and that may help.

[rsisk]

Reading Eric's description of his job, my first thought was he is a test driver for the Autotopia and Disneyland

Maybe an interesting idea for a game on CD... someone describes their job like Eric just did, and the rest of us guess what he does.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by rsisk

Reading Eric's description of his job, my first thought was he is a test driver for the Autotopia and Disneyland

Maybe an interesting idea for a game on CD... someone describes their job like Eric just did, and the rest of us guess what he does.

Not quite. Come up to the I-405 and Carson and find out...

You're close, though. I do drive a little for work... *snicker*

[Molten]

Originally Posted by EricH

Not quite. Come up to the I-405 and Carson and find out...

You're close, though. I do drive a little for work... *snicker*

If they make this game, we need to agree no thread searching. And no worries EricH, I won't tell.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Zholl

it's really hard to enjoy sending out pre-written emails and scanning documents into the system all day, which is 95% of what I do.

Someone needs to say it:

"That's why it's called 'work' and not 'vacation'".

Also, kicking the habit of thinking that being connected to the Internet, or listening to music, or.... 24x7 is necessary, is a useful thing to do. Having all of those things at your fingertips (or at mine) certainly is nice, but it is hardly necessary.

Some day you will bore your children by telling them the extremely powerful lessons you learned while on this job. Becoming aware of those lessons now, rather than waiting for hindsight to kick in 10 years from now is worthwhile. Think it over.

Good luck,
Blake