Executive decisions

In my real-world life I perform a role that requires decision-making which ultimately affects the company I work for from a financial perspective; I accept business or not, hand-pick clients based on business-needs and charge them as I see fit; I don't ask permission and am never held accountable for the decisions I make, provided I make budget - That level of professional-independence suits me and I'm fortunate that the same autonomy extends to time as well as location to some degree.

I've earned that right privilege over many years of performing at a high level and of demonstrating a company-first ethos in respect of the way I conduct business on its behalf, how I represent, and how I strive towards the desired results of the Directors. I have a strong work-ethic, highly-developed skills in communication, negotiation and building lasting relationships, plus industry know-how - This has all helped to gain me a large degree of autonomy in my work day and means no one ever looks over my shoulder which is of immeasurable value.

So yeah, I make decisions, executive decisions, and sometimes they extend to team members whom I support, develop and mentor as part of my executive-level role. That aspect of my job brings enjoyment and I value the feeling of providing a little assistance; I like helping them find their best performance and to consistently improve their skills, or simply maintain equilibrium in a work environment and industry that can be demanding.

It makes sense that I also need to find the same personally right? This is why I make executive decisions that impact myself.

Friday's executive decision

You're actually looking at my executive decision made only last Friday...Eggs, bacon and home made rye toast.

I know, it doesn't seem like an overly difficult decision but it was...Have this, or a ham and cheese croissant? Poached or fried eggs, avocado on the side or not? Mushrooms, bangers, baked beans, wilted baby spinach, hash brown? The decisions were endless really, but all my skills and previous experience combined to make the decision relatively easy; Thanks to all that training, research and development I've done right?

OK, that wasn't really my executive decision at all, despite its importance...The decision to work at the café instead of the office was the executive decision!

I'd arrived at my office early and managed to get almost a couple hours work done prior to 0900 when most of the other staff trooped in like a heard of elephants stampeding on the Okovango Delta. It had been a productive two hours but as soon as all the noises started things went down hill. That's when I took the executive decision to bugger off to the café and work from there; One of the perks of my job. Autonomy.

You may be wondering how a café-environment could possibly be conducive to productivity and you'd be right for certain aspects I guess - I'd not be able to make client calls there due to the noise but for the sort of thing I was doing Friday I find it to be a pretty good work space. I visit this café daily, not a massive place and, whilst not always quiet, I like the vibe and find it easy to work there.

On arrival there was the usual shit-talking with the owner, coffee and food order then I knuckled down to work; The eating part came before the work as I hadn't had breakfast. It was almost 1000 by this time so I called it brunch...But I had lunch later at 1400 so maybe brunch should have been called late breakfast instead. Either way it was tasty...And then...I got to work. OK, I was on hive a little, but then I got to work.

I tend to get focused on my tasks, in this case market research for a client proposal, and am able to block out the rest of the café; Why I can't seem to do it at the office without closing my door is a mystery. It's the vibe I think though; I can look up and see the world passing by for a momentary break then get back to work, then there's the fresh air in the alfresco dining area and the good coffee literally at my beck and call...I don't know, I just tend to get more done which is exactly what happened Friday. Mood and attitude affects output I guess.

So there I sat researching, fielding emails from my team who had been given strict instructions not to call my phone and drinking coffee...There may have been a raspberry and white chocolate muffin in there somewhere but I'm not confirming it. Overall it was productive.

How about y'all...What working environment do you find the best? Do you find you are more productive at a particular time of day or in a particular location? With so many being forced to work from home I guess people have had to make the best of their home-office situation so maybe that's where you feel most productive...Tell me about it, your work space and about your executive decisions made to improve your working environment like I did on Friday.