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Subject:Re: What to do in slack times? From:Larry Hoffenberg <LarryHoff -at- WORLDNET -dot- ATT -dot- NET> Date:Sat, 10 Apr 1999 09:18:29 -0600
Slack Time? What a nice problem to have!
It's a rare luxury! Enjoy it!
Larry
Larry Hoffenberg
Technical Writing Consultant
TechWriter -at- att -dot- net
If you object to government taking 50% of YOUR
hard-earned income (and they DO just take it),
join the LIBERTARIAN PARTY! www.lp.org
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Technical Writers List; for all Technical Communication issues
> [mailto:TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU]On Behalf Of Meek, DavidX L
> Sent: Friday, April 09, 1999 11:01 AM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Re: What to do in slack times?
>
>
> One thing to remember: if you look busy, people tend to think
> you are busy;
> if you don't look busy, people tend to think you're lazy or unnecessary,
> regardless of *why* you're not busy (i.e., you're extremely good at your
> job).
>
> I have worked at companies where the pace is s l o w (usually
> government
> agencies). In the slack times, I keep busy by studying
> technical materials,
> either documents related to the technology I'm documenting, or technical
> writing journals such as STC's Intercom. People will a) see that you're
> busy, and b) appreciate that you're engaged in improving your
> value to the
> company.
>
> -Dave
> (Any statements made above are mine, and mine alone.)
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Anonymous User
> Subject: FWD: What to do in slack times?
>
> Name withheld upon request. Please reply on list.
>
> *************************************************
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I am not in the middle of a crisis, but I do need advice about
> how to handle an on the job situation.
>
> I am working for a terrific company, I am paid well, and I am
> respected for the work I do. See, I told you there was no crisis.
>
> My problem is this ... When work is slow, I don't know what to
> do with myself. I like working under pressure and I feel almost
> dishonest, like I am not working hard enough, when the pressure
> is off. The other problem is boredom. After the tenth week spent
> editing and massaging the same documentation, I start craving
> something new.
>
> Don't get me wrong -- I am not being unproductive. Bugs are
> being fixed in the product and in the documentation. New sections
> are being added now that I have the time to write them. Technical
> details are being fleshed out with the help of the QA and
> technical support departments. The staff are simply maintaining
> the existing (software) product and preparing for the next push.
>
> So, how do you deal with steady, predictable, post-release work?
> What tricks do you employ to add variety to your workday? How
> do you deal with (your own) impatience and desire for front-line
> action?
>
> -Anon
>
>
> ================================================================
> ===========
>
>
