“The storm before the flow” — working alone together #1.
This is part of a series of observations, stories and comics about certain characteristic interstices of time and space within a modern workplace. The author is a participant-observer to the behaviours and rhythms of what happens between and at these interstices of time.
#1 The storm before the flow
Phase 1:
9:00 AM: It is a Tuesday. Messages on the WhatsApp group create vibrations (or subtle alarms) of urgency to get ready for work on time. “ I will reach by 10:10” , “ I shall be there by 10:00 today” I’ve got a doctor’s appointment, will reach by 11:15". But I delay because my time has stopped for some really engaging Instagram stories about politics and puppies. 9:30 AM: I realise that time travel is possible and I rush to the bathroom with a fine selection of clothes (I should look different than what I was wearing on Monday, or they’ll think I don’t take bath). 9:51 AM: Every minute is crucial. I book an Uber Auto and the ETA is 3 mins. I get inside the car and the ETA is 9 mins. I reach the office gate, fix my hair and pay the driver before entering the building.
Phase 2:
10: 11 AM: I enter the office building and it is time to “settle down”. The first step to do this is to find a centre of gravity within the workplace. This is the place where you keep all your things sending a message that your coworker has to hesitate a bit before they sit on your chair when you are not there. At this point, everybody is just getting inside as well and initiating their “settle down” process. We talk about the craziest stories from the day before or today morning. This sparks a memory muscle for someone else and then we get to hear another exciting story. Weather X goes to make some coffee or Y makes some tea — its always a social thing. It is almost impossible to make a hot beverage just for yourself at the office. The x time that is being spent, shall fuel several other coworkers as well. After all, our productivity in the office is collective!
10:30 AM: A few people are already in a light engagement with work state, passively listening to the stories and energetic jokes that are initiating the release of endorphins or the happiness hormone (as important as coffee or tea!). The active listeners to the storyteller start passively noticing the people in the light flow state and eventually open the screen where they have to produce some work, initiating their passive flow state as well. Slowly, everyone has achieved this state and that initiates a deep engagement in work.
Phase 3:
12:47 AM: Everyone is deadly serious in their flow states. Suddenly there is a giggle. It's not just any giggle. It is not a childish one triggered by a falling penguin video. It's an intellectual one. The one in which you find humour in the make-up and way of things within what you are doing. So, this person needs to share whats funny and we are back with the active conversation triggering the passive listening and break of the flow state.
