Category: Work

I have been lucky to work in several companies over the years, partly because I’ve always self selected for places where we have been well treated.  But just as importantly, we treated ourselves well.  In this profession you can’t always have a perfectly level schedule, but at least you can try, and it certainly helps if everyone around you is also trying.

The flip side is that if I saw dynamic changing, I had no hesitation walking.  It’s why I hate the term “family” when referring to business.  Ultimately it is a transaction.  I’m willing to take less pay to be part of a good group of people, but if the group shifts, then the terms of the agreement has shifted and needs to be reevaluated. 

So far so good here, but with state politics, there are a multitude of layers above me, let’s see how long it lasts. And hopefully, I’ll get better at influencing the dynamics long before feeling compelled to press the eject button.

The one thing I’ve gotten out of the Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits is the important / unimportant vs urgent / nonurgent matrix.

Quadrant 1 (important and urgent) and Quadrant 4 (unimportant and non-urgent) are easy. Just do or don’t do them.

Quadrant 3 (unimportant but urgent) is seductive in that you get those little cheap hits of accomplishment, but best to be avoided.

The most interesting insight comes from Quadrant 2 (important but nonurgent). This is where you prepare for the future. You can put it off for a day or two with no consequences, but if you waite a couple years, you’ll be two years behind.

I used to have a bunch of “Q2” goals, but I’ve realized I just don’t have time for it. So it’s been pared down to this blog (for now), continuous improvement at work, and exercise.

Where does the family fit in? Well it doesn’t feel urgent, but when you see the kids growing up so quickly, you realize that’s a Q1 item.

When interviewing an employer, the inherent power dynamics as an employee make it easy to forget that you are offering goods that the employer is desperate to obtain, otherwise they would be making do some other way (even as a first time intern you are giving them an opportunity to pay it forward to the next generation).

As such, the main goals of the interview are to

1. Find out their needs,
2. Sell your ability to meet those needs,
3. Get a sense of their organization and people to determine whether you want work with them for the next few years.

Of those three, the last one is the most important to you. Think of this way, you’re buying their project experience and money in exchange for your time.  No doubt, you’re looking to getting some good stuff, but you’re trading your life in return.

So they better be worth it.  This is your opportunity to interview them.

The other day, I stepped into a meeting at the architect’s office introducing the project to the third party code plan reviewer, who used to be a plans examiner at a local city. The architect’s code consultant had just given notice to join a different jurisdiction for a plans examiner position.

I had worked with both of them when reviewing local amendments for the most recent code cycle, and in the past half year we have all changed positions.

This industry is much more close knit than it may appear, even when the individuals are constantly in flux.

Due to confusion in the office, I went ahead and wrote a document of the 9 steps to execute a purchase order in the state.

It involved 6 state employees, (the Project Manager, the Design Chief, Budget Analyst, Contract Specialist, Accounts Payable, and the Deputy Administrator) as well as 5 separate physical transfers of hardcopy documents (though this may change with a new digital initiative).

I’d bet each control point was put in place due to mistakes or malfeasance in the past. And I’m certain they help catch inadvertent mistakes.

I get it, we’re spending taxpayer money. But so is the time and effort of each of the individuals involved in this exercise. This is a case of security versus convenience. Ultimately, I suspect the future is digital, it might save much time, but at least we won’t be shuffling sheets of paper up and down the state when using the “send” button a few times could save us at least a week.

At best, you will only score five or six goals in a soccer match, while you can get fifty plus in basketball.

Sometimes you need to switch games. But what are you leaving behind?

I’ve gone through a two transformations (going commercial and then client side), all to make more money along with the new experiences I could picked up.

I don’t regret these changes, but I still think fondly of my days doing small single family residential remodels and additions. It was certainly the most fun I’ve had architecting.

I occasionally wonder what would have been, if I had tried to change the game, instead of switching out. Then again, since I did switch out, I doubt I truly had the passion and grit to taken on such a monumental task.

And heck, life is pretty good right now too. I shouldn’t forget to look on today with rose colored glasses as well.

The new governor is being inaugurated today.

From what I’ve been told, between being in Vegas and about eight steps down on the org chart, my own job pretty well insulated from state politics, which is totally fine by me.

The marriages of the previous two governors ended during their administrations, so while Nevada ain’t a big state, this gig is no joke.

So while I won’t be personally near the trials and tribulations of the new executive, between being a citizen in the state and the fact that my division is part of the executive branch, he’ll have an outsize influence on my life for the next four, maybe eight years.

Onward forth! Best wishes for the new administration! All the best!

Because we treat people with the money and opportunity with extra deference, we forget it is ultimately an exchange for one’s time and expertise.

I’m handing out projects, but the consultant (or employee) still has the right to say “nah”.

Money is pretty awesome, but you’re selling your life.

Is it a good trade? If not, why aren’t you walking?

Your 40 hours every week pays your employer and your bills, but to advance in your career you gotta put in the time outside the clock.

Occasionally, you’ll have to do a burst of overtime to address an emergency, but if it becomes a regular habit, you need to really assess the value of this new lifestyle. Sometimes working overtime at the office is in alignment with your overall career goals, but I think that is rarer than it seems.

Overtime is sign of mismanagement, and you shouldn’t be constantly sacrificing the long game just for a few short gains. Don’t give up long term career development for a little extra status at your current gig.