When I got back from the printer, I went straight downstairs to purchase a cold and refreshing Diet Coke, still clutching my just-punctured copies, neatly concealed within a manila folder.
Coming back to the elevator, I passed one of the executive secretaries in the corridor who works with the big people. Super nice woman, but hasn't been here a real long time. It took her a while after she arrived to be able to remember my name and such, which is just fine--she probably does a better job of it than I do.
Anyway, we nodded and spoke, and just as I got even with her, she stopped and said, "You know, when I first got here, I didn't realize you worked in our department. I thought you worked up in Legal--you're always dressed up nice with a shirt and tie, and you seem like you always have all kinds of papers and things with you, and you always seem to be doing something serious."
BINGO!
Proof once again of my Primary Rule of Work--"If you look busy, you ARE busy."
In order to pretend that you are a busy professional, you must dress like a professional, carry things around with you, and walk with purpose.
Sloppy people obviously need something to do. People who don't have anything to carry can't REALLY be busy. If you wander and dawdle, it means you're goofing off.
Remember, avoiding work requires real effort to pull off successfully.
Posted by Terry Oglesby at April 13, 2005 02:19 PMCarrying around a clipboard and jotting down an occasional note is also effective.
It's not how good you work, it's how good you look - and ju look MAHVELOUS!
Posted by: MarcV at April 13, 2005 03:10 PMMarcV's clipboard is an age old Army trick to avoid Sergeants and their wrath. No one ever stops a guy with a clipboard who looks busy even those who have used the trick themselves.
Posted by: Larry Anderson at April 13, 2005 03:24 PMClipboards are also useful for getting you into places you aren't supposed to be in. That and a hardhat, and you can go anywhere. (That's also one of my Rules of Architecture.)
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at April 13, 2005 04:03 PMWhen I was a mechanic on choppers in the AF, I learned quick that a Tech Order in one hand and a rag in the other made me look like I was busy and working compared to those empty handed guys leaning on the lockers.
Posted by: Nate at April 13, 2005 04:04 PMAgain, work-avoidance is a difficult, but worthwhile job.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at April 13, 2005 04:19 PMIt always pays to look professional. Even if you are a professional goof-off.
Posted by: Sarah G. at April 13, 2005 06:55 PM