I returned to my parents’ place for the first time this year. For me, it was not only a family visit but also a belated New Year’s greeting, as my family had been recovering from COVID over the holiday season. In this homey week of Week 1,514, here’s what happened.

1. What I read.

While I can certainly agree with the article’s argument on the value of working in-person at the office, I often feel pressured and, at times, uncomfortable when it comes to socializing, especially when I’m trying to get into deep focus mode to tackle my tasks.

Being physically present at the office does offer unexpected moments of inspiration and learning, which can open doors to new opportunities and personal growth. It’s similar to using a paper dictionary to look up unfamiliar words, rather than relying on a quick Google search. With a paper dictionary, you tend to notice nearby words, expanding your learning beyond just the word you set out to find, and gaining insights into related meanings you might otherwise miss.

The quote that stuck with me:

For those unfamiliar with the article, I will quote a paragraph to provide context and highlight my favorite part in bold.

The equine course also convinced me that we will make real strides as a team only if we are physically together. I know many of you are upset by the requirement to be back in the office five days a week, but we simply cannot build a thriving culture if many of us are working remotely. There is a saying that you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink. But I have a follow-up question. How can a horse drink if it is not near water in the first place?

2. Who I saw.

I took a short walk with a colleague visiting the office from Singapore. He and I are batchmates, having met when we joined the company almost two years ago. Unfortunately, he will be leaving the company for a new position next month, and we’ll probably not see each other again anytime soon, at least in a work setting.

The little details I observed:

He didn’t seem entirely enthusiastic about his next move. He shared some challenges he had faced within his current team, and he appeared uncertain about the transition.

This encounter reminded me of an important lesson: it’s precisely when you’re happy in your current role that considering a job change can be valuable. Exploring new opportunities proactively can lead to career growth, fresh challenges, or better alignment with your evolving goals. On the other hand, when you’re feeling overwhelmed, the pressure to find available opportunities can lead to hasty decisions and poor judgment. Even if you’re satisfied in your position, it’s worth thinking about the future and what might come next.

3. What I created.

I’ve started brainstorming some of my writing on physical paper, instead of relying solely on my laptop like I used to. My goal is to create a clear boundary between my online time and offline time to foster deeper focus.

The story behind it:

When I write online, I find myself easily distracted. I’m more likely to scroll through Instagram, watch random YouTube videos, or click on pop-up ads for things I don’t even want to buy. None of these distractions help me write. So, I’ve decided to limit my use of digital tools to only when I have an outline ready. This approach allows me to do a sort of “digital detox” without impacting my writing process.

Next Week’s Peek — What I’m looking forward to and why

I borrowed three intriguing titles from my mom’s bookshelf and am excited to dive into them next week. It’s become a bit of a tradition for me to browse her book collection whenever I visit her place.

Hope you had a great week.
Catch you next week!