Things you learn working in an office

Soooo I started writing this ages ago when I started my new job. In case you haven´ noticed, I like making lists:

• how to figure out the coffee machine (just don´t be the first person getting coffee in the morning if you´re too lazy)
• that meetings take a lot longer than you think they will and are almost never as productive as you expect them to be
• if you need something from someone, ASK THEM
• you will spend way too much money on lunch breaks
• you will get up earlier, so you can use the morning more efficently. Haha, just kidding
• you will apprechiate weekends so much more. Especially if you can sleep in
• just before lunchtime is probably the most productive period (at least for me)
• how to organize yourself and get on top of your shit
• working in an agency means working overtime and working weekends if you have to. It also means free beer and soccer table tournaments
• after-work drinks is the best thing ever invented...but you will get drunk off like, a glass of Sauvingon
• generally your alcohol intake will increase big time (it´s like starting uni again)
• who to ask when you fucked up something
• all the gossiping happens on Google Hangouts/Skype
• how to speak up and learn to make good points for your argument
• how to plan your social life around work, which can be tricky at the best of times
• when working with your friends/boyfriend: get coffee together and have a little break every now and then. It honestly helps being more productive afterwards
• how fancy to dress (depends on the job I guess)
• that everyone else has crappy days too so you´e not alone
• to think on a bigger scale when working on projects with other people
• teamwork (I mean you´re supposed to learn teamwork at school/uni but who are we kidding)
• what places to go on your breaks (Italian, Coffeeshop and Burger place are the three essentials if you ask me)
• where to go for a glass of wine after work (especially if your office happens to be located between all the good bars, I love it!)
• that it´s okay to look at your phone sometimes...so. many. times.
• waiting, and waiting and more fucking waiting
• dealing with other humans in general
• nothing will ever go as smoothly as people tell you, trust me!
• how to pretend you know what you´re talking about
• when someone tells you „this will just be a quick little thing“ RUN – it never is!
• how not to fall asleep in long meetings
• if you´re a morning person (I am the closest to a serial killer without actually murdering someone as you can be in the morning)
• to forgive stressed coworkers, because you´ve BEEN there
• names (I still fuck up a lot)
• not to drink too much at team events, no matter HOW casual
• whether or not you are a neat person (my desk is usually super organized, unless I have deadlines...then it´s a shitshow)

 
No matter how sarcastic I sound, I truly enjoy my work and I am lucky to have awesome coworkers and a pretty cool workplace in general.