A pretty good day at work

Yesterday was a pretty good day at work.  Why?

I went to bed feeling satisfied with yesterday.  Since job satisfaction is one of the Holy Grails (can there be more than one?) of business, it’s worth looking at what happened and thinking about why it felt so good.

Here’s my quick diary of the day:

Got up. Coached my colleague over coffee – got him fired up for the day. Walked to work discussing our values. Found 4 £ coins crossing the road. Decided they represented our 4 shared values: awareness, lightness, honesty and courage.  Picked up two coins each.  Stopped to watch guys pruning huge trees with chainsaws.  Had healthy breakfast at work (Greek yoghurt, fruit, nuts, oats, honey).

Worked in the office til 2.  Walked to mate’s flat, put on smart jacket.  Headed off to Central London to meet hedge fund client.  “One of our guys made £4m yesterday”. Ok.  Had great session with client.

Came out, walked around Tottenham Court Rd.  Went to music shops and Chinese herbalist.  Walked from Covent Garden back to Borough on a lovely, grey Londony day talking about stuff all the way – and doing the ‘Tavi Walk’ – slow.

Back to office.  Round of for 1/2 hour, then home for Sushi (ordered online).  Plug in telly wires for Champions League footie (Man U. v. Inter Milan) – enjoyed horizontally with fat tummy.  Then bed.

So what are the components of a pretty good day at work?  Being able to work with friends.  The feeling of being valued by the people I work with (our company and clients).  A sense of being in charge of our own destiny.  Working at something that means something more than just working for the sake of it (focused on our shared values).

As much physical exercise as possible; being out and about meeting people (not staying in an office all day).  Less computer, more fresh air.

Good food, plenty of sleep.  A sense of contentment at the end of the day.