Weeknote #678: Outside the box
August has turned into September and Nordkapp is at full speed for the Autumn ahead. For me, this Autumn feels like a fresh start as I have just returned from a six-month paternity leave. It’s also a good time to reflect my daddy-time with some key findings.
Earlier this year, at the beginning of February, to be exact, I started a six-month paternity leave and became a full-time home dad. For me, it was a second time coming so I kind of knew what to expect. Obviously, Covid-19 had a big impact as living became more limited. However, for me, it also gave a chance to be a full-time dad for two kids as daycare and schools closed for almost two months. Quite an extraordinary experience!
Reflections
One of the remarks of being on a longer leave is that after some time, one starts to look at life from a different perspective; at work we would say ‘thinking outside the box’. It gives an opportunity to both analyse life in general but also learn in many ways. After returning to work, it’s a perfect time to reflect on some key takeaways that apply also to work-life.
1. Basics and routines
In a busy work-life, it is often the case that the basic stuff is the hardest: sleeping enough and eating regularly. For kids, it’s very natural and simple. Still, it seems to be the stuff where I personally often struggle the most during workweeks. 🙃
2. Well begun is half done
I have a tendency sometimes to jump into things too enthusiastically. However, preparation is key for success. Whether it’s packing enough clothes and food for a walk in the park or do a thorough benchmark before an important customer meeting; preparation is key. I have learned to leave enough time for that 😅
3. Multitasking and focus
Maintaining consistency is tough when constantly multitasking with too many things at the same time. I have come to realise that good habits are created through consistency. I will need to bring some of this consistency to my daily work; whether it’s periodically updating a system with new information or just being clear on meeting agendas; many good habits to strengthen!
Good vibes for Autumn
Not everything is like I expected and many things have changed in six months; mostly the fact that we meet people still mostly virtually. At the same time, many things have remained the same; customers want to work with us and we are having super-interesting projects to start the autumn with. And of course, amazing Nordkapp colleagues who share the same passion for eagerly confronting the new normal. Feels good to be back!
What else happened this week
Joska is starting up new things after returning to work after the summer and having a nice project brought to completion
Wrapping up 2 projects, Shakti’s happy to look forward stepping into new challenges this autumn.
Satu has been working with new business development and our internal things, such as a new website, which will be launched during the next weeks.
Annukka is back from maternity leave. Her first project is to choose the right direction to the future and clarify the brand strategy with a new B2B client.
Valeria says, “Time for pumpkin spice latte”
Last week of a lovely project so Eero is documenting and tweaking the final design deliverables!
Mika L is supporting our client to get a new direction for their digital channel strategy and waiting for the autumn colors.
Autumn has brought a lot of new fun work on Sari’s table.
Topias is getting ready for the opportunities and challenges of the new organizational framework at the customer.
Kenneth had an aha moment that could shake things up in the current project.
Sami loves when the days of inspiration keep on flying by at high speed. Winter is coming.
Five things we read this week
- Walmart+ is rolling out to compete with Amazon Prime, something Walmart calls “the ultimate life hack” , by Vox
- Most basement spaces are usually reduced to storage or cellars, it’s inspiring to see how far what some people have transformed theirs, by The Guardian
- Narcissism as a necessary trait—through the lens of historical leaders , by HBR
- Future trend report 2020, by Futures today institute
- From Consumers to Users: Prototyping New Models of Production, by Andrew Edman
This week’s weeknote was curated by Ari.
Ari is a VP, Business Development at Nordkapp, who is helping customers find and grow their business through design.
