Contract Workers are happier than Permanent Workers?

Permanent employees often argue that contract work would be too stressful, given the lack of long-term career stability. However, a survey of contract workers suggests that being on a contract doesn’t mean not enjoying your job.




Of the 2011 data, based on a survey of 375 workers and conducted by Monash University researcher Dr Tui McKeown, the page that jumped out at me discussed wellbeing. Here are the key statements that were offered and the main responses, all of which suggest that independent contractors are getting a lot of pleasure out of their careers:

• At my work, I am bursting with energy. 29% said this happened “often” and 38% said “very often”.
• At my job, I feel strong and vigorous. Similar numbers: 28% went for often and 37% for very often.
• I am enthusiastic about my job. Again, the same pattern: 23% said often and 39% very often (and 22% went for “always”).
• My job inspires me. 14% plumped for always, 29% for very often and 26% for often.
• When I get up in the morning, I feel like going to work. The most common choice was very often, picked by 33%.
• I feel happy when I am working intensively. 38% went for very often, and 27% for always.
• I am proud of the work that I do. Similar numbers again: 34% said always and 38% said very often.

WORK LIKE BATMAN

Do you have a pile of work to do from your home office, a "white collar" desk job, or need to complete long hours of data entry (it is tax season now)?

WATCH YOUR POSTURE, ROBIN!
Most of the time...stand up while you work! This burns more calories, gives you more energy in general, and makes you sound better on phone calls!

The line about posture is out of the Dark Knight Returns book from Frank Miller.

TO THE BAT COMPUTER!
Get a sweet (sweeet) keyboard and mouse combination...it is the most used part of your computer, right?
There are multitudes of ergonomic designs from companies like Microsoft.

I prefer the wireless, rechargable, orange-glow-in-the-dark Divino variety from Logitech,
especially when it looks sleek, uses secure Bluetooth technology, and can be branded with a minimalist Bat logo.

Recently, Logitech launched a contest for some nifty prizes ala Dark Knight.
Swag!

CAPE AND COWL
Keep a neutrally-coloured blazer or jacket at your desk; dark beige, dark, blue, or grey seem to work well for most people. Layers of professional clothing are a nice (successful) way to handle temperature changes throughout the day within an air conditioned office, right?

Keep your clothes in shape by avoiding those 1960's "Bat Poles"...

GO! JUMP ON THE TIMEBRIDGE FOR OUR MEETING!

The Timebridge tool (from a subsidiary of Yahoo) eliminates the "coordination" requisite for meeting with two or more people.
http://forum.37signals.com/basecamp/forums/3/topics/9853

By the way, one of Alan Moore's characters, Jonni Future, also uses a ficticious "Timebridge" device...

...and my friend Shazia was also impressed with my Web 2.0 geekiness
during her recent visit. Wow! Shazia! Impressed! Wow!

Online and phone meetings just got easier; try it for yourself!

http://www.timebridge.com/home.php

As expected, the emails sent are coded so that click-throughs automatically identify the Attendee for the meeting.

This is similar to the coding in Messages from Basecamp Project Management, wherein reply emails get attached to Basecamp Message threads.

Web-based software vendors could utilize similar technology as an alternative to the BCC idea when users need to coordinate meetings.

Frank has invited you to a
meeting:Click this link
to reply:http://app.timebridge.com/meeting/reply/sReQBKyUhzujUjfFMessage from
Frank:========================Please click the "Reply" link to enter your
availability for this meeting.

Timebridge is definitely one of those "killer applications" because it is so quick, simple, and effective!

It can even "reach into" meeting attendees' calendars to find open time slots. Nifty, eh?

NOTE: In practice, people are currently a bit reluctant to believe that it is actually quick, simple, and effective. To wit, the application never requires new users to "create an account," which in my view is one of the best features!

Service is free, and users can opt to pay for their online meeting service (ala GoToMeeting from Citrix or NetMeeting from Microsoft). Let's keep an eye on how well they are doing when it comes to attracting cash, ya? Yahoo?

GO! JUMP ON THE TIMEBRIDGE FOR OUR MEETING!

The Timebridge tool (from a subsidiary of Yahoo) eliminates the "coordination" requisite for meeting with two or more people.
http://forum.37signals.com/basecamp/forums/3/topics/9853

By the way, one of Alan Moore's characters, Jonni Future, also uses a ficticious "Timebridge" device...

...and my friend Shazia was also impressed with my Web 2.0 geekiness
during her recent visit. Wow! Shazia! Impressed! Wow!

Online and phone meetings just got easier; try it for yourself!

http://www.timebridge.com/home.php

As expected, the emails sent are coded so that click-throughs automatically identify the Attendee for the meeting.

This is similar to the coding in Messages from Basecamp Project Management, wherein reply emails get attached to Basecamp Message threads.

Web-based software vendors could utilize similar technology as an alternative to the BCC idea when users need to coordinate meetings.

Frank has invited you to a
meeting:Click this link
to reply:http://app.timebridge.com/meeting/reply/sReQBKyUhzujUjfFMessage from
Frank:========================Please click the "Reply" link to enter your
availability for this meeting.

Timebridge is definitely one of those "killer applications" because it is so quick, simple, and effective!

It can even "reach into" meeting attendees' calendars to find open time slots. Nifty, eh?

NOTE: In practice, people are currently a bit reluctant to believe that it is actually quick, simple, and effective. To wit, the application never requires new users to "create an account," which in my view is one of the best features!

Service is free, and users can opt to pay for their online meeting service (ala GoToMeeting from Citrix or NetMeeting from Microsoft). Let's keep an eye on how well they are doing when it comes to attracting cash, ya? Yahoo?

LOOK OUTSIDE! YES, RIGHT NOW!

For the new year, do something simple, relaxing, and healthy for your eyes...
Preserve your vision by looking into the distance, which relaxes the muscles - if you are sensitive enough, you can actually feel tension vanish inside your head when you do this.

Specifically, take two minute breaks every 45 minutes.
Look outside for enormous, distant, scenery.

Mountains, clouds, and the horizon work brilliantly!

Though your eyes are one of the fastest-healing parts of your body, the slow assault of close distance work can make them more and more myopic.

*sigh*
Yes, I know from experience.

NOTE: the challenge for most people is to actually take the next step and start using a timer device of some kind!

Right now, go ahead and do a search for "free online timer," pick something, and implement it on your workstation.
http://www.google.com/ig/directory?q=timer&type=gadgets
Your eyes will thank you, right?

LOOK OUTSIDE! YES, RIGHT NOW!

For the new year, do something simple, relaxing, and healthy for your eyes...
Preserve your vision by looking into the distance, which relaxes the muscles - if you are sensitive enough, you can actually feel tension vanish inside your head when you do this.

Specifically, take two minute breaks every 45 minutes.
Look outside for enormous, distant, scenery.

Mountains, clouds, and the horizon work brilliantly!

Though your eyes are one of the fastest-healing parts of your body, the slow assault of close distance work can make them more and more myopic.

*sigh*
Yes, I know from experience.

NOTE: the challenge for most people is to actually take the next step and start using a timer device of some kind!

Right now, go ahead and do a search for "free online timer," pick something, and implement it on your workstation.
http://www.google.com/ig/directory?q=timer&type=gadgets
Your eyes will thank you, right?