My Office View

I bought this table from a consignment/vintage store in New Orleans 14 years ago. It once was a fixture in my little shotgun home kitchen but since moving to Texas, almost a decade ago, it has had different spots in our homes through the years. This table’s latest job has been "office desk" in my garage!

Since the world changed in March of 2020 my “office view” has been working at this table in my garage.

Our household, like everyone else on the planet changed overnight! My wife, a major airline employee, was asked to take leave in late March of 2020 — so she took on larger role, not only being a Mommy to our 2 sons (2 and 6) but now full time teacher to boot!

Our home became many things and our "actual home office" became The School. Naturally, Daddy getting the boot to the garage was the easiest move. Lainey would say "I am on constant work calls and have a loud voice which disturbs the kids from their new (at home) routines"

Little did we know, what we thought would be a temporary arrangement would still be permanent to this day.

On my Zoom and Teams calls “My Office Background” equipped with a gym, bikes, extension cords, ladders, rock collection, basketballs, and nerf guns always gets a chuckle from everyone that sees me, and as it should!

In all honestly, it has created a healthy separation of HOME and WORK for me personally. When I am walking through that garage door at 7am to when I close the garage door in the evening --- that odd bit of normalcy has helped, even in a not so normal situation ---

All of us this past year have blended Work and Home more than we ever have in the past. The “Work Life” balance seems in flux and at times REALLY hard to separate.

I, like you, have gone through a range of emotions during the past year and lots of neighborhood walks. The world seemed to be tearing itself apart for the better part of last year, as I sat working in my garage. I was at times worried financially, as we lost an income in our household. Sadden for my Sons, who are to little to understand what’s going on -- as to why they couldn’t go back to school, see all their friends, or have birthday parties with all sorts of friends etc...

Sitting in the Garage with the Doors open watching the day move, was also at times calming. For my kids we made the most out of it with forts, tents, and cots, right next to my desk! Keeping my kids sane during this time period -- in a way, helped me.

I also felt blessed, our life up until March was always Go, Go, Go! I was on an airplane every week in front of many of our customers, which is always exciting, and something I generally love doing!

The hard part is when I would get home from work, my wife would be looking to leave to go to work as she traveled for her job! This balance has always been harder with 2 little ones.

If there is one thing I can say that I am very fortunate about looking at life through an optimistic lens, is that we have had more family time with each other. That my wife has had the time, to be there as the teacher for our kids during this crazy period so they don’t get behind. In a team effort her taking on that charge, gave me the ability to focus on my job being the primary bread winner in the family. Keeping my upbeat/passionate attitude, as I speak through data flow processes, and digital best practices with our D&B clients.

Professionally, like all of you, I felt the stinging economic impact of COVID-19 with our customers that were asking us to do more with less, downsizing, pivoting, and trying to fight for flat during this pandemic. This led to a couple deals falling through or getting pushed, but none the less, my team showed constant resilience as we still grew our portfolio of business this past fiscal year.

All outside normal comfort zones ——

without traveling,

through virtual meetings,

computer issues,

“Can you hear me now”,

“Can you see my screen”,

And the occasional interruption from the 2 year old!

This was the drive from “My Office View” at the table in my Garage...

Last year is hopefully one of the hardest we all will face professionally in our lifetime! I thank God for my family and hope 2021 is better for everyone.

Remember 'Joy Comes in the Morning' so take time to reflect the GOOD last year, even in the bad!

Here is to more funny faces from my "co-workers" in 2021!

Best of luck this year as we all reset in the New Year!

Ryan Ray