Project 'Roasted Bean'

'1500?'

The potentially conspiratorial message via IM is actually more of a project meeting request. A quick check with the current work and the open topics on the to-do list, a recount of the small change, a glance at the clock at the lower right corner of the screen - an almost imperceptible smile and a deep breath.

'1500.'

We call it 'Projekt Braune Bohne', which would turn into utter nonsense if I would try to translate it literally. That is why I took the liberty to pick the more loose translation for the project name, so from now on I will refer to it as project 'Roasted Bean'.

Let me present to you project 'Roasted Bean' in more detail. First of all: it isn't exactly a project. Yes, I have to admit that we made it up - for the fun of it and to make it at least sound somewhat important. Truth be told, project 'Roasted Bean' has become more of an (almost) confirmed habit or maybe a ritual than a project. But it is a funny, geeky name and that is why we stick with it.

Another detail: there is no agenda. This may sound quite confusing, which is absolutely understandable. At least it is because I haven‘t told you about the very nature of our project meetings. While there are lists and agendas all day long there is no room for anything like that when attending those meetings I am talking about.

In simple terms: project 'Roasted Bean' is a break. But it isn‘t just another break. It is more about making sure that the participants make it safe and sound through the last hours of the working day. And there are some interesting reasons why this break is well-deserved. Sadly there is no way to leave the place to have the meeting in a cafe just like creative people. We have a cup of coffee anyway. And we talk. As a matter of fact that is one of the most important reason why we are keeping project 'Roasted Bean': it is a kind of strategic work break for us.

Those who take part in the project meetings are more often than not members of different groups (of the same department). So one goal is to discuss problems and exchange ideas at a far less official level. Maybe it is because of this inofficial nature of the meeting that it is very likely to get some serious results. Yet the better part of this break is dedicated to subjects that are all but work-related.

Thinking of the brain as some kind of muscle, project 'Roasted Bean' is mainly dedicated to easing its tension. Aware of the fact that we are walking the thin line between procrastination and being creative we talk about things we find more relaxing or more thrilling than those that we just left for a couple of minutes on our desks in the offices - just to get rid of the knots in our brains. And most of the time we succeed in doing so.

Of course there are some colleagues who simply don‘t get the idea of project 'Roasted Bean'. Some of them seem to be able to work for up to four hours, have their one hour lunch break, and return to work for up to four hours again before leaving the office. They find it quite suspicious that some co-workers dare to devide the morning and the afternoon at their desk in half. And spending time with fellow workers others than those from the lunch posse or from the same group of the departement - that appears to be some sort of blasphemy to them.

Please, don‘t get me wrong: just because I myself find it hard to spend more than about three hours sort of focused on one particular subject without at least leaving my desk and walk around for a minute, there is nothing wrong with people who are able to do otherwise. Far from it. They have their own special way of working and dealing with their needs to get their work done. In the end it is about becoming and staying creative and productive.

Which is exactly the point: everyone has an individual way of working, and everyone has found or has to find an individual way of relaxation and recreation while at work. The only limiting aspects are the rules which are given by the employer. In case they leave the liberty to the employees to do what they found works best for them, it is up to them to act wisely - because the few that abuse this freedom and bend the rules might be the ones who make the rest suffer one day.

It doesn‘t have to turn out the bad way. And because there is nothing wrong with it where I work we will keep project 'Roasted Bean' alive as long as possible. It is such a great  project, and I am happy to be a part of it, just like my colleagues.

What does your project 'Roasted Bean' look like? Tell me about it!

And - have a break.