Business Casual

When I look back on my various jobs over the years, I have vague recollections of projects and releases. But in all the years that I've worked, the moments that I most remember aren't the times when I solved a complex problem or when the team finished a release. No, it's usually the little things that aren't work related that I remember.

Getting dared to eat all of the salt at the bottom of a large container of Sam's Club pretzels and trying to hide the subsequent sickness I remember vividly. Playing scores of domino games in breakrooms and restaurants I recall with fondness. Even simple things like birthday parties and after work team outings are cemented clearly in my mind. But when I try to think of actual work related items, they seem to blend together. Sure there are some work instances that I remember, but they generally don't illicit the same feelings.

I remember fighting with FedEx as I integrated their shipping web services. I remember staying up for 30 hours straight trying to finish a project. I remember collecting data, attending conferences, presenting prototypes, and other random programming items. But those events are not the stories that I usually share with co-workers over lunch.

I think that's just how jobs are. We don't remember our day-to-day duties with the same level of detail as the fun times we actually share with our co-workers. This is why companies should encourage teams to spend time with one another. And as cheesy as it sounds, team outings can be beneficial as they can build a better working relationship. Now, do all workplaces need to be filled with close, personal friends? Of course not. That's not reasonable. But being able to foster an actual relationship with those at your office will go a long way to creating enjoyable moments that you'll look back upon one day.