The Office Challenge

I've often argued that a little levity in the office goes a long way.  It's why I made a web comic a while back on the Kubler Ross Model of internet blocking, why I sometimes advocate guerilla tactics in the workplace, and why I launched Gov + Memes.

you! by dhammza

It's also why I'm bringing you the Office Challenge; a list of totally absurd yet funny things to try to pull off in the office. They are neither intended to significantly distract from the workday nor be offensive to your colleagues. They are simply a way to have some fun in the office.   You remember fun don't you? Random Challenges

• "Make it rain" Monopoly money in a budget meeting (bonus points for if its done while presenting a Treasury Board Submission)
• Use Comic Sans font instead of bold to add emphasis to a briefing note
• Put up a variant of this poster on the shredder in the office.
• Change your email signature to "Stay Frosty"
• Rickroll someone with a hyperlink to this Rick Astley Classic in a briefing note and/or email
• Replace your chair with a hammock
• Make a window in your cubicle by removing the panels (I've actually done this btw)
• Do this in the elevator.
• (leave your own in the comments below!)

You know that old NRA bumper sticker saying "guns don't kill people, people kill people" well you can say almost the same thing about cubicles, namely that: "Cubicles don't bore, people bore people".
I for one find it sad that something as simple as a little levity seems so outside the norm for so many of us that the tongue-in-cheek suggestions above can seem outrageous rather than humorous.
I'm not saying don't do the work, I'm just saying that there is room to have a little fun while doing it. Originally published by Nick Charney at cpsrenewal.ca subscribe/connect

8 Simple Rules for Budget Time

I know I'm a day early, but I couldn't resist given that the (Canadian) Federal budget drops today.  If you are a federal public servant you may want to consider following 8 simple rules of Budget Time:
1ST RULE: You do not talk about the budget.
2ND RULE: You DO NOT talk about the budget.
3RD RULE: If someone you don't know asks you about the budget, the conversation is over. 
4TH RULE: Only two types of estimates matter; main estimates and supplementary estimates. 
5TH RULE: One of the Annexes has the information you are looking for.
6TH RULE: No tweeting, no Facebooking. 
7TH RULE: This will go on as long as it has to. 
8TH RULE: If this is your first Budget, you can find it here.
(Note: all of the above is clearly aimed at providing some much needed levity.)
Originally published by Nick Charney at cpsrenewal.casubscribe/connect

The public sector needs more levity

Gov + Memes =

Those considering joining this sector don't want to have to sacrifice who they are just so they can work here.

We need to bring back the jester.

We need more levity.

(apologies for the short post, its been a very busy week, click that last link, you will be happy you did)



Originally published by Nick Charney at cpsrenewal.casubscribe/connect

Office Space / NIN Mashup

I'm really not sure where to put this but I figured I'd blog it. I mashed up scenes from the movie Office Space and the NIN song Everyday is Exactly the Same.

It's something I've been meaning to do for a while now, and as a fan of both the works I'd encourage you to spend your time/money consuming them both in their entirety.

Happy Tuesday

Cheers

Office Space / NIN Remix (Everyday is Exactly the Same) from Nick Charney on Vimeo.

Originally published by Nick Charney at cpsrenewal.casubscribe/connect