Tag: Remote work

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children's ministry children's ministry cartoons K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine motivation work

When You Just Can’t Work Remotely

Cartoon of a man observing a woman with s smartphone. She says, "Frank texted me. He's supposed to be in the K-1 class, but he's out of town. He offered to watch the class if we Skype him in."
Originally published in "K! Kidzmatter Magazine."

As the novel coronavirus concerns ramped up, there was a big emphasis on working from home. But we soon heard, “What happens when you just can’t work remotely?”

For many office jobs, we found it was a possibility. As a graphic designer, that can be a preferred mode of working. After all, you just need a laptop and a speedy Internet connection, and you are in business. However, after two years, we’ve found there are aspects of remote work that just don’t work.

Also, there are many jobs where that just isn’t possible. Manufacturing requires workers to be at the machines and be productive. As a Graphics Manager at such a facility, I soon found I was needed at the plant. While we had some office workers off-site as a precaution, we still needed office workers there to keep the jobs moving.

While some schoolwork can be done remotely, someone has to be there to guide a child and keep him out of trouble. Someone has to be home to feed her. Sure, The parent can do that… while they are working remotely… and having their web conference with that important client… and keeping the dog quiet. What could go wrong?

We soon found out! Remote learning has been very hard for students. I feel for them. While remote employment has worked, remote learning has been very hard for kids.

Continue reading “When You Just Can’t Work Remotely”
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motivation technology cartoons

Are You Getting Tired of Staring at Screens Too?

Cartoon of a man staring at a computer screen

Yes, I am also tired of staring at screens. If it’s not a computer screen, it’s my phone, tablet or television. If you are working from home, odds are, your screen is the window to your workplace. If you are not working right now, a screen may be your entertainment, a diversion or vital information about the outside world.

I am thankful we have this technology. It gives us insight and helps us to be productive. Yet, it can cause our eyes to glaze over. I don’t know about you, but my eyes feel tired by noon. And there are days when the connection is slow and it feels like I spend more time waiting for the network to catch up than doing work. Yes, it can be frustrating.

Yet, this has been good for us. We are all now finding ways to work we didn’t think were possible at the beginning of the year. We were very paper-based in my office. Now we know it is possible to eliminate the paper. And in some cases, it is actually speeding up the workflow.

As we get through this screen-filled era, remember to take some time to look away for a while. Perhaps read that paper book you’ve been meaning to get to. Call a coworker or friend. Or close your eyes on your break and listen to some uplifting music or an informative podcast. Your eyes will thank you. And perhaps your mind will thank you for the break as well.

Cartoon of a man staring at a computer screen
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CHOG News church cartoons motivation Newsletters

Remote Work Makes Every Day Casual Friday

Cartoon of a man in a bathrobe and an annoyed women. The wife says, "When we get to go to church again, this WON'T be your new church look."
Published in the April 2020 CHOGNewsletter

If you have been working from home, have you found that every day has become casual Friday? I thought of this cartoon idea because I knew Easter Sunday was coming. It’s a time when churchgoers get dressed up. This year was quite different from the past. It was far different than Irving Berlin’s old song.

I didn’t look quite as bad as the guy in my cartoon. Still, it was far more casual than past Easters. I heard stories of people dressing up anyway for the holiday. I would say they probably felt better and it helped lift their spirits. I will have to try it this weekend.

If you have been working remotely and have been a little down in the dumps, it may help to get dressed up as if you were going to your workplace or for an event. In the meantime, I know we’re all looking forward to the day when we can get out their and parade in our Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it.

I drew this cartoon for the April 2020 CHOGNewsletter.

Cartoon of a man in a bathrobe and an annoyed women. The wife says, "When we get to go to church again, this WON'T be your new church look."
Published in the April 2020 CHOGNewsletter
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motivation pet cartoons

Is This More Stressful on Us or the Pets?

Cartoon of two cats. One says, "Don't let her comments bother you. They have no idea how hard we have to work at being lazy."

The other day, I saw a video of a cat that was very unhappy she had to share her daytime living space with her quarantined owners. The poor kitty was yowling and hissing mad.

Working from home has been a challenge for everyone. Right now, I’ve been busy trying to make it all work for my artists. It’s been a major transition for us because we relied so heavily on paper folders until all of this happened. Hey! Don’t judge me! When you are a printer, you like to continue using paper as much as possible.

For those of us working remotely, the pets must be even more overwhelmed at this point. Just like their owners, routines have been twisted, turned inside out and bounced around like a toy mouse. One article suggests if we’re stressed at home, pets will pick up on that. On the other hand, if you’re soothed by your presence, perhaps they are too.

Maybe it’s a great time for dogs as opposed to cats. A friend told me his dog is quite happy to have the extra walks and attention. I’ve heard no reports on cats. Perhaps if we can give them a little time to be lazy, they’ll be more tolerant of us as well.

Cartoon of two cats. One says, "Don't our owners bother you. They have no idea how hard we have to work at being lazy."
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Business Cartoons

Happy National Coffee Day 2019!

Cartoon of two men talking in a kitchen: "My Major disappointment from working at home is I have no one to blame for a bad cup of coffee."

O coffee, coffee, how sweet the brew!
Caffeine to me, oh thus you imbue.
It brightens me on the way to church,
Your sweet bitters, I do always search.

Happy National Coffee Day! I plan to celebrate with friends in children’s ministry and the lobby this morning. As my cartoon demonstrates, it is better to share it with friends and coworkers than all by your self.