The Nest Screwdriver

My new Nest Learning Thermostat arrived yesterday.

So far, I love it. But I’m not going to talk about the thermostat right now. I want to use it for a few weeks before sharing my thoughts on it.

Instead, I want to talk about a screwdriver.

Installing the Nest requires two screws. Instead of heading to the garage to search for my toolbox, Nest includes the tool I need.

Few companies sweat the details to this level.

The subtle indentation on the handle reminds me of those on the Apple TV remote. Some might say those tiny details don’t matter. I mean, it’s a screwdriver! But that misses the point. Anything that’s in the box should match the quality of the elegant Nest device.

The screwdriver is more than a tool. It tells a story. It says we went the extra mile. It surprises. It amuses.

Does your company have its own screwdriver?

My Work

The question comes in many forms.

What do you do?

What is your job?

What line of work are you in?

What do you do for work?

It’s a simple question, and one I get more since I began working from home at my own company.

I suspect the answer one gives to that questions is often sugar-coated or watered down depending on the person asking the question. Does your answer change if you’re telling a parent than it would if you’re asked at a high school reunion?

I’ve had a few jobs that were difficult to describe even to people I worked alongside. For example, I had a job at Microsoft where I spent 50% of my days in meetings. I’m not kidding. There were days were I spent 6 to 8 hours in meetings and then got caught up on email late into the night. I guess you could say I was paid a salary to attend meetings and do email although my job title was “Product Manager” I didn’t actually work on a product nor did I manage much of anything.

I’ve worked in sales over the past couple of years, but I wouldn’t say I really sold anything. I was more of a consultant and order taker. I was technology manager for a number of years, but if I told you what I did each day you’d call me a baby-sitter. I don’t know if I could describe the few marketing jobs I’ve had, but I know I certainly couldn’t explain what I did each day with any accuracy.

But as went for an afternoon walk today I though about the work I’m doing now. I don’t have a job in the traditional sense, meaning I don’t have an office, meetings, or coworkers. I don’t even have a job description or designated work hours. But I can describe what I do, so here it goes.

I write for Site Builder Report.

I write for Puget Systems.

I gather customer feedback for Puget Systems and integrate the best of it back into our company and products.

That’s what I spend my days doing, and I love it.

How would you describe your job?

Bed Frame

Amazon delivered two boxes. After a week spent packing and moving into a new home I wanted nothing to do them because inside were bed frames for Luca and Anna. I didn’t possess the mental capacity to assemble anything with dozens of small parts.

But the girls were excited. So I pushed one box toward their room and began putting pieces together. After a few minutes, Luca joined me. She sat on her mattress and began telling me about school and friends and exactly how much hair she wants trimmed.

It’s not often I get to listen to my daughter tell me about what’s important in her life without a single interruption. She turned 13 a few weeks ago. It doesn’t seem that long since I sat on the floor and watched Harold the Purple Crayon with her, trying to tune out the horrific tragedy of 9/11.

Moments like these are unpredictable and rare. I wonder how many of them I miss because I’m tuned out?

We finished assembling the bed frame. With the mattress in place, my work was done. I kissed Luca on the forehead, and headed up bed, happier than any father has a right to be.