Boris Johnson - national treasure and likely Tory candidate for the London Mayoralty - wrote a funny and knowing article the other day about why most of us, despite the horror of commuting - still goto work every day.

I used to work in London and commuted in everyday. I hated it. I really hated it. My train would routinely get within sight of London Bridge station and just sit outside for what seemed like an eternity. The platform so close, and yet so far. It was maddening. But once I got to work, I loved it. The banter, the laughs, the teas that went on far too long, the sense of achievement when things got done, the bitching about the boss*, general cameraderie and the feeling of coming home tired after a day's work which is a great way of getting a good night's sleep.

Slight tangent, but I mentioned above how "bitching about the boss" was an enjoyable part of work. I found it to be a perverse fact that the less popular the boss, the better it was for team spirit. It provides a single point of derision that everyone can agree and bond over. In teams where I've had what can only be described a great bloke for a boss, the teams were nowhere near as tight nit.

So where was I going with all this. Having to get up and go do a regular job represented something I hated and something I loved all at the same time. By no longer having to get up and goto work, I miss out on both. I'm undecided still as to whether I'm better off.

Always interested to know from others who've made the move to full time employment to working for themselves if it's been a move they're completely happy with...?

Labels: commuting, home working, offices