A vacation is just a swivel away from James Joseph’s work desk. His home office overlooks the stunning backwaters of Aluva, Kerala. Think of all the days you have yearned to work from home when stuck in the daily commute. James manages to do just that. Formerly Director, Executive Engagement with Microsoft, Joseph managed to convince his bosses in the US to let him work from his village in Kerala and started JackFruit365, an initiative that makes jackfruit available throughout the year by freeze-drying them. His debut novel, God’s Own Office, oscillates between being a memoir and a how-to guide for those wanting to set up a home office. Excerpts from an interview:
How did you get the book published?
I used to blog about my journey, post pictures and share my experiences with my LinkedIn friends. Slowly I realised there was a lot of interest in my story. In January 2014, I decided to go see Abraham Verghese at The Hindu Lit for Life in Chennai. I was inspired by his writing; here was a medical professional who was also a skilled writer. I asked one of the volunteers at the event if I could speak to him and he gave me some very candid advice. He said, “You must have a life beyond writing. If your income does not depend on it then that is great. There is no pressure to write and you don’t overexert yourself.” I met people from Penguin at the event, who told me to e-mail the commissioning editor. I heard back from them with interest and we just went ahead and worked on the book.
Working from home is not a luxury everyone can afford. How is the book relevant to all fields?
I was extremely lucky. I had the right combination of a supportive boss, an accommodating family and a job profile that allowed me to micromanage. But, let’s not forget that I made it work. I went ahead and seized the opportunity and took the step. Often, people forget that an honest conversation with your employer can lead to a more pleasant work environment. So, in that sense I am hoping that a reader — even though he or she may need to be present at the office at all times — can find a few useful and applicable anecdotes.
The book discusses time management at great length.
This is my personal journey interspersed with ideas and pointers for working professionals in India and abroad. Having worked in the U.S. and U.K., when I returned to India, I found that I was spending most of my time getting from point A to B. There is really no reason for me to spend so much time in traffic. By moving to my home in Aluva, Kerala, which is close to the airport, I could make it to a corporate office in India faster than some people within the same city. Also, because I work in a relaxed environment I can manage my time better and don’t require as many breaks. This is all a result of self-discipline. Working from home does have its challenges. You are likely to get distracted, have unwanted visitors, have IT issues that you need to fix on your own. But, in time, people will realise and respect your workspace and, once you have a system in place for the logistics involved, this format really works.
Why did you decide to include your wife’s struggles with the medical council in India?
My family is a very important part of my journey. I have three daughters who have been watching me through my different phases. My wife was qualified to practice as a doctor in the U.K. When we moved back to India, she was not allowed to practice as she does not hold an Indian passport. The whole experience with the bureaucracy and the decision to keep finding ways to help her work was important to me because I wanted my daughters to know that their education meant something and they need to use their skills.
What is JackFruit 365?
It is an initiative that I started after quitting Microsoft. After working non-stop for so many years, I realised my bandwidth was not being consumed. Jackfruit is a wonderfully versatile fruit that can be used for a variety of dishes. The only problem is that chefs across hotels in India face while using the product is that they cannot get it fresh. So I started this initiative to create an organised market for the fruit and make it available for people to use all throughout the year. We preserve them in air-tight pouches that can be defrosted and used when required.
God's Own Office; James Joseph, Penguin India, Rs. 399
For more updates on The Hindu Lit for Life visit:
Website:>www.thehindu.com/litforlife
Facebook: >>www.facebook.com/TheHinduLitForLife
Twitter:>www.twitter.com/hindulitforlife
Instagram:>www.instagram.com/hindulitforlife
Youtube:>http://thne.ws/playlist-litforlife
Vine:>http://vine.co/Lit.for.Life
