Distance Living
In the midst of a major relocation, Terry Hobbs'
life is far from sane. As a project manager for The
Timken Company, he has found himself called to another
position... in Kentucky. With his wife, Rosie, busy at
home preparing their house in Galion, Ohio, for sale,
Hobbs' living situation is not ideal. Living out of a
hotel, his main connection to his wife, two sons and
granddaughter is a telephone. How does Hobbs continue his
success in business and family when the two are currently
so separated? Continue reading to see how one man is
balancing his job and his family... separated by hundreds
of miles.
5:00 a.m. - Wake up and grab a quick
shower. Watch CNN to catch up on some current events
while getting ready for the day.
5:30 a.m. - Do a little work, review
yesterday's documents in order to prepare for the
day.
6:00 a.m. - Leave the hotel, go to
work.
6:30 a.m. - Arrive at work. Getting in
early is beneficial because it provides a chance to talk
to all of the shifts. The night shift is still in; the
day shift is just starting. Walk through a section of the
plant to say good morning to everyone. Every day
different sections are chosen. This provides a chance to
see everyone and make sure the plant is running
smoothly.
7:00 a.m. - Check all mail and begin
reviewing the production processes for the morning
meeting.
8:00 a.m. - Attend morning meeting. Review
yesterday's work and discuss planning for the week.
9:00 a.m. - Review the responsibilities of
one manager to gain a clearer understanding of his job.
This too is a daily activity. Every day, a different
manager is chosen in order to gain a deeper understanding
of the plant's situation.
12:00 p.m. - After reviewing printouts of
the plant, grab a quick lunch.
12:45 p.m. - Return to office and check
messages. Receive a message from oldest son, Brian, in
Atlanta. Call him back immediately, but get no
answer.
1:00 p.m. - Attend a meeting with the
personnel manager dealing with overtime scheduling.
1:15 p.m. - During the meeting, the phone
rings. It is Brian calling back. Pick it up out of
curiosity for why he had called. Brian announces he, his
wife, Andrea, and daughter, Callie, are officially buying
their first home. Talk quickly (and quietly) about this
exciting news, rejoin the meeting.
4:00 p.m. - After several other meetings,
go back out on the floor to answer
questions/concerns.
5:20 p.m. - Leave work and return to the
hotel.
6:00 p.m. - Get home and call wife, Rosie.
Talk about day's activities, read and tune into
CNN.
6:15 p.m. - Rosie calls back to discuss
selling the house and Brian and Andrea's new home.
6:30 p.m. - Call Brian back to talk some
more. Rosie calls because Matt, our youngest, has been
calling. Call him back but get no answer.
7:00 p.m. - Go to the driving range, eat
dinner and drive though a housing development to explore
the Lexington area.
8:30 p.m. - Call Matt to talk about his
final semester in college and his current
internship.
9:00 p.m. - Wind down. Watch some TV, read
some material for work.
10:30 p.m. - Go to sleep in preparation for
tomorrow.
Day In The Life
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August 2000 NFC
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Issue Highlight -
Homeward Bound
