Marc Melvin’s Blog

The company I work for is making a huge deal about dress code lately. Anyone that knows me knows I’m not a big fan of dressing up because it stifles my ability to focus on my work. Dress pants are uncomfortable and get more uncomfortable throughout the day as you move around, and dress shirts have the same problem, in addition to the fact that long sleeves just aren’t practical in South Florida due to the weather. I don’t mind wearing nice shoes, but if they expect me to keep them nice and polished, just like if they expect me to iron my shirts and pants every morning, then they are just setting me up for failure. After all, the whole reason I took the job in the first place was because of how relaxed the environment seemed. I have better things to do than to worry about whether or not I have a crease in my shirt. It may seem petty, but comfort is my #1 productivity fuel.

So, in an attempt to be objective, I decided to look up information on dress codes and see if maybe I’m missing the big picture. I came across a post by Jason Warner that I really agree with. He says that dressing for success is important, and that you should try to always dress to be who you want to be to further your career goals. That’s when I realized that only a small part of my problem is with the clothes themselves. The problem I have with dressing for success is that I don’t want to be the person that wears suits to work because it isn’t me. The day I wear a suit to work is the day that I own my own company and am doing it on my own terms. Right now, I’m a programmer, and I’m not supposed to be seen. That’s how I like it.

Regardless, I’ve decided that I’m going to start dressing for success in my own way. I am going to wear the clothes that remind me of who I want to become, and that show my desired career path. While I’m sure my coding abilities will get me 95% of the way, maybe my new style is the 5% I’ve been missing to actually get me over the hump that has been holding me back. That’s why I’ve decided my New Year’s Resolution will be to fill my closet with these.

Just as the title says… I’m currently sitting in Kendell Regional with my amazing, wonderful girlfriend, Debby. She’s sleeping right now, so I’m trying to be as quiet as I can be. I had the chance to talk to the EMTs that pulled her out of the car and brought her here… one of them said something that I will probably never forget. He said, “she is very lucky.”

Now I’m thinking… a lot… considering that I have plenty of time to do so at the moment… and it is really hitting me how fragile and short life really is. If I had lost her tonight… well… thank God I didn’t. There is a whole lifetime of experiences that I want to share with her. She has changed my life in ways I can’t begin to explain. Every day has a reason now since I’ve met her. She makes it all worthwhile. And I love her for it.

Anyways, for anyone that might be wondering, she is going to be ok. She may leave here with some broken bones, but the point is she is leaving here. And soon. I’m sure that annoying beeping sound isn’t helping her sleep.