Day 2.
Same setup as Day 1, same environment, etc.
I knew how this mix affected me, and since I believe that pheros can be steered by behavior, I went in knowing I needed to keep myself in check. Besides, the purpose of testing UF2 is to check its diffusing properties, which means how it affects others.
The only difference between yesterday’s app and today’s was that I put it on in the parking lot at work today rather than before leaving the house. This makes a difference, as my commute is an hour one way. Sitting in my car for about 10 minutes before getting out allowed me to get pretty well basted in both the applied pheros and the bit of mist that always tends to get wasted when it’s sprayed out in the open. I could feel a little adrenaline rush and I also felt a smirk begin to take shape on my face. First test of control: Wipe that shit-eating grin off before going inside!
I went in, got my assignment, and started immediately. Along with doing my own project, I was tasked with helping a fairly new guy on one that was nearly identical. We would be sharing the same project table. Immediately, there was deference and respect. Some of that could have been due to status, as I’ve said before I’m kind of an answer guy. We’ve got a TON of new people working with us, so I’m constantly juggling doing my own work and helping others. I’m also an assistant Team Leader, so there’s that. Understand, I’m not saying this to try to toot my own horn or anything, just to establish that there’s a certain master/apprentice thing I’ve got going with a lot of the new people. Could the MX414 have enhanced their general behavior towards me? Absolutely, in my opinion.
There’s still that “suffer no fools” aspect in play, and I had to watch myself a couple of times. Along with our new technicians, we also have new Quality Assurance people, and one guy in particular is a complete douche. He’s one of those guys that thinks he’s making friends on the job by joking in a way that would be insulting, were it not for an already established rapport, which he doesn’t have yet. I’d like to be gracious and warm up to the guy for peace-keeping’s sake, but every interaction usually ends with me looking at another co-worker and saying, “Did you see that? Dude doesn’t even fucking know me, and he’s pulling bullshit like that.” Anyway, today, I just decided I wasn’t going to deal with him. First time he pulled his crap, I just gave him a long, cold stare until he looked away, and went back to my work. Never heard a peep from him the rest of the evening.
A couple of times, I had people ask me if I was pissed or if something was bothering me. I figured I just had my “serious” face on, because another thing about today is that I was COMPLETELY focused. My brain was working a mile a minute, hashing out what steps my body would perform 3 steps down the line. I’ll call this an effect on others by proxy of a self effect.
Anyway, to cut it short, I think I’m going to do a 180 here and say this mix is actually good for work in my case. A word of caution to others, however: Don’t let my experience alone be your determination. Get a solid grasp on how it’ll affect you, and only then decide if it would be appropriate for your work setting.
EDIT: Gonna think on this a bit more and I may add to it. There were a couple of other things that happened today, but I need to sort out if it was phero-related or not.