Hey, Put Some Pants On!
Working from Home | Not all Marshmallows & Hot Cocoa
WORKING FROM HOME IS GREAT!
While other people are stuck in bad, inclement weather, and commuter traffic, you sit back and review the accident reports on your smart phone and think, sincerely, “ooh, I hope they’re okay” (plop, plop…marshmallows into your mug of steaming hot cocoa, whilst in your pajama pants).
Now, please don’t misunderstand, working from a home based business/office is not all marshmallows and hot cocoa. I’m no slacker. I work hard at my business, for my clients and my family. But when it comes to blogging, . No, that’s not a typo…it’s what happens to me at the mere mention of blogging for my business.
So, why is it so difficult? To understand my personal annoyance you need to know that I have worked as a writer! As a successful grant writer; developer of sales kits/presentations; press releases/conferences; editor/writer of company newsletters; developer of story lines/scripts for an award winning cable TV program…but, I cannot for the life of me complete a blog!
STATE OF DRESS = STATE OF MIND
During a recent conversation with my significant other I lamented this. My wonderful, supportive guy, who is a former Marine (ouh-rah), and a straight talker with a mischievous sense of humor said, “Maybe you need to put on some pants.” Hmmm, I looked down…I was wearing pants (albeit they were ratty old pajama pants).
I was not dressed in a professional manner. Point blank he asked, “Would you go to a client in that state of dress?” Knowing full well that I dress very professionally at all times (outside of my own office), he continued, “If this were a video meeting, would you dress that way?”…Eeh Gahd, NO!
Working from a home based business/office has its double edge; it is as wonderful as it is difficult, whether you have a dedicated home office or work from your kitchen table. In order to feel like the talented, dedicated small business person that you truly are, it is important to also look the part. Not because someone else may see you, but because of the way it will make you feel.
By wearing something you would be ashamed to be seen in if walking the dog, you devalue yourself as a professional and your business. This in turn creates clutter in your mind and makes it terribly difficult to not only perceive yourself in the role of advisor, or savvy business person, but can also create self doubt in your ability to perform certain tasks (for me, it is manifested in my inability to produce blogs on a consistent basis).
So, do what I did, have a shower, get dressed (I put on nice pants), apply a bit of make-up (for guys…if that floats your boat…I don’t judge :)) and get to work!
Oh…and don’t forget the extra marshmallows in the hot cocoa.
It’s funny.. I learned this a few years ago.. that when I got up and showered and got dressed.. I was much more productive then I was not showered or in sweats.
I even sounded better on fone calls.
You don’t have to put on a suit.. but getting dressed, shoes on and all, def gets your mind in the “time to work” mode.
Worked for me.
Hi, John. Yes, incredibly this made a huge difference today for me, the proof is in the blogging! Thanks for your support!!
lol – I do have to get dressed to go to work during the week since I work in an office outside of the home. But I agree that showering and dressing definitely helps me focus on being productive at home on the days I stay home. Everyone has this vision of stumbling into your at-home office in a robe and slippers with tousled hair and a steaming cup of coffee, sitting down to the computer and “going to work”. I find I get distracted, surf the internet, pay online bills, do laundry, etc when I try this. But, if I block out certain time to do xyz and prepare to be productive, it helps a whole lot!
Great post and that cocoa looks delicious!
Daria @ Mom In Management
Hi, Daria. You are so right. I have a structured time of 6-8 hours each day dedicated exclusively to my business. This really makes the difference. The most interesting thing is that I have no problem performing all other tasks, for clients, etc. But in order to talk (blog) about my business, I have to get dressed…as though I were at a networking event. May have to ponder or blog about that more
. Thanks for your comment!
I am actually in the middle of a collaborative series about executive image (7 women, new post each monday till the end of Jan). Ultimately what I think is coming out of it is that what you wear matters the most if it makes a difference in how you feel about yourself and therefore the confidence and poise you exude. I think the same is true at home even without an audience. That “corporate war paint” aka makeup gives me an “I’m an adult.” feeling that bolsters my courage and prepares me to conquer the world. It’s not really so much about what I look like as about how I feel.
This may not make any sense to you since I think I’m just rambling – but it is perfectly clear in my head!
Thank you again!