Are you dressed for success?
By Gina
@Gina145 (3949)
Johannesburg, South Africa
September 2, 2015 5:35pm CST
I've never been really fashion conscious and, being self-employed, I never really had to worry about dressing smartly for work. I've always been a t-shirt and blue jeans kind of girl and it takes a special occasion for me to put on a dress or skirt. But an article I came across on the Writers' Digest website is making me start to question the wisdom of this lifestyle choice.
The author discusses how she used to suffer from writers' block. At the time she always wore her oldest, most comfortable clothes when she sat down to write. Then one day a friend told her that she should treat writing like a job and dress as if she was going to work. And she claims that making that small change to her life has made a big difference to her writing.
As I mentioned in a previous discussion, I suffer badly from writers' block. Now I'm wondering whether a simple thing like that could really make a difference. Somehow I doubt it, but some of the advice in the article does make sense. Read it and see what you think.
I realized I wasn’t taking my writing like a job. When I finally turned that corner, my career took a big leap. Here's how you can do the same.
7 people like this
7 responses
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
2 Sep 15
I just read the article. I think that it is an interesting idea. I have never had to wear nice clothes at work because I mostly worked in nursing homes and home health care, but maybe it is worth a try. I also experience writer's block at the moment. I am trying to write a collection of short stories, but it is hard to get started.
2 people like this
@Gina145 (3949)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
3 Sep 15
@Porcospino It definitely sounds like it's worth a try. I don't know how easy I'll find it though as I spend a lot of time working at home and I like to be comfortable.
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
2 Sep 15
I have read that, too. It sure would not hurt to give it a try. I know I don't like what I HAVE to wear where I work....navy collared shirts and khaki pants/capris. Ugh. What's so successful-looking about that? 
2 people like this
@Gina145 (3949)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
2 Sep 15
I agree, @bluerubymoon53 . It's certainly worth a try. It may not help with my writers' block, but it could help to improve other areas of my life.
2 people like this
@owstalaga (4707)
• Philippines
9 Sep 15
Well I think it all comes down to seriously deciding on doing the job well rather than just writing out something to see how it goes. 
Whatever works for us is the best.
Whatever works for us is the best.1 person likes this
@Gina145 (3949)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
9 Sep 15
@owstalaga The point of the article is that if you dress as if you're going to do a serious job, you're more likely to do the job well. I haven't worked out whether it works for me though.
@owstalaga (4707)
• Philippines
9 Sep 15
@Gina145 Yes that's right. But like I said, even if you dress the part if the person is still not serious about writing anywhere it won't work at all. 
1 person likes this
@Gina145 (3949)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
9 Sep 15
@owstalaga You're right. Different people react to things differently and I doubt it would work for me. I tend to get a lot of my ideas when I'm trying to sleep and I'm certainly not dressed for work then 
1 person likes this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
17 May 16
@Gina145 No I personally can't see that happening, just me a t-shirt and jeans any day lol.
1 person likes this
@Gina145 (3949)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
17 May 16
@kevin1877uk Maybe it only works if one believes it will. 
1 person likes this
@Gina145 (3949)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
17 May 16
@kevin1877uk So far I haven't even been tempted to change my habits. I just don't believe that dressing differently will make me more creative.
1 person likes this
@Gina145 (3949)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
3 Sep 15
I tend to get dressed rather late because there are some things I feel more comfortable doing in my pyjamas, but I think I need to change that. And your point about never knowing who could ring the doorbell is a good one. I've been caught out that way a few times. That's the price I pay for being a night owl.
1 person likes this
