How many people work from home in their pj's or sweats?
@WendySpickerman (983)
United States
December 13, 2015 7:07am CST
Have you ever heard the phrase "Those who dress for success, achieve it" ?
I was pondering this thought just this morning and I thought of all of you here on myLot with your wide range of activities, and wondered...
How many people here work from home? Do you work in your pj's or sweats or do you dress professionally when you work... even at home?
Do you think "how you dress" affects your work?
Have you ever wondered if you got out of those pj's or sweats you might be more inspired, more productive? Does your work seem lacking somehow but you just can't pinpoint why?
Have you ever considered changing the way you dress to see if it would make a difference? Would you dare try it for one month?
With 2016 right around the corner, I thought now would the perfect time to inspired and challenge people to try something new. That means fully dressed, hair done, face washed, no more sleeping eyes as you start to type.
If you decide to do this, I'd love to hear how it goes. You can message me at informed.news.wsdj@gmail.com subject line: Dress for Success Challenge
Even if you don't last a full month, I'm sure it would be an experience worth having as you might find..
- Changing the way you dress might make you feel more positive, energized and productive.
- The type of work you produce might not be just productive, but a higher level of work than you've ever done before. Someone might even take notice!
- Not only may these chances affect you work, but your outlook on life and how you interact with others.
I myself, work from home and in the field. As a digital journalist, I have to go out and do interviews, take photos, create video etc. As well as typing up the article, editing, formatting and getting it ready to publish.
I dress professional from the moment I wake and depending on the work I have to do; I dress for that given day. Say I'm covering a winter storm or flood; I'm not going to be out there in heels and a dress. You might also find me with my hair pulled back and in sports gear if I'm covering a sporting event like a bike race or runners. That is good, because I use that time to my benefit as well.
I find dressing for work just as important as getting the work done because even the small things affect how productive we are and the quality of our work.
6 people like this
7 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
13 Dec 15
I work better when I am comfie, I have found that for me, I can decide I need to be in a work mood and just do so, like putting on clothes, I can simply put on the mindset when needed, like facing sounding happy and pleasant on the phone to a customer, I can fake it all. It just takes mental discipline, the clothing means nothing.
2 people like this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
13 Dec 15
I have thought about this before. I only work from home some of the time. Making mystery shop phone calls, typing the reports, searching the job boards and planning productive routes, tracking payments and expenses. Would I be less distracted by other things (TV, etc.) if I put on my "work clothes" and "worked" and then put it away and stopped working.
I did try it after being criticized for my voice being unclear on some recorded phone calls. I got dressed, did my hair and sat at the table instead of on my bed.
But the calls didn't seem to sound any better.
Anyway, I am up for this challenge, and will give it some thought how to adapt it to my part time work out of the home and part time in the home.
1 person likes this
@WendySpickerman (983)
• United States
15 Dec 15
I had to laugh because it was a clarity issue with your voice. This could be due to maybe the position of the phone to your mouth or background sounds. lol I can't wait to hear how it goes for you Paigea.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
16 Dec 15
@WendySpickerman well that's why I thought sitting at the table rather than on the bed. Any way didn't help with that
@GardenGerty (169490)
• United States
13 Dec 15
I do not have a work from home job at this time. Maybe with the new year. I do get up and get dressed, because I never know who I might see.If I were to work from home I think I would need to lock the cat in another room. In addition to dressing appropriately, I think a desk needs to be a work spacee, not a meal space to get the work juices flowing well.
1 person likes this
@WendySpickerman (983)
• United States
13 Dec 15
That's a hard one for me @GardenGerty because sometimes I'll be covering a conference that can last 3 to 4 hours or breaking news which well, I've had those run all day and it's not something I can just stop and go back to as I might have missed something in my time away. I do however, try to take that break away from the computer every chance I get. Plus, I like a nice neat desk with everything in it's place. Even if my desk is covered it's everything needed at the time. My calendar for any incoming meeting, conference that have to be added, my phone for any important text coming in and alerts, my note pads, pens, both sets of eye glasses, my contact book, camera and always a drink. It's so important to stay hydrated. Plus, my desk is my personal space I've got my antique radio, my lavender oil, two small teddy bears from my girls my rock. Yes, I keep a rock on my desk. My girls and I collect rocks so it helps like all the rest keep me "humanized" from the news. I also have a lamp and Dragon's Eye fruit tree on my desk. :-)
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169490)
• United States
10 Jan 16
@WendySpickerman Oh I know that there are times when it is necessary to eat at the desk. Neat desks are important and I need to take a day and get back to that. Hubby and I have side by side desks and share a multi bulb pole lamp. I think a houseplant would be nice for both of us but I am needing to reconfigure some of the cords and towers. In my house, even if no one else is here having a meal with me I try to eat at the table because of some health needs. It was different when I was working for the public.
@Carmelanirel2 (8085)
• United States
11 Jan 16
I start out and end my day on the computer in my pjs, but I do end up washing up, brushing my teeth, and getting dressed. Sometimes in jeans and a t-shirt, other times more comfortable clothing like sweatpants. Other than helping my daughter at her dog grooming shop and clean my neighbors house once a day, the only other work I do is editing my queries/synopsis'/manuscripts for an agent, and I find it isn't my clothing that effects me, but sights and smells. I have candles burning and visuals, like pictures of homes, cars, even colors to inspire my work.
@GardenGerty (169490)
• United States
10 Jan 16
@WendySpickerman I do not have pajama bottoms or sweats. I do have quite a few "athletic style" solid color knit pants. I am a stinker, I absolutely have to color co-ordinate, down to my socks.For what I do that is probably professional enough. I also enjoy wearing dresses and jackets if they are soft. Part of my fibro I think. Or old age. I find socks and shoes to be very important to me. They make me more energetic all over. It could be because I have had a lot of foot and knee pain and I have thereaputic insoles for my shoes. For the things I do I think I dress well, in or out of the house.
@WendySpickerman (983)
• United States
13 Dec 15
I find it strange when people wear those pj bottoms out in public. I just can't seem to get use to it. I have a firm rule.. only put my pj on if I'm sick all day in bed or I'm done for the day and ready to settle in for the night. As for sweats I wear them when I'll have a very active day biking, my therapeutic walks etc but never just to wear.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
16 Dec 15
I dress appropriate for an elderl y woman who is retired b ut afterd innder I put on a warm nightie and my heavy robe as in this retirement center its not heatedl I worked for years as a nurses aide so was in uniform and white shoes then the last 23 years I worked as a page in the local library so nice tops and pretty skirts as I have a brace on m y left leg. so at 89 Im not a career anything I m ylot for fun and the financial edge it gives me is all.
