Working From Home - Get Dressed

This may not be a popular topic but when I look at the experiences that I have had from working from home before and during the pandemic, combined with the experiences my kids had doing remote learning during the pandemic, I will whole heartily recommend getting dressed every work/school day.

Before anyone panics, please read this.  I will tell you right now that I am not advocating doing a full face of make up and fancy hair style, business dress (i.e. suit and tie or female equivalent) unless you are comfortable doing that.

For full disclosure I have never been one to do my make up on most days, just special occasion days or when the mood struck me.  I don't see that as necessary to presenting a professional business image.

What I do mean, is get out of your pjs, workout gear, yoga pants, etc.  Get dressed in something that would qualify as business casual there is a lot of that out there and more than likely you have been wearing it to your office at least one day a week pre-pandemic and that is what you should wear.

Remember the point is to help you be more productive while working from home

Getting started is often the hardest part of anything. If you are finding it hard to start your work day, ask yourself if it is because you are rolling into your start rather than just starting.

What I mean is if you are rolling out of bed, having some breakfast and then walking to your computer to start your day in you pjs then that is rolling into your day.  You haven't made the mental transition to work mode, you are still in home mode.  What your wear as well as your environment help you change gears from personal to professional.  When you are working from home your environment may be harder to alter, so focus on what you wear, because that is easier.  Start with something that is easy and achievable and then use your momentum to move on to other tasks.

I believe that environment and clothes help set your attitude/tone

I think we have heard phrases such as "dress for success", and "dress for the job you want not what you have" and there is a reason for it, how we are perceived and how we perceive ourselves is tied somewhat to our appearance. It can also help influence how productive we are and feel.

For example, there are some days I just have very little motivation and say, who cares I am wearing yoga pants and a t-shirt, I want to feel comfortable and I don't care.  Those days I am generally less productive.  However, on my lazy days if I make the choice to wear anything that even remotely touches the business casual realm I am more productive, and guess what I am still comfortable.  Take today's outfit, twill capri pants paired with a polo style shirt.  It is comfortable but yet I feel more put together and I am more productive.

What did you wear for client meetings?

Think of it like this, when you went to client meetings or they came to you, or perhaps you had a big presentation within your own company, what did you wear?  You probably put together an outfit that made you feel confident and powerful.  You also have to remember that your appearance influences the impression others have of you, even if it isn't your first impression.

When you don't have the same subtle cues that you are moving into 'work mode' such as your commute, you need to make sure you have other cues that help you get into 'work mode'.  And yes, one thing can be getting dressed, even if you are less formal than you were when you went to the office.  

As I stated above getting dressed doesn't have to be a big production but it needs to be done.  I like the way US News puts it:

.. if you can find a balance between overly comfortable and overly formal work clothes, you’ll be better off.  (read the whole thing here)

 

As always, remember that my tips are not a decree from on high, but examples of what has worked for me.  There are days that yep I do wear yoga pants and a t-shirt and don't follow my own advice, I am human and so are you.  But I do strive to follow the 'get dressed' rule more often than not.  There will be days that you don't and that is ok.  What you decide is the perfect work from home uniform may not be the same thing I do, the point of this exercise is for you to think about what clothing will help you make that mindset shift so that you are in work mode rather than home mode.

  Note: I am not sure how many topics I will cover, but I do know I have at least one other topic and I will post next Monday.