Working from home most of the time these days, means that it’s easy to get into a dressing rut. I mean no one else is going to see me. I don’t have to wear suits. Don’t have to wear make-up. Don’t even need to make sure that my clothes match.
Unless I want to.
I realized very quickly that in this new lifestyle as a consultant – getting dressed first thing in the morning is important. Walking into my office is walking into my job and I should treat it as such. Besides, being dressed early means that I am prepared for whatever the day brings – an impromptu invitation or opportunity doesn’t phase me because I’m ready to go.
So while I may not dress as fancily as I did when I was going to an external office, I do make sure everything is pressed and matches.
Recently I decided to do what I used to do when I was working in an outside firm by putting on earrings to match my clothes. Have to be coordinated (or “coORdin-ated” as the comic John Witherspoon intones).
I put on my pearl drop earrings and wore them all day on Tuesday, (They aren’t real pearls but they are really nice imitation ones that I purchased from the Museum of Fine Art-Boston a few years back…on sale.)
- Why should they (and my other jewelry) languish in my dresser?
- Why shouldn’t I make more of an effort to look saucily self-employed?
- Why would I dress better for the eyes of others than for my very own eyes?
- Who deserves to wear pearl earrings “just because” more than me?
I swear this is having a positive impact on my work because I’m working with more vigor and creativity.
Another “pick-up-your-power-and-use-it* lesson learned!
(*if you search this blog there’s an earlier entry titled “Pick up Your Power and Use it!” that you might also like.)
Makes me want to go and get some pearl earrings! I too have been making myself spruce up a little – it reminds me that I’m worth something! And, it makes me feel cared for. Good for you!
I totally agree. I think its important to get dressed as if you were going into the office. I think you act differently as a result. Working from home is tough given all the distractions. I admire you for doing it and I love pearls of any description.
I am working home based too. What I like about it is that I can wear anything that i like. I don’t wear pajamas though.:D