Whenever someone tells us that the secret to a productive day for freelancers is getting ready in the morning, there’s always a school of thought that disagrees. What’s interesting is that no one ever comes up and says that working in your pajamas is productive and yields great results work wise.

I won’t be telling you that either. As a freelance writer who has done both, I can tell you that getting ready for work is much more productive than working in pjs.

Working in your Pj days are fun, there’s no denying it. The element of glee involved is just too good to pass up. An occasional day spent working in Pjs is a far cry from doing it every day though.

So Really, Just Get Dressed Already

The secret to having a productive work day is getting dressed.

There. I said it.

Look at yourself right now. Forget stepping into an office. Are you dressed to step out and meet a client for an informal meeting?

Didn’t think so.

While working from home gives us the freedom to be our selves, dress comfortably and work anywhere we want, it does not give us the liberty to become sloppy, unhygienic and unproductive by working in our pjs.

If you’re not getting dressed for work (which includes taking a morning shower by the way) then you’re bringing your bed to work instead of your brain.

You’re sabotaging your own productivity.

Routines are there for a reason. The simple act of waking up, taking a shower and pulling on clothes that had some thought go into their selection, prepares you for a work a day without the pressure of running late or looking good.

When you sit down to work, you’re already in work mode and your day is already halfway through to being productive.

Bottom Line: It’s fun to work in your pjs but it’s more productive to get dressed.

We’ll be talking about other well established work routines that we love to scoff at but are actually good for our mind, body and work in the coming days.

What’s your morning routine and how does it affect your productivity?

Image Credit: HazPhotos

Technorati Tags: Freelancing, Productivity

Back in April when I took time off, I was shocked at how easy it was to come back and pick up where I left off. I’d taken the unconventional route and closed shop for the 10 days I was away. Projects were completed; clients were notified. I came back, notified my clients I was back and before I knew it I was freelancing again.

When I took my yearly 6 week break in October, I was confident I’ll be able to do the same. I’ll go home, soak in the sun and sand, hang out with friends, spend time with family etc. What I didn’t count on was getting lazy. I stopped thinking about work. A few family medical emergencies and my own flu and later bronchitis squashed any plans I had of working a few hours a week.

Then I made the biggest mistake. I came back and didn’t start working immediately. A week’s recuperating turned into three. Before I knew it, I decided to take it easy till the delivery and then go work part time after the baby came.

I contacted no clients, I didn’t search for work and I barely networked. Before long my unplanned sabbatical became an unwelcome sabbatical. And yet I couldn’t get myself to start work!

I landed an editing job out of the blue a few weeks which I didn’t turn down because it was insanely simple and I was actually interested in the work. As I worked, writing started to come alive again. My old drafts called at me and this neglected blog mocked me till finally, I started writing.

I’m writing again, getting back into freelancing again. If nothing else, this sabbatical has given me the time to think through my plans for the future. How will I handle a baby and work? Do I even want to work or become a full time mom?

The editing job gave me my answer. I’m a writer and will be a mother Insha’Allah. The two can co-exist. In order to make the co-existence harmonious, I’ll now be freelancing part time.

The decision to work part time made me realize that I no longer need to take projects that don’t hold my interest. I can pick and choose my work so that the time away from my child doesn’t feel like a time suck. I can pursue my own freelancing plans that kept being pushed back in favor of client work.

Best of all, I can have it all.

Image Credit: nsaplayer