Don't Work In Your Pajamas
312 words | Last Updated: March 11, 2008 |
A lot of us have, at one time or another, thought about the "Internet Dream." You know, work anywhere you want, wear anything you want, and just wait for the cash to come rolling in (thanks to the internet).
For the next 21 days, however, try this: don't work in your pajamas.
1. Work in office clothes. There's a reason why some organizations have a corporate dress code. Somehow, even when you're alone in your cubicle, the clothes you wear have an effect on the way you work.
See you how feel and act in the morning, when your clothes are clean and neatly pressed. Then compare this with how your work in the afternoon, after you have some spaghetti sauce on your tie or shirt.
2. Sleep in your pajamas. If you get used to working in your pajamas, you'll have a harder time falling asleep at night. Your brain will be constantly whirring, clicking, and twirling different ideas. You'll end up saying "I just have to try this..." and that will pull you away from your much needed sleep.
3. Take a bath. If you work in your pajamas, you'll probably skip breakfast. The hundreds of emails you need to reply to, or to simply read, will quickly move the hands of your clock. Before you know it, it will be lunchtime, late afternoon, then dinnertime.
By taking a bath, you'll break (momentarily) the hold the internet has over you and your web surfing spree.
So please avoid the urge to work in your pajamas. If you no longer have a dayjob, then treat your online internet business as a corporate environment of sorts. Wake up early, have a good breakfast, shower, and put on your business clothes.
What have you got to lose? Just try it for a couple of weeks. And watch your productivity soar.
"Don't Work In Your Pajamas"
First Posted: March 11, 2008 | Filed in: General
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Great post! Many webmasters forget how important it is to distinguish between personal life and work. Even if you work from home you should have a daily routine that keeps you on task. One thing that I find helpful that isn't mentioned here is when you feel like you're thinking process has gone fuzzy and you swear to yourself that you need ADD medication, try going out and getting a little excercise. I don't mean walking to go get the mail or taking the dog out, but get out and run for a few minutes, get your heart pumping, work up a sweat. Maybe hit the weights, anything that will get your blood circulating rapidly will work.
I find that when I exercise when I'm feeling groggy from sitting in front of a computer all day, that it takes this feeling completely away and I actually get about twice as much done as I would have. It's all mental after all!
Thanks for the productivity and creativity-boosting tip, Byron!