For the record, I do enjoy the freedom that working at home gives me and constantly give thanks for it. But I find I cannot focus ‘professionally’ without being showered and dressed and out of my night attire.
I guess getting changed before going into the office helps clear the cobwebs from my night’s sleep and wakes me up properly. The routine gets me into the mindset that ‘I’m going to work’. I know that some home-based operators have and do work in their robes - I just can’t, it’s not me.
I can’t say I dress up - I’m usually in jeans - but at least I feel I could meet someone at the door if they came unexpectedly, and I can rush out at a moment’s notice if an urgent phone call came, from a family member say. Or, if a client wanted a quick meeting I could don a jacket as jacket and jeans appear to be quite acceptable these days.
I am aware that some companies have a ‘casual clothes Friday’ as both my husband and one of my daughters have this at their places of work.
I’m told that some years ago a study was conducted on the effect that this day had on the performance level of staff in a law firm. It was found that the amount of income generated dropped significantly on a Friday and it was attributed to the casual work attitude that came with the donning of casual clothes! The firm decided to revise their ‘casual clothes Friday’ policy which isn’t surprising.
Personally, working in my bathrobe doesn’t work for me; but that’s not to say that it doesn’t work for others. I perform and focus better when I am dressed properly. A pair of jeans or trackies are usually fine and I can always change into business pants or put on a jacket if a client is coming. However, that is quite rare as most of my client contact is via email and phone which means they can’t see me from the other end!
“ I find I cannot focus ‘professionally’ without being showered and dressed and out of my night attire. ”
Kathie M. Thomas is the founder of A Clayton's Secretary, a Virtual Assistant Network with members in many countries. Dedicated to teaching others about business on the web, she is a multiple award winner, with 30 years' experience in her field.
