racoma.netI love to write. I write to live. I live to love.

Writers have quirks. It’s a fact of life. In fact, I can say that everyone has quirks. One way or another, you have certain habits, lifestyle choices, or even simple mannerisms that set you apart from everyone else. When you work in a supposedly creative setting, you want everything to be in place so you can think and do your thing.

A lot of freelancers, online workers and telecommuters work in their pajamas. After all, why bother to dress up? No one’s going to see you, anyway. You’ve probably just risen out of bed, made coffee, and checked your email inbox. Why not start working on that article, website layout or client call, while you’re at it?

The problem with working in your pajamas is that it might not necessarily get you in a mood to be productive. Some people might feel less professional if they are not in decent attire. You’re talking to clients. Won’t it help if you at least feel good? Won’t you feel confident if you’ve at least showered?

Still, some people might prefer to have the freedom of working in their PJs. There’s no harm in that. But here are a few things you can do to become better at it.

Clean up. Working in your boxers or nighties doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go to your computer straight from bed, complete with disheveled hair and drool running down your cheek. At least get cleaned up. Wash your face and brush your teeth. If you have time, take a shower first. Go to work clean and fresh.

Get everything else out of the way. It’s nice to work in a situation in which you have no boss to hound you or colleagues to peer over your shoulder every five minutes. But there might be other distractions that you’d like to attend to first, so you can focus on your work. Brew that coffee now. Start that laundry cycle now. Make your bed now. If you put it off until later, you will end up having some nagging feeling that you meant to do something, and this could distract you from work every few minutes or so.

Wear your best PJs. Sure, you can go to work in your PJs. But have you seen Hugh Hefner photographed in a threadbare robe? Threadbare clothes can sometimes be comfortable as sleepwear. But if you’re spending your workday in your PJs, then get yourself some good PJs. You’ll be able to work better if you feel more decent.

Of course, “working in your PJs” does not necessarily mean literally wearing pajamas. Any sort of comfortable clothing will do. Some actually work in their underwear and probably earn more than the rest of us do! More conservative persons would probably be comfy in a tracksuit or a T-shirt and shorts.

Working in your PJs doesn’t mean you have to be less productive than a suit-and-tie person. You’re being practical, and you’re enjoying the flexibility that working online affords you. Still, you will need to make some preparations, so you will be productive while you work.