the work-from-home makeover

Fess up. You’re wearing baggy purple sweats and an ancient t-shirt right now.

No?

Then you’re not working at home.

Once upon a time, I was a high-powered software marketing executive with a closet full of suits to match.  Then I traded in the VP title and corner office for something more appealing – an opportunity to build my own technology marketing business.  Today when I look up from my desk, I can see my peaceful backyard.  Look another direction, the view’s a sink of dirty dishes.  I love my new business, I love my new life - but that doesn’t keep me from being surprised by some of the adjustments I’m in the process of making.

For example, a few weeks ago I caught myself standing in line at the bank wearing the t-shirt I had slept in, baggy jeans and hey-it's-not-snowing-yet flip flops.  Not being forced to dress for work seems to have resulted in some really alarming slippage in my basic personal grooming standards.

I am an adult.  I do own suits.  Occasionally I even have the opportunity to pull one out for a business trip.  But most of my work is remote and – as often noted by others – no one knows you are wearing pink bunny slippers when you are on a conference call.  (Note to self:  Never, ever get on Skype or that particular cat will be out of the bag for good.  Note to everyone else:  Actually the slippers in question are fuzzy leopard print.  I was never the pink, cuddly and long-eared type.)

Anyway, I’ve started a list of Reasons Why I Should Not Be Allowed to Work from Home – and I thought I would share it for the amusement of all the other folks in similar situations (not to mention all the folks who know me in an office setting and really can’t imagine me in bunny, leopard or any other form of whimsical animal footwear).

So, here’s Reason #1:  Why get dressed?

It is a universal work-from-home question.  And you’d be surprised at what the average shopper can be found wearing at 10:00 am on a weekday morning in Wal-Mart.  Let’s just say that somebody’s raking it in when it comes to suitable-for-every-occasion drawstring pajama bottoms. 

Those morning shopping breaks do give me hope that I haven’t actually hit bottom on the personal grooming front.  After all, I did brush my teeth this morning.  And just because I wrote this post in my pajamas doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten the difference between indoor and outdoor pants.  Now where did I put those purple sweats…