“Dress for success.” “Dress for the job you wish you had.” Easier said than done when you barely have time to find a matching pair of socks. Maintaining a sense of style isn’t impossible, though. You’re on the cutting edge of technology, here are some tips to keep you from becoming a fashion luddite:
- Travel light. It’s hard to look hip when you look like a pack mule. Whether you’re jetting across the world for a business trip, trekking across town to your office, or just meandering down the street to a coffee shop, find a way to minimize the amount of stuff you lug with you. Instead of printing twenty documents for your meeting, upload your files to a free hosting site, such as Diino or Google Docs. Use a web-based calendar system and address book rather than packing a bulky paper planner. Invest in a wireless handheld device to give you access to email and the web for quick jaunts and leave your laptop at home.
- Choose quality over quantity. Especially when it comes to accessories. One versatile, high-quality bag will last for years and pull together your outfit. A good pair of classic yet stylish shoes are better for your feet and give you a polished look. Opt for a simple watch or minimalist jewelry rather than wearing excessive amount s of gaudy costume pieces.
- Stay true to you. Don’t try to be something you’re not. Even if you’re not a fashionista, you don’t have to be boring. There are hundreds of opinions on how to be stylish, but if you’re not comfortable or you feel like an imposter, it’ll show. Go with what you like. Decorate your workspace according to your own tastes. Minimalist is usually best, both for efficiency and style, but adding items that are decisively “you” will add some flair—without the fuss.
Now get out there and work it!
We often hear, “get it right the first time.” In today’s age of conflicting obligations and overflowing inboxes, the best advice for achieving a healthy work-life balance is to get it wrong the first time. Or at least to not worry about getting it perfect.
Creating a work-life balance is especially important for those who work from home. If you’ve created set working hours, it can be hard to stick with them when you know you don’t have to battle rush hour to get home.
But there are times when working late is inevitable, regardless of where your office may be. Have a proposal to research, write, and send out an hour before you hoped to punch out? Pretend you only have an hour and just get it done. Start to finish. After the hour is up you’ll have a finished product of some sort and you can weigh the value of improving your work or leaving well enough alone.
Even if you know in advance that this project takes precedence over anything else and overtime is inevitable, forcing yourself to throw together a rough version in an hour can provide substantial benefits. The process proves to be immensely helpful in getting your creative juices flowing. Focusing on the project as a whole gives you a better sense of the components that will take the most time. And finally, finishing a project, even poorly, provides the momentum that you need to power you into the wee hours of the night (that and a four-pack of Red Bull, of course!).
