No one likes it when their job makes them wear a uniform. However, having some physical reminders that it’s time to get to work — whether it’s certain clothes, a productivity playlist, or even a dedicated desk — can help get you in the right mindset to get busy.
As tips blog ManMade DIY points out, you don’t have to wear an actual uniform in order to gain the productivity boost they give. Anything about your surroundings that you associate with work can help. The point isn’t to put you in the same clothes as everyone else and force creativity out of your system. It’s to help distinguish between play time and productivity time:
You’ve probably heard stories of authors who like to eat the same thing everyday for lunch or an artist that can only paint when listening to a specific kind of music. These “quirks” are a person’s uniform; they helps them get into the working mindset. If you find that you can’t seem to focus on a project as long as you’d like because of non-work distractions, try on a uniform of some sort. Maybe your uniform is a favourite song, a pair of reading glasses or a well-used pair of work pants. For me, it’s my work apron, I don’t always need it but it kicks my brain in gear to get stuff done. Plus, there’s no pockets for a distracting phone in my apron!
Your work uniform can be whatever you want it to be, so long as it gets you into the mindset to work. For some, it may be video game music. For others it may be as simple as putting on a tie or some work shoes. Whatever you associate with getting stuff done, use that as your “uniform.” And, most importantly, take your uniform off when you’re done working. If you use the same uniform for work and play, it won’t retain as much of its meaning.
5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Inner DIYer [ManMade DIY]
Comments
3 responses to “Give Yourself A Work ‘Uniform’ To Be More Productive”
Speak for yourself :P. I love my work-provided polo shirt – it means I don’t have to waste time and energy thinking about what I’m going to wear every morning.
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I have nagged and nagged for my work to let me wear a uniform.