What (not) to wear to work

Inevitably, the first thing coworkers state when they remember I am working from home is "You must be in your pajamas right now." No. I am not in my pajamas. This is work!

That is my single rule about how to dress for work when at home. PJ's are NEVER acceptable.

Why not? Everyone needs a certain shift to move from their "at home" mentality to being "at work". For those going into the office, this is an easy transition because they get up, get dressed, and drive somewhere. But for those staying home, it can be harder to make that transition. But this isn't a snow day, or a sick day, or vacation, or the weekend - it is a work day. A work day requires you to get dressed for work.

So what do you wear to work then?

Some people will wear the exact same clothes that they would if they were heading into the traditional office. This helps them prepare through keeping their routine and makes it feel more like work. This is also helpful if you are on professional video conferences throughout the day, or may have to go into the office or elsewhere to meet coworkers.

Some people will go slightly more casual, especially if their workplace is formal. Jeans, t-shirt, etc. To some, that's usual work dress anything.

Personally, I'm in workout clothes 90% of the time. I work out before work, and try to after work. And I like to be able to take my dogs for a walk during lunch or get in some other activity. I couldn't get away with it in the office, but it's part of my "at home" package and I take full advantage.

I believe there are only a few rules for how you should dress when working from home:

1. Comply with your company rules, your role, etc.
2. Never wear anything offensive - you never know when you will be on camera. Don't let casual dress get you fired.
3. NEVER, ever, wear pajamas

Work away from home

Most of us 'at home' workers have a luxury we very often forget - We are not actually tethered to our workspace! For most, we are lucky enough to have laptops or virtual machines that allow our work to be portable. We also have IP phones or cell phones that also enable our calls to be from anywhere. And yet, here we are with our imaginary ball and chain: the home desk.

Working at home can become tiring after a while. Same routine, day after day, no unique interactions and nothing to break up the day. It can cause cabin fever. But that's a prison we built for ourselves and a sentence we can break free from.

If you have the luxury of mobile technology, then you should experiment with being mobile. Take full advantage of your situation.

Do you enjoy a good mocha-cappa-latte-whatever? Why not work from Starbuck's on their wi-fi once a week! You can get your high priced coffee fix while getting out of the house. This break in routine can be just what the doctor ordered to keep your at-home situation fresh.

Is it the first day above freezing and the sun is out? Try working outside from your porch, or even just from another room that takes in all of the sunshine. Sunshine is a surefire cure for cabin fever. It will warm up your disposition and your routine. On those truly awesome days, find some work you can do offline and go work from the park. Being out in the world makes us feel like we're part of something bigger and not isolated hermits in our homes.

Is there something out of town you are passionate about? Did anyone say HOCKEY? We often don't take part in the events we have to travel for because we need to take time off to do so. But if you can work from anywhere, you can travel in the evening, work during the day, and go play that night. Get up and work the next day and then come home. You didn't lose a minute of vaca, you did something you really enjoy, and you got out of the house.

Think about the possibilities... As long as you can stay connected and focus on your work appropriately, location has become a matter of little consequence. You're limited only by your willingness to get out and the wi-fi at your destination.

It is very important though that your employer supports this cause. Some are old school and won't. Their loss, because eventually they will lose you. Be sure that you candidly discuss the options first and get support. And be sure that you have the connectivity you need - cell service, download speeds, enough quiet to still focus. It's not an excuse to not work. You should work even more, frankly. And lastly, be willing and able to offer up PTO time if it doesn't work out and you have to abandon work.

So what are you waiting for? Get out of the house!

Make the most of your office visit

Those dreaded words no work-at-home employee wants to hear: "We need you to come to the office for (this)."

Sends chills up your spine, doesn't it? Then your mind starts whirling around... I have to get up earlier? Do I still have any work pants that fit? Do I have gas in my car? What will I do with the dogs while I'm gone? And so on.

Let's face it. We're all going to hear it at some point. If you live close to work, you may hear it more often. If you live far away, it may not be as often, but tends to be a bigger ordeal to orchestrate. At some time, something will come up where your hands are tied and you have to go. After you complete the stages of grieving over the loss of your home for the day, you end up in Acceptance. And then what?

When you have finally come to terms with it, now you need to take advantage of it. If you had to leave your comfort zone, make sure you cash in. Make it worth your while. Don't come back home with any regrets or missed opportunities.

Here are some tips when planning your in-office visit:

• Don't book your day full of meetings. Leave as much of your time booked for impromptu conversations. Chances are that there are a large number of people that want to see you and you want to give them that chance. Staying locked away closes the door (literally) on those run-ins.
• Attend meetings in person. Take the room option, and if there isn't one, ask to make an exception this time. People will be so glad to see you that they won't mind the trouble of the conference room booking system.
• Let people know you are coming in. Share where you will be, what hours you have free, etc. Send an email or tell them on other meetings in advance so they can clear up some time to visit with you. Don't leave anyone telling you "I wish I would have known..."
• Schedule some social time. Arrive early, stay late, go out to lunch. Get in those casual meetings that are only slightly about work but help build lasting bonds.
• If you are traveling from further away, book an extra day or two to ensure you have time for all of your networking.
• Also if traveling, schedule something bigger with folks after work such as dinner or going to a local sporting event. Make every minute of your trip count.
• Reach out to someone you normally wouldn't. Expand your horizons. Build a bigger network.
• Don't complain about having to be in the office. No one wants to hear you whine. They are excited you are in, so don't belittle that with your bellyaching. 
• Don't forget the office rules. Double check on dress code, weather, traffic, meeting locations, and all the prep stuff so that your time in the office is focused on the interactions and not the distractions.
• Be present. Be available. Be social. Just be.
• Smile :-)

Walk Away

Everyone talks about a work/life balance. That's not new. But when you work at home, work is life and life is work. Where does one stop and the other start?

People will say that work from home is more productive because people work longer hours. Well, they do. But that's not why it is, or should be, more productive. Just like your office counterpart, you need a break. Burning the work candle at both ends only does one thing - it burns you out.

That's why it is even more important, when working from home, to define boundaries and walk away. There has to be a division for you to be off the clock.

Below are some tips to help build the barrier between work and non-work. Even if you didn't do some of these while you were an office dweller, you need to start now. Your non-work life depends on it.

• Define a space for work that you can walk away from. This should not be your kitchen table, your bed, your sofa, or anywhere else you'd find yourself regularly visiting when you're off the clock.
• Take your lunch break. Use it to do a load of laundry, walk the dog, actually eat something healthy (for a change), work out, run an errand, etc. The point is to take a break from work. This should be a minimum of 30 minutes to allow your brain time to regroup.
• Define your office hours. They may be slightly longer than a traditional 8-5 because you can afford it, but set them and stand by them. When the quitting time bell rings, Fred Flintstone your way out of the office and never look back.
• Resist the temptation to check back in. Unless there is a special occasion, don't run back to your office to check on work just because you can. Use that time for something else. Read a really awesome Leading from Afar blog if you can't find anything else to do.
• Unplug entirely. For at least a few minutes, after you log off for the day, go acoustic. No computer, tablet, phone, TV, radio, or whatever your vice. Just chill, disconnected for a few minutes, to let your entire body move on from work.
• Keep your work and non-work technologies separate. If you use the same devices for both, it's easy and tempting while playing Candy Crush or updating Facebook to do some work too. Remove the temptation all together. 

Work at home has given you the gift of time and money. It's a shame to let it all go to waste because you never stop working. 

Send Cards

When I used to work in a traditional office building, I kept a set of various cards at my desk. If an occasion popped up, I was prepared. And if I didn't have the right card, there was a lobby shop in the building to pick one up for emergencies. It was super easy to leave a card on someone's desk, or use interoffice mail at worst case, to let them know I was thinking about them.

I enjoyed giving cards in the office because it builds engagement. People like to know that you remember them, you think about them, and that you took time to make them feel special. It's an easy gesture that pays big dividends.

Now that I'm at home, I can't just drop off a card at someone's desk. Some of my own staff aren't even in the same city. The logistics have changed. But that doesn't mean the sentiment has to.

The only difference between then and now is preparation, and maybe a few extra pennies. I still have a stash of cards on hand. However, I have to pay attention to upcoming events that I can foresee and drop the cards in the mail. I have to have stamps, I have to have home addresses, and I have to have a head's up. But with those things, I can still accomplish the same.

Actually, I accomplish more. People know it takes more effort to mail. It's no longer something I can run to my office last minute and do. They know I thought even more about them.

The real trick to getting the most value from sending cards is in the message. I never just sent a card. I ALWAYS hand write a personal note. I include messages of thanks for the work they are doing, positive outlooks for the future, and personal sentiments. Handwriting the card shows it came from me, not on assistant or something I copied from the internet. When I screw up a word, it shows I'm human. The personal note is genuine and real.

The following is a direct quote from an associate after receiving her birthday card:
Thank you so much for my birthday card. Seriously it was the absolute cutest birthday card I got this year. Maybe even ever. J It was an unexpected surprise & really made a difference in my day. J I don’t think a boss has ever sent me a card on my birthday & its little stuff like that make me so happy to be a part of this team & its why your team engagement scores are so high. You do a great job as an encourager & leader. J

See how much engagement credit I just scored? It cost me less than $2.00 for the card and stamp, and 5 minutes of time to write a personal message. The return on investment here is huge.

Welcome!

Happy 2015!

My name is Cortney Hoese and I am an IT Manager for a Fortune 100 company. What's unique about that? Maybe not much.

However, I lead my team from my home. I've been working full time from the comfort of my home office for 1.5 years (and part-time for about another year prior), and the majority of my team is remote as well.

The industry is moving this way. Moving to be "location independent". Yet, many other firms (yes, you, Yahoo!) have moved in the opposite direction.

How do you succeed when you work remote? How do you lead a remote team? My goal with this blog is to help you answer these questions based on my real-world experience.

Work at home is not for everyone. But it can be for more people if you know what you are getting into and are willing to put in some extra effort. I hope this blog offers you some tips to make your adventure successful.