When I plan my content for the month, I review calendars. This allows me to pair what I want to write about with holidays and events. It’s a great way to keep my writing fresh and relevant. As I was planning this month, I stumbled upon Working Naked Day. This holiday suggests literally working naked. My suggestion is more figurative.
As you walk into work today, strip off all of the excess layers that are holding you back. Check your negativity, fear, insecurity, and indecision at the door. Commit to working naked if only for today.
Your Worst Enemy
While I can be my biggest advocate, I can also be my worst enemy. I hate to admit it, but I cause the majority of the problems in my life. I’m behind on my work because I’m a perfectionist. My office is a mess because I procrastinate. Disagreements drag on and on because I’m stubborn.
If we drill down and ask why we aren’t achieving our goals, we’ll likely dig up one or two of these words.
Negativity • Fear • Insecurity • Low Self-Worth • Dwelling on the Past • Denial • Avoidance • Indecision • Lack of Self-Control • Laziness • Disorganization • Distraction • Procrastination • Perfectionism • Excuses • Complacency • Short Term Thinking • Entitlement • Not Interconnected • Pride • Selfishness • Judgmental • Envy • Greed • Hopelessness • Anger • Dishonesty • Weak Boundaries • Poor Communication • Risk Averse • Reactive
Don’t be alarmed. This list isn’t meant to shame you. Think of it as a brainstorm of things you can strip off at the door.
“Be melting snow. Wash yourself of yourself.”― Rumi
Easy On – Not So Easy Off
Changing our weaknesses is easier said than done. If it were easy, I wouldn’t be guilty of violating 90 percent of that list. It’s like gaining winter weight. It goes on easy but takes the entire summer to lose.
This is why I love the idea of going to work naked. For only a day, you can choose one thing to take off. If you’ve been struggling with distraction this week, commit to turning it off for one day. You can easily survive an eight-hour workday without the usual distractions of email, Facebook, and office gossip.
Disengaging Distractions
This is a great opportunity to talk about distractions. Did you know that multitasking is worse than smoking marijuana? Every time you check your email while working on a project, your IQ goes down. Not only that, when a task is interrupted, it takes nearly 25 minutes to get back on track.
Those are solid reasons to disengage your distractions. I began this practice a number of years ago after reading The 4-Hour Workweek. I realized that by having my ringer on and email open, I was accomplishing nothing. I wasted entire days responding to other people’s problems. Problems they likely created. (See List Above 🙂 )
Tips for Disengaging Distractions
- Turn off your ringer.
- Flip your cell phone over, screen facing the table.
- Disable phone notifications: email, Facebook, etc.
- Turn off your email application on your computer.
- Log out of all social media accounts.
- Close all tabs that don’t apply to your designated task.
- If you work in an office, close your door with a note explaining your distraction free day.
- If you work in a cubicle, ask to work from home.
If there are other distractions that normally keep you from focusing on your work, find ways to disable them as well.
Getting Comfortable with Nudity
When I was thinking about this topic, I had an epiphany. I go to one of my jobs naked every day and have for many years. In my job as a wife and homemaker, I never worry about failing at laundry, or ruining dinner. I don’t worry about rejection, indecision, or insecurity. In fact, it’s quite opposite. The other night Jer expressed that he preferred that I stop buying whole wheat pasta. My response? Too bad!
It’s interesting to me that I can be so confident and fearless in this job, but not others. When I’m preparing presentations I’m careful to not offend anyone. I make sure that my facts are straight in case I am challenged. Sometimes I question if I have what it takes.
The comfort difference between these jobs is a combination of many factors. What I am certain of is that my confidence as a wife and homemaker was built. I built it by learning and practicing every day.
I imagine we would see the same results if we practiced so sincerely in our professional lives. If we stripped off all of those things that are holding us back. If we had the courage to learn and the confidence to practice our craft freely each day. We could go to work naked and Ignite Change.
As always, I’m going to walk the walk with you. Today I’m stripping off my perfectionism. I invite you to strip down too.
