You know, it’s funny. When most people find out that I work out of my home, one of the first things they usually say is, “It must be so nice to be able to work in your pajamas!” And, unlike that list of freelancing misconceptions I’ve talked about before, this statement is actually pretty true.

I tend to work in my pajamas (or, at least yoga pants) pretty frequently—especially in the mornings. Hey, I’m just not a morning person. And, while I do need to put on real clothes occasionally to head to a meeting, I’m a firm believer that you can be pretty darn productive while in your pajamas.

Don’t believe me? Well, hold up, you doubters. I’ve pulled together 10 productive things you can do to advance your career, business, or blog—all while in your pajamas!

10 PRODUCTIVE THINGS YOU CAN DO IN YOUR PJ’S

1. POLISH UP YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE

If you’re one of those people who has a LinkedIn profile but never really utilizes it, you’re missing out on a great opportunity. So, while you’re camped out on your couch watching Top Chef reruns, take some time to knock the dust off and bring your profile up to date. Enter any new skills or accomplishments, beef up your personal description, improve your headline, and even add a new photo. You might be surprised at the new profile views you’ll get!
RELATED: Using LinkedIn as a Freelancer + Biz Owner

2. SEND HANDWRITTEN CARDS TO A FEW OF YOUR CONTACTS

I’m beginning to think that we only ever receive negative stuff in the mail now. Bills, bills, and more bills. And, sure, you can network via email or LinkedIn. But, sometimes nothing can top a nice, handwritten note. Call me old school, but I think it’s a super effective way to touch base with your professional contacts. Whip out some of those cute note cards and jot down a few nice notes to some people in your network!

3. SET SOME GOALS

We all know that I’m a big believer in the power of goal setting. And, I’ve been loving working on my schedule/goals Trello board in my spare time. So, cozy up in your PJ’s and map out some of your personal and professional goals. That way you have a record of the big-picture things you’re working towards!
RELATED: The Importance of Setting Goals Personally + Professionally

4. POST THOUGHTFUL RESPONSES ON YOUR BLOG AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Whether you’re trying to grow your blog or your business, online engagement is important. But, it’s also one of those things that can easily fall by the wayside as your to-do list fills up. Take some time to respond to comments on your blog, or share some inspiring articles, posts, or photos on your social accounts. It’s fun—and a surefire way to continue growing your network!

5. READ A THOUGHT-PROVOKING BOOK

Yes, reading is a great way to unwind. But, it’s also an awesome opportunity to learn new things and gain a new perspective. Grab a mug of tea and dig into a great book. What sorts of helpful books do I like? Well, I love reading about anything that has to do with SEO or growing a business. They’re skills I can put to work in my everyday life.
RELATED: What I Want to Read in 2015

6. MAKE SOME TWEAKS TO YOUR WEBSITE OR PORTFOLIO

As a blogger or business owner, you already know that websites require pretty much constant maintenance. So, if it’s been a while since you’ve made a few tweaks, take some time to work on a few minor adjustments. It’ll bring your site up to date, as well as freshen up its look!
RELATED: 6 Things to Include on Your Biz Website or Portfolio

7. IMPROVE YOUR RESUME

Even if you aren’t planning on sending your career documents out into the world anytime soon, it’s still important to ensure that your resume is always in tip-top shape. You never know what sorts of opportunities might fall into your lap. Open up that neglected file and polish it up. That way, it’ll be ready to go when you need it!

8. SET UP AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

Informational interviews are great for meeting new people and learning new things. So, if you’ve been Internet stalking a professional in your area for a while, why not send them a polite introductory email asking if you could meet for coffee. Be sure to detail a few of the specific things you’re hoping to get out of your get-together, and be prepared to walk away with tons of valuable insight!

9. UPDATE YOUR PLANNER

My planner is essentially my Bible. So, it’s typically pretty well-maintained. But, even I let things slide now and then. Spend some time flipping through your planner and ensuring that all important appointments and deadlines are penciled in. It’s also a great time to cross out any canceled engagements—so you don’t end up showing up somewhere you don’t need to be!

10. PARTICIPATE IN A TWITTER CHAT

I’d love to start participating in more Twitter chats. They’re an awesome way to hear some new ideas and meet new people that share your interests. Do some research to find out about the times of Twitter chats that interest you, and go ahead and join in. You’ll learn something new, and even meet a few new internet pals!

I recently wrote an article similar to this one (9 Ways to Network Without Leaving Your Couch) for The Muse, if you’re interested. It also ended up being picked up by Forbes—I thought that was pretty cool!

I know there are tons of other things I could add to this list. So, what other productive things can you do to grow your blog, business, or career while you’re in the comfort of your PJ’s? Let me know!

Until next time!