by Natalie Morey | Aug 4, 2016 | Home Office, Home Organisation, Tips
Being organised is the start of achieving work like balance. So too is commitment, focus and dedication in achieving work life balance. These 8 tips to create work life balance are aimed at helping you to create work life balance. It’s definitely not easy and the wheels are going to fall off every so often, and that’s fine. What’s important is that you stay committed to the goal of work life balance.
8 tips to create work life balance
- Sync your calendars. Consolidate all your personal and work commitments into the same calendar. That way you won’t forget anything and I find it makes me work more efficiently during the work day if they are all stored in the same spot.
- Block out your time. Block out “fun” time in your diary. Get tough and make this “not negotiable”. Don’t let work take over and therefor you miss out on social activities.
- Plan, plan and plan. The key to work life balance is all about planning. Sit down at the start of each month and update your calendar, making sure you have scheduled in all the tasks you need to do and some fun stuff too. Obviously this will keep evolving over the coming month and you will keep adding to it.
- Record key birthdays in your calendar. Put all the key birthdays in your outlook calendar and set them up as repeating events. That way they will show up every year. You will know when you need to be taking time off work to spend with loved ones.
- Start small. Try adding even the tiniest tasks to your daily to do list. Then, when you cross them off the list, you already feel a sense of accomplishment and gain the momentum you need to tackle the bigger more daunting tasks.
- Work out. Did you know that fitness is the driving force that keeps people energised, focused and motivated? Take the time you deserve to do a little bit of exercise every day. Even if that’s 30 minutes at once or 10 minutes at a time throughout the day. Don’t have 10 minutes. Then what about 7 minutes? Have you heard of the 7 Minute Workout? It’s a free daily fitness routine found on the App Store.
- Learn to say no. “Sometimes work-life balance means saying “no”, politely of course. When an opportunity, activity or request comes up that doesn’t fit into your schedule, or is going to put you under too much pressure, sometimes you’ve just have to say no.
- Prepare for the day ahead. Before going to bed, pack up anything you need for the next morning including clothes and a health lunch. Being prepared will help you get out the door quickly. Plus, you can relax going to bed knowing that you are all organised for the day ahead.
If you are struggling to achieve work life balance in your life, then perhaps you need some expert help. The Lifestylers Group is a personal concierge service that can do many of your daily tasks. Our goal is for you to have more free time to do the things you want to do, not have to do!
by Natalie Morey | Jul 13, 2016 | Declutter tips, Home Office, Home Organisation, Tips
I’m a big fan of storage solutions that not only help to keep your belongings organised, but have a dual purpose and look good too. I recently did a home office organising job and we used a gorgeous white leather ottoman in the office to store files. It looked great, was functional and ensured that there was no loose papers and files lying around the newly decluttered and organised office.
So I thought I would put together 6 stylish storage ottomans which can be used for storing things like spare blankets and cushions in.
Ikea Storage Ottoman
This storage ottoman works just as well in the living room, hallway or bedroom. It has storage space under the seat. Plus, the cover is easy to keep clean as it is removable and can be machine washed. It’s both a stylish and practical bench that gives a warm, cosy feeling.
http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/S29129333/
Cost: $399
When style matters – Linen fabric storage ottoman
Linen Ottoman Storage
Modern and practical, this Life Linen Fabric Storage Ottoman is the perfect designer furniture piece for any bedroom, study room or home living decor. Not only great as a foot stool, it also offers generous storage space to store any unused items and declutter the room.
http://www.templeandwebster.com.au/i.Life-Ottoman-Storage-Foot-Stool-ILIF2780.html
Cost $125.00
After a deep chocolate brown look?
Chocolate Ottoman Storage
Then look no further. Offering more than meets the eye, the Jeremy Storage Ottoman from Resort Living provides stylish seating for your space while creating hidden storage for household items. The lift-up lid provides generous storage space for household linens and cushions.
https://www.zanui.com.au/Jeremy-Storage-Ottoman-108885.html
Cost: $109.95
When style matters
Plush Ottoman Storage
Refresh your home with a beautiful ottoman from the Plush range. They add instant colour, style and storage with the Roller Storage Ottoman. This one is available in a wide range of decorator fabrics too, so it will match any decor.
https://www.plush.com.au/roller-storage
POA.
Is vintage more your look?
Vintage Ottoman Storage
Add some vintage charm to your décor with this faux leather and brass Owen Storage Trunk. It looks great, is upholstered in linen fabric, providing exceptional softness and durability. It’s a stylish form of storage that can hold anything from linens to shoes to books. This size is perfect for the living room, bedroom or reading nook.
https://www.zanui.com.au/Owen-Storage-Trunk-Large-132515.html
Cost: $699
Space for more than just your feet
Ikea storage ottoman
As well as that extra put-your-feet-up comfort, they make great seats for guests, too. Plus, you can put things like magazines and toys in them. But best of all, with this one they have a range of coordinated covers which makes it easy for you to give your furniture a new look. The covers are easy to keep them clean as they can be removable and machine washed.
http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/20926/
Cost: $249
by Natalie Morey | Jul 6, 2016 | Declutter tips, Home Organisation, Tips
Decluttering doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, decluttering can be made really simply. Below is a list of common items found in most homes that we don’t need. So, set some time aside and start your declutter. You may even like to declutter one of these items each day. It won’t take long and best of all, by doing this it will help clear the clutter in your home.
- Hangers from the drycleaners
- Plastic shopping bags
- Old makeup you haven’t worn in ages
- Shoes that aren’t comfortable
- Clothes that are stained
- Old electrical appliances
- Cables from electrical items you no longer use
- Warranty manuals written in foreign languages
- Cookbooks you never use
- Complicated recipes you will never cook
- Books you will never re-read
- Bad photos
- Junk mail
- Old newspapers
- Out of date medicine
Once you have done your declutter you then need to make sure you deal with the items. Some drycleaners will reuse the hangers. So put them in your car and drop them off next time you are out. You might be able to drop off your old cookbooks at a local charity. Again, put them in your car, ready to be dropped off. The rest of the items will probably just go straight into the rubbish bin. Just don’t get into the habit of leaving the items at the front door ready to take out next time you go. Somehow they always seem to make their way back into the house (I have seen this happen all the time with clients).
If you complete this list of 15 things to declutter now, you are on the way to having a clutter free home.
Your clutter is our business. The Lifestylers Group is a professional organising service that specialises in decluttering and organising homes (bedrooms, kids bedrooms, kitchens, pantry’s, offices and garages) and life’s in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
by Natalie Morey | Jun 16, 2016 | Declutter tips, Home Office, Home Organisation, Office Organising, Personal concierge, Tips
The end of financial year is the perfect time to get motivated and get your office paperwork organised in 4 steps.
Organised home office
Step 1 – Set up a filing system
I recommend at the beginning of each financial year to set up your filing system. It could be as simple as a box. I like to use a 2 ring binder with labeled dividers for each category. Don’t forget to label your storage system or file with the relevant financial year i.e. 2016 – 2017.
Step 2 – Divide your paperwork into categories
The first step in keeping your bills and paperwork organised is to categorise the types of paperwork you have. For example, you might like to use some of the following categories: Bank accounts, including credit cards, Superannuation, Rental property, Share statements, Tax, School, Utilities, Car Expenses and Medical. Once you have set up these categories you can file accordingly. You don’t need to have lots of categories either. Just keep it simple and it will be much quicker and easier to use.
Step 3 – Go paperless
A great way to reduce clutter and papers in your office is to go paperless. It’s easy to set up to. You simply contact your bank and other companies such as your utility providers and ask them to email you your bills. Then, you can save the documents on your computer. However, just like having a hard copy filing system, you need to set up a filing structure and system on your computer. You might have a main folder called: 2016_2107 Fin Year (for the relevant financial year) then create a range of subcategories as mentioned above. If you don’t set up subcategories, then just like piles of paper sitting on your desk, it becomes messy and you can waste time looking for documents. Going paperless will definitely help reduce the paper and clutter in your office. However, it’s essential that you regularly back up your computer because if it was damaged, lost or stolen then there goes all your paperwork which you will need for your tax.
Step 4 – File it
A filing system is only good if you use it. Get into the habit of filing your bills once they have been paid. You might like to set up a system where you file all your paid bills on the last day of every month, or perhaps every Sunday night. Whatever it is, just ensure that you set some time aside and file all your paperwork. That way, when next year’s tax time comes around, you will be all organised for your accountant. Or, if you are doing your own tax, then you will have all the information you need organised in one place.
Office paperwork organised in 4 steps
It’s not long now till the end of financial year, so get motivated, set some time aside and organise your office. If you need help getting your home, life or office organised, then contact us. Based in Melbourne and assisting clients in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, The Lifestylers Group provides professional organising, decluttering and office organising (for both the home office and small business).
by Natalie Morey | Jun 8, 2016 | Declutter tips, Home Office, Home Organisation, Office Organising, Tips
This month it’s all about gorgeous home office storage ideas and looks. Forget drab and go for some of these fab storage ideas and products for your home office. In no time you will have a super stylish and functional office space that will actually inspire you to want to spend time in there. Then, there will be no excuse to get all your paper work sorted for the tax man.
Home office organising and storage – Image credit: Officeworks
A light, bright and white home office
This white trestle desk is definitely the statement piece in this minimalist workspace. Achieve the look with this customisable trestle desktop and legs for less than $100. Love it all? All the furniture, the lamp, and the photo frame packs come in at $658 from Officeworks.
The perfectly organised home office -Image credit: Office Works
A bold home office space
A black workspace is a bold move, but it definitely sets a get-it-done attitude. The floor lamps will bring much needed brightness to this space and are a great affordable alternative to pendant lights, which require installation by a qualified electrician. Opting for wood-look furniture will not only add light and warmth, but will keep your budget in check.
Using these picks, you could create the look for $385 – which includes two each of the light oak magazine files and vintage document boxes.
Classic white home office – Image credit: Kikki-k
Go for the classic uncluttered look
As a professional organiser, I just love this look from Kikki-k. Its uncluttered and functional. You could also easily add a single draw filing cabinet under the desk to give you some more storage space if required. You could also add some pops of colour by changing the colour of the storage product that’s sitting on the desk.
Home office storage
Gorgeous home office storage ideas
Check out these storage ideas from Kikki-k. They will help keep your desk uncluttered and organised and they look great too.
Based in Melbourne and assisting clients in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, The Lifestylers Group is a professional organising service that helps people organise there homes, home offices and lives. With over 10 years experience, we have seen it all before. We have lots of practical tips and advise that we share with our clients to organise there office or home office.
by Natalie Morey | May 25, 2016 | Home Organisation, Personal concierge, Tips
Are you always busy and always playing catch up? Do you wish that you could be more organised? Is there never enough hours in the day, to get everything done?
Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours every day. You cannot change that, but what you can change is how you use your time throughout the day.
Tips To Stop the Busyness and Get You Organised
Here’s a few tips to help get you organised and “get the most” out of your day.
- Use Sunday morning to prepare for the week ahead and map out a weekly plan listing everything that is happening. Kid’s activities, personal appointments and important dates should all be included on your list. Include a meal plan for the week noting down what’s for dinner every night. It is so much easier when you get to Thursday and you know exactly what you’re having for dinner.
- Write a list the night before you go to bed or leave work and include everything you need to do the next day. Then prioritise that list with the most important things at the top of the list.
- Don’t become overwhelmed by what you have to do. One of the fastest ways to overwhelm yourself is to think about your massive to-do list. Realise that no amount of thought will make it any shorter. Just start working your way through it.
- Complete the most important tasks first. It’s a great feeling when you can tick off a few tasks from your to do list.
- Learn to say “no”. Sometimes we just take on too much and you need to say “no”. Try it, you might be surprised at the impact it can have on your day.
- Sleep at least 7-8 hours every night. Some people think sacrificing sleep is a good way to increase productivity and get a couple of extra hours out of the day. However, this is not the case as most people need 7-8 hours of sleep for their bodies and minds to function optimally. You know if you’re getting enough. Listen to your body, and don’t underestimate the value of having enough sleep to ensure you have a productive day.
- Devote your entire focus to the task at hand (or what’s on your list). There is lots of research out there now to indicate that multi-tasking may not be as efficient as we all first though.
- Work smarter not harder. The old adage, “work smarter, not harder” is so true. Sometimes though, we are so busy on the merry go round of life that we simply don’t have time to stop and think about what we are doing, or if it can be done better. Managing your time isn’t about squeezing as many tasks into your day as possible. It’s about simplifying how you work, doing things faster and relieving stress.
- Ask yourself, can I outsource any of the tasks on my to do list? Would getting a cleaner free up a few extra hours that I could spend with my family or friends. Do I spend way too much time trying to “find” stuff in my wardrobe or home office? Do I need to get some systems and procedures in my life or home? Perhaps a session with a professional organiser might help to get your organised. Working smarter is about clearing away space in your life to make time for people, play, and rest. I promise you — there really are enough hours in a day for everything you’d like to do, but it may take a bit of rearranging to find them.
The Lifestylers Group offers a personal concierge and professional organising service in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.
