How Time Blocking My Schedule Increased My Productivity Levels

@socialcut 

In today’s society it seems like everyone is juggling 1,000 tasks at once. While we all have a lot on our plates, it can be hard to stay productive when working non-stop in order to complete tasks, chores achieve our goals & on top of all the, practice self-care. If you’re anything like me & you’re sick of add more bullet points to your never ending to-do list, I really encourage you to consider time block scheduling. 

So, what exactly is it? Time block schedule is when you set aside specific blocks of time to work on certain tasks. The result? It was a total game changer for my time management skills, stress relief & I was able to make sure I was getting everything completed while also having times to take substantial breaks. 

Figure Out What Organisational Tool Works Best For You 

How do you work best? Personally, I rely heavily on my iCal paired with my planner but I know friends that simply just use one or the other. Point being, find the system that works best for you. However you choose to map out your blocks of time, make sure you have a visual to see what you’ll be working on & when. 

Prioritising Tasks 

Know what the most important, pressing tasks are & knock those out before moving on to anything else. That was, you have time to readjust your schedule accordingly if anything unexpected issue arise. If something does pop up out of the blue you’ll be grateful that you accomplished your toughest tasks earlier on in the day. Plus, it also helps procrastinating because let’s face it, we’ve all been there before. 

SMART Goals 

Don’t know what SMART goals are? SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant & Time-Bound. When setting tasks & time blocking my schedule for the day I always refer back to the concept of SMART goals. Time blocking your day can be over-whelming to begin with but I can assure you it is so worth it & has been such a game changer when it comes to my daily productivity. 

B x 

Creating A Zen Workplace At Home

@stilclassics

Before we all experienced lockdown, a lot of us didn’t need a space at home but now more than ever, we need to be creating spaces at home that are both calm & productive. Working from home isn’t something that’s new to me but I know it was & still is a very new reality for many people. I know that from working from home before that I need a very calm space but also a space where I know I’m going to be productive & really focus on my work. These are just a few of the tips & tricks I have to creating the perfect calm yet productive work space at home. 

Select A Scent

Smell, being one of the five sense, can control your moods & emotions. They also add a personal touch to your space. Create a calming environment by selecting a signature scent for you office. You could use candles, diffusers & essential oils but I also really enjoy using room sprays to freshen up my office. 

It Takes Two

As handy & portable laptops are, having a second screen makes working from home just that little bit easier. There’s no need to be flicking through tabs, you’re able to watch a video or look over data while talking to a colleague or taking notes on the other screen. Obviously not a necessity, but super useful. 

Green Thumb

Going green is a movement that is trending for a reason. Adding a low maintenance plant to your space will not only add a pop of colour, some plants even help to improve air quality. Beside, having a living thing in your workspaces requires you to water & look after it which means you have a good reason to be in your office in the first place. 

Smart Storage

I’ve recently re-done my office organisation & storage but it’s really the key when it comes to at home work spaces. There’s nothing worse than a cluttered desk especially if it has nothing to do with work. Storage on wheels is always a great options as it can be moved to a less visible place easily & as needed. 

Comfort Is Key

The most important piece of furniture in an at desk home work space is the desk chair & I learnt that the hard way. You’re most likely going to be spending a lot of time sitting down in it, so it makes sense for it to be comfortable. But it doesn’t have to be the only crucial chair in your life. Adding a beanbag or sofa couch to your office space can give you a place to unwind but also prevents you from wandering off into the lounge & procrastinating. 

B x 

How To Plan Your Day When Working From Home

@stilclassics

Whether you’re new to working from home or simply need some tips on how to plan your day, here are some techniques to help you stay on track throughout your day. 

Create Desk Goals

I’ve found that it’s easier to get into a routine if you have a desk or even just an area in your home that is your area while you work. Ideally, you might find that you want to convert a space room into a home office but if your home doesn’t allow for that a part of the dinning room/lounge/bedroom can work just as well. Try to find some space for your laptop, notes and a good cup of coffee, not matter how small. 

Be Strict With Time

When working from home, home life can easily mesh with your professional life. To prevent this from happening & for me to be completely aware of what need to be done when I will have routines & block periods of time throughout my day for certain tasks. Even though we’re working from home, we must set work hours for ourselves. It automatically gives us a routine to follow & offers us that structure we would usually get when working at the office. 

What Planner Suits You? 

A planner that will help you structure your to-do’s, goals & work all in one is really helpful when working from home. A daily planner can help you create structure in the day but maybe you feel you need something to help you see the bigger picture & that’s when a weekly desk planner can come in handy. 

Track Time If You Lose Focus

Time tracking apps are very useful to help you make the most of your working hours. It could also help you figure out how many hours you’ve spent on a project. I also find time blocking in iCal to be really helpful as well. It’s flexible but also allows me to see where my day is heading & how busy I’m going to be. 

B x 

Being Productive With No Motivation

@stilclassics

We've all been there. That lousy place where the thought of a glaring task is killing any motivation you have to complete it. To top it off, procrastination, pretending to be your friend has gotten you nowhere. So what's a girl to do? Here are some steps that might just help you get back to work.

Change Your Environment

Get up & go somewhere different. Even if you are crunched for time, go grab a coffee or even a elevator ride down to reception & back. A change of scenery can change your state of mind.

Get Some Exercise

If you aren't working on a tight deadline, to get your head back in the game try going for a brisk walk. Doing some kind of exercise can help with productivity & a reset of perspective.

Break Larger Tasks Into Small Bit Size Pieces

If you have so much to do & haven't even started yet, it can be overwhelming. Start small & celebrate little mile stones. One little step at a time.

Give Yourself A Time Limit

Set a timer & see what you can accomplish in 30 minutes. Put your phone away & keep only the tabs you need open on your computer. Keep your head down & work without allowing yourself to be distracted. It's just 30 minutes. When your timer goes off, see how far you've come & feel good about the progress you are making. Take a quick break & do it again.

B x 

How To Get Every Single Task Completed On Time

@plushdesignstudio

With so many steps to complete a task, do you ever wish there were more hours in the day? Of course, you do & I'm with you on that one! But what we really need, isn't more hours in the day, it's more dedication, more productivity. Often, it can feel as though you're wringing every single second out of the day. 

So, if you have a to-do list as long as your arm & don't know where to start, fear not. Here are a few of my favourite hacks to help you get everything on your list ticked off. 

Give Your To-Do List A Makeover 

You already have a daily to-do list, no doubt riddled with amendments, things you need to remember & additions that you whack on at the end. Give your to-do list a makeover & instead focus on three things you can actually achieve in one day. 

I find this is actually one of the most important steps to completing a task. As soon as you do them, you can then write another to-do list. If anything else pops up, it must stay on a sticky note ready to be brought into your minimalistic to-do list. 

The power is in your hands now. You're not waiting for tasks to be chucked at you, you're taking control of your to-do list & being smart about it to. 

Declutter Your Workspace 

Start your day with a de-clutter. Chuck old papers in the bin & start fresh. It's amazing what a clean desk can do & how it will make you feel. You'll be able to tackle your day with a fresh perspective because you've given yourself the space necessary to get started. 

Focus On One Things At A Time 

Multitasking will destroy your to-do list. Do not talk on your phone while sending an email or try to remember something while filing in a spreadsheet. Focus solely on one thing until that thing is done & then move onto the next.

Shutting yourself off & focusing exclusively on one task, only resting when it's done, can free up a lot of time you didn't know you had. 

Keep Your Emails Organised

This is one of the easiest steps to complete when it comes to getting all the tasks completed. De-clutter your inbox! 

Tackling your inbox is a job that takes a little while if you've been letting it pile up but if you are able to stay on top of it every day, you'll find it takes you less time to manage & complete tasks that are tied up to your inbox. 

A quick way to do this would be to set up filters, go through your inbox at an allocated time for 20 minutes & mark any emails that you want to skip the inbox, put in a folder, mark as spam or just simply delete before they become any more of a nuisance. 

Schedule Chunks Of Uninterrupted Time 

It's all about deep work. For me, that often means identifying my biggest distraction & work on removing it. So, if you find yourself checking Instagram throughout the day, turn your phone off or put it in a drawer. The easiest way to do this is to give yourself a period of time where you work completely uninterrupted. 

You tell yourself you will work for exactly one hour without any distractions, focusing on one thing only & then at the end, you can grab water, go to the coffee machine or a take a routine walk around the printer for five minutes. I find that this works so much better that being distracted routinely throughout the day. These steps to complete a task might seem like they're self-explanatory but they'll make a huge difference. 

B x 

The Easiest Way To Stay Organised

Do you struggle to remember things? Friend's birthdays, dentist appointments or buying an anniversary present for your S.O? Well, a planner that is utilised well & properly maintains is definitely the key to your problems. Never had a diary or got one but barely use it? Here's my advice on finding a planner that will suit you & your life. 

Get One That Suits Your Lifestyle

For some people, remembering upcoming events & to-do's, the calendar in their phone is all they need. For other people, that sometimes just doesn't suit. A small pocket-sized diary is absolutely perfect for those who can just throw it in their bag & go but sometimes that just isn't feasible. 

I use a combination of digital apps on my devices to help keep me organised along with a monthly planner which gives me an overview of the months but also all the important tasks I have during certain weeks. It's what works for me & that's the most important thing because if it doesn;t then you simply won't use it. So figure out which way will suit your lifestyle best whether that may be a larger diary, small pocket diary or an app on your phone. 

Use Prompts & Reminders To Avoid Surprises 

Everyone's been it that situation where they've realised that day before a friend's birthday party that they've neglected to buy a present, maybe not everyone but most of us. A spot of re-gifting & a poorly wrapped present later they're not feeling too good about the situation. 

Instead, write yourself a reminders in your diary. Got a birthday party coming up? Put down 'buy birthday present' two weeks before. Got an important function coming up where you need a new outfit, do the same thing. Use you diary not only as a way of noting down events but as a physical or digital reminder to purchase things, clean things, give loaned items back & the list goes on. 

Create Space For Inspiration & Creativity 

Don't make your diary all about dates! I know how bizarre that sounds but use it for writing down some lists of things that will get you inspired & excited for the month ahead. You could write down a list of books to read that month or movies to see. Maybe a new skill you want to start or a free festival that's starting soon. Either way, try to se your diary as a way of inspiring you each month. 

Set Aside Time To Check It

I like to give my diary a good once over on a Sunday afternoon. This gives me a chance to see upcoming events & appointments also to make a master to-do list for the week. Make some time every week to check your diary & soon it will simply become a habit & you'll start checking it more frequently. 

Make Everything Work For You 

Go beyond using your diary just as a way of jotting down upcoming dates & reminders. Try some bullet journaling where you can simply jot down goals for the month, tasks for the day & a daily log of what you achieved which can be as simple & as memorable as you want. 

Also look at using different coloured pens & pencils or brightly patterned Washi tape to keep things creative. These can help you colour code your days or months as well as make events more important at a glance. 

Good luck & let me know what planning system works for you!

B x 

How To Plan For A Successful 2020

@stilclassics

Making a strategy on how to be successful in 2020 might be the last thing on your mind right now but 2020 is just around the corner & it's approaching faster than ever. 

2020 feels to me like it's going to be a good year, it just feels like it has potential, you know? If you want to live that potential, you should start thinking about what you want to achieve next year now! 

Don't Set A Resolution This Year 

I don't like New Year resolutions, they're dumb. They encourage us to set vague, non-specific goals with the intention of working towards them over the course of the year. Then, when the end of the year rolls around, you haven't made any progress, you then feel defeated & start the process all over again. 

Opposed to setting New Year's resolutions I prefer to set myself a new goal or resolution every month. You can set that big overarching goal, but every single month you need to have a new resolution/goal & know how you're going to achieve it. This way your goals are smart & you're hitting them by the end of each month. 

Learn To Be Conscious 

We get complacent when we are on autopilot. Think about all the times you travel to work or do household chores without thinking. When you're conscious of your actions, you can control them. You can think clearly about what you're doing. 

Take yourself off autopilot whenever you can if you want to be successful in 2020. The earlier you can train yourself to do this, the better because it will help you be on top of your actions & in charge of where your mental energy goes. 

Find Out What's Filling Up Your Jar 

If you visualise your day as an empty jar, what you're filling your jar with makes a huge difference to what you achieve. Try logging what you're doing every hour with a timed weekly schedule. Make a note of everything you achieved to see how smart you are with your time, give yourself specific deadlines & keep a record of appointments. 

Be Extraordinary, Not Ordinary 

If you want to be successful in 2020, you have to acknowledge your potential & live up to it. Everything you want is possible, you're the only obstacle standing in the way of your goals. Make a conscious effort to step it up as soon as you can be extraordinary. Next year, you don't have time to be average. Don't settle for anything, go out there & grab it! 

B x

Mastering Time Management

@stilclassics

We all like to be kept busy but there are times when the workload can become too much. Minutes go by like seconds, it doesn't take long before you are completely overwhelmed by the list of tasks you are never going to have time to complete. Take a deep breath & have a look at my top tips for mastering time management. 

Plan Your Day

There is nothing more satisfying than sitting an with your morning cup of coffee & your diary in front of you, with everything already set out, ready for the day ahead of you. Looking at everything you need to complete sets you up perfectly for the day. Set goals that you know are realistic & strive to achieve them. 

Checklists 

Everyone can be pulling your in a thousand different directions throughout the day so it's important to have a checklist in place so that you're able to visualise exactly what you have to get done & how much you have already got done. Writing it all down has always been a massive help to me when it comes to organising my time & priorities. 

Avoid Distraction 

It's human nature to favour one task over another but time is managed so much more effectively when you are productive with it. Try to avoid those oh-so-tempting message pings from your phone where possible. 

Ask For Help 

With all the will in the world, we are only human & cannot always get everything done. If you spot a struggle & ask someone to help you out it will take the pressure off & free up your time. 

Tackle On Thing At A Time 

You might have a million & one things to do but you can't do them all at once. Take each task one at a time & you will complete them much more effectively. 

Use Your Breaks Wisely

Your break doesn't mean checking your emails! Use your breaks/downtime effectively & you will be far more productive when it comes to trying to focus on work. 

Know What's Urgent 

Prioritising tasks can make your to-do list that little less daunting. If something doesn't need to be done today then don't fret about it. Use your time wisely & complete today's deadlines only! 

Reward Yourself 

What a better incentive is there to get things done than rewards yourself? Whether this is a coffee break during the day or a big glass of wine at the end of the day, it will definitely help your work-mindset! 

B x 

September Master Task List

@socialcut

Happy September! Spring is finally upon us & I'm so excited for the warmer weather. I haven't got too many wild plans for this month but there are a few things I'd like to get done.

More Reading 
I've put the books down recently but I'd like to get back into reading on a daily basis. Reading is something I do when taking some time for myself. I did start reading 'Small Great Things' by Jodi Picoult so I think I'l start back with finishing that & we'll see where we go from there. Hopefully I can get some more books ticked off my list!

Get Back Into Masking
Face & hair masks are at the top of my priority list when it comes to skin & hair care routines. Dehydration & congestion is one of my biggest issues when it comes to my skin. There are a few different masks which I mentioned in a post, linked here, that make a huge difference with both dehydration & congestion. I really need to get back onto the bandwagon when it comes to using them. With my hair which is really just a curly, frizzy mess most of the time, I find when it becomes dehydrated it becomes less manageable & never left with a defined curl. Hair masks are my favourite way to keep my hair hydrated & in really good condition. I cannot wait to see the result, both in my skin & hair by the end of the month.

2019 Editorial Calendar
By the end of September I'd like to have a rough idea about the posts I'm looking at writing for the next three months. This will give me a good opportunity to get ahead with the writing & photography side of things but also start planning for some exciting things in 2020.

2020 Goal Setting 
I know it's a little early but I'd like to start putting together some ideas of what I'd like to achieve in 2020. It might take a wee while but it's one of those activities I think I'll really enjoy doing.

Apply For Uni 
This is a big one & one that I'm so excited for. The application process is a long one so my goal is to start getting the ball rolling as early as possible & make sure I have everything I need. I'll keep you updated!

What are your plans for September?

B x

How To Beat A Midday Slump

@kevinbhagat

Sleeping on the job might be frowned upon but the truth is, short afternoon naps have been proven to enhance performance & creativity in the workplace. A midday power nap would be a great way to beat the afternoon slump but what if your workplace doesn’t have those snooze-friendly policies? 

Avoid Sugar

If you depend on sugar for a quick energy-boost, then you know that those effects are often short lived. Stick to water & start away from sugary drinks. I always try to keep some dark chocolate handy, that way when I get some of those weird midday cravings I can make a smarter choice. 

Snack Smarter

Make your own snacks & bring them in from home. That way you know exactly what you put in your body. All you need to do is make a bath on the weekend & you’ll be all set for the work week ahead. You can make your own granola bars, banana loaf or even almonds & fresh berries. It really doesn’t get easier than that. Having something health on hand means you’ll be less likely to make an unhealthy decision & it’ll also help keep your engird levels up. 

Step Away From Your Desk

More often than not you can find me working behind a computer. When I’m not at my desk, behind my computer I’m normally taking a break,  walking around stretching which helps me stay more focused when I get back to my desk. 

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can cause poor concentration, tiredness & fatigue, so drink up buttercup. I like to to drink a big class of water when I first get up in the morning & I keep a water bottle on me at all times. If you’re not into drinking water, you can try mixing it up by adding fruits, herb-infused ice cubes or even cucumber. Another thing that can be helpful is to take a break in the afternoons & treat yourself too a good ole cup of tea & take some time to slow down. 

B x 

How To Plan Effectively For A Productive Week

@paigecody

Planning my week is such an important part of my weekly routine. Not only is it something I love to do but it’s something that I need. I just have to be as prepared as I possibly can, I just find myself more productive that way. So, I thought I’d share how I get to my daily to-do lists & the steps that I take in order to make one so that it doesn’t feel too overwhelming, instead arms me with a plan that makes me feel like I’ve got this.

Step One: Get Up To Date

I cannot just have a to-do list without a weekly schedule. If I was to have meetings all day Monday then the chances are that I’m not going to get a lot done off my to-do list, if anything. I’d be more inclined to set tiny tasks for the Monday, perhaps tasks I could get done in-between meetings. If I was to have a huge meeting Wednesday afternoon then I’d be inclined to leave my morning free for other tasks on my to-do list. I keep my iCal & diary pretty well synced at all times so that I can avoid things such as double-booking myself but more than that, so I know where am & where I need to be at certain times of the day & then everything else more or less plays out around that. Before I even begin to think about a to-do list I’ll always check my weekly plan for appointments, event & meetings. You’ve really got to blend the two together in order to create a to-do list that actually has a chance of being completed. 

Step Two: Be Realistic

There is something about us as humans that seems to make us incredibly unrealistic with our time. If only I had a dollar for every time I thought I’d get something done in an hour but actually it took 3, right? Our to-do lists can sometimes make us feel flustered when we aren’t being realistic & ultimately, that’s when we become unproductive. A long-arse to-do list ain’t going to be completed in a day. Even if some of the tasks are small, you’ll end up getting distracted especially over tasks that have taken longer than expected. Quality over quantity is important to remember in this instance. Chop down your list, factor in plenty of time for each task & if you think you’ll have a longer to-do list on a certain day, make sure your schedule reflects that. 

Step Three: Framework

Easier said than done, I know but the sooner you find out planning & organisation framework is going to work best for you. Do you prefer weekly diary & a notepad for to-do lists or would are you more likely to use something like a Bullet Journal? It’s totally up to you but once you find what framework works best for you, planning & organising you life will become a dream. 

Step Four: Three Tasks Per Day

You could have the longest to-do list in the world but on that list if you had to only complete three tasks, what would they be? I ask myself this question every time I’m writing my daily to-do list. It’s a little bit stripped back I know but it makes perfect sense. Three tasks a day splits your day up nicely - one task when you first clock in, another before lunch & then another after lunch before you pack up for the day. Of course, you might other smaller tasks on your list that you could do in smaller pockets of time but when it comes to the meaty stuff, I only factor in three tasks a day which gives me the highest possible chance of actually getting them done. 

Step Five: Be Precious With Your Time

If you still feel like you’re struggling to find your productivity flow then perhaps it’s time to be more precious with your working hours. It’s about working out what tasks make you feel great & like you’re getting through your workload & then finding the things that can be removed from your schedule - either temporarily or perhaps someone else can do them - so that you have more time to do those tasks. Something else that might also be helpful is to work out what days of the week you’re at your most productive but also what times of the day you’re most productive. Be selfish, allocate time efficiently & get shit done.

B x 

Happy People Habits

@frsphoto

I want to be happy. I want to accomplish crazy dreams, have an amazing relationship with myself and others and be surrounds by amazing, loving people. But like everyone else, I struggle to attain happiness and keep it. It makes us all wonder how others, in comparison to us, continue to achieve their dreams while living their fullest life. 

I believe the success and happiness of someone lies within their daily habits. When we're working towards a goal everyday, we eventually come to see that happiness is a constant experience rather than just an end result.

Treat Ourselves With Kindness

More often than not, we tend to treat others with kindness and love more than we do ourselves. We tend to not give ourselves enough credit. If we treat ourselves with kindness, love and understanding, despite any struggles and downfalls, we'll soon realise that a fulfilling life starts with loving ourselves. 

Unplug Technology

We live in a technological world where everyone seems to be plugged in and distracted all day, everyday. Separating yourself from the idea of technology addiction will enable you to be aware and open to connecting with the world and the people around you. 

Organisation In A Physical & Mental Space

Routine gives life structure and helps maximise productivity. Following a routine we're then able to tackle an entire day with a goal-oriented mind set. Without a routine, there is a chance we could find ourselves lost with what to do with our day which then can lead to waste of valuable time. 

Stay Present

There is nothing wrong with daydreaming or reminiscing but to let your mind stay in the past too much will prevent you from going the things you need to do right now. 

Exercise & Eat Healthy

Exercise and eating healthy keeps our body strong and mind happy. Your body is going to feel its best if you eat healthily and make an effort to workout daily. 

Time To Recharge & Be Alone

The craziness of life takes a huge toll on everyone. To sustain your happiness and keep your sanity, it's a good idea to take a step back from your world and just be with yourself. It's natural to get so caught up in life that you forget who you are. We then need to return to a sense of grounded awareness, opposed to forcing our minds to be busy with worries, work and any future obligations. 

Much love, B x

2018 Goals | Too Late?

@nevenkrcmarek

I’m constantly striving to do better in all aspects of my life, to be a better version of myself. I’m always setting goals & intentions for all aspects of my life. I prefer to then go & break my bigger goals & intentions into something smaller so they’re more attainable throughout the year.

Setting goals gives us something to work towards at any given time frame. I try to set monthly & weekly goals which initially steam from my annual goals & how I aim to achieve them. Depending on how big or small your goals are you may what to break them into small tasks, like I do, or not. I use the Momentum Planner to keep track of all my current projects/tasks in my life. They offer Annual, Monthly, Weekly & Daily pages for ultimate planning. 

I don’t believe goal setting is something we should be doing only doing on a yearly basis. We should all be constantly reviewing & changing up our goals as we grow over the course of the year. 

If you are yet to set goals for 2018, it's not too late. I highly encourage you to set yourself some goals,  you can start small if need be. Goals give us something to aim and strive for. Goals give us purpose and a reason to grow.  It’s never to late to set goals and it’s never to late to grow as a person. 

B x

My Workspace For Productivity

I tend to switch up my workspace every 4-6 months. This can be from the smallest thing like changing up desk decor to replacing my desk candle or it can come in a larger form such as moving around bigger furniture pieces or completing reorganising and decorating. I've always viewed change as a positive, a good thing but I know not everybody views change like that. I truly believe that change has a variety of benefits on several different areas of our lives. 

My workspace is pretty basic but it works well for me. The notebooks you'll see on the left hand side of my desk are used to website post planning and scheduling. I prefer to have them sitting on my desk because that way they're easily accessible. Next I have a few pieces of decor. A marble 'X' ornament, a fake plant, a candle and a essence burner. On my desk I also have a place for any lose papers that need to be kept easily accessible, a bunch of note paper and the sticky notes I'm currently using in my planner. The simply gorgeous pen holder holds some of my favourite pens, a pair of scissors and a ruler, just the basics. You may also notice that in the bottom right hand corner I have an oil defuser sitting on my desk. I was gifted this at Christmas time and I love it. I've wanted one for the longest time and it's definitely something I try and use on a daily basis to help clear the air. 

I'm loving my workspace at the moment and because of that, I'm feeling super productive. It's a minimal but functional space which is right up my alley. 

All the main stationary pieces were brought at Kmart and decor pieces from the Warehouse. You definitely don't need to spend a crazy amount of money, if you don't want to, to achieve a simple but functional workspace. 

Let me know what you have in your workspace that helps increase productivity!

Much love, B x 

Beating A Creative Block

@riccardoannandale

Just a quick one from me today but I want to touch on creative blocks. Creative blocks can happen to the best of us and they're always frustrating. I do a lot of my post planning/writing in advance and when trying to figure out what content you want to post for the month, a creative block is the last thing you need. 

I tend to get my inspiration from those around me with that be in person or online. Inspiration can come from anywhere, but it's just a matter of getting your mind out of that creative rut. 

Hot Bubble Bath

A hot bath is always a stress reliever for me. It's a way for me to relax and chill out for a bit. I have a lot of my best ideas in the bath and I've been even known to write posts in the bath. But my point being, when allowing myself to relax and destress all my creative ideas start flowing more easily.  

Others Creative Content

Another way I find helps bet a creative block is indulging yourself in other peoples creativity. Looking through other peoples creative content helps spark ideas in my mind and can lead to some pretty awesome stuff. 

B x

2018 Planning and Organisation

@kellybrito

You all know how seriously I take my planning and organisation. I've actually already know how I want to plan and organise my life in 2018 and I've gone one set further and already set it all up.  Some of you will think that's absolutely crazy but December is busy month as it is and I think it's great to already be thinking about, if not already know, how you want to plan in 2018. 

I'm very much a paper and pen girl but apart of that is also being digitally organised as well. So that for whatever reason I don't have my physical planner on me I can still know what I need to do, where I need to be and schedule other appointments if need be. 

For 2018 I'm going ton have three planners. Crazy I know but let me explain. My main planner is standard day to a page. This is where the majority of my planning and organising will take place. Everything from birthdays, events, appointments, to do lists and notes will go in here. 

 The next planner is a week on two pages. I've decided I'm going to use this one for journaling and gratitude. I really want to start journalling again even it is only small amounts daily. These kinds of planner and journal are really awesome to look back on and I think it'll make for some really good self care and creativity time. 

The final notebook I'm using in 2018 is my Bullet Journal. I won't be using it in the regular Bullet Journal way but what I'll be using it for is post planning for my website, goal setting, routine planning, gift ideas and all that good stuff. It's going to be something I can refer back to regardless the time of the year. 

Like I said earlier I adore planning and organisation. It's just one of those things that has to be in my life or otherwise everything is just a shambles. Let me know how you're choosing to plan for 2018, I'd love to know. 

B x 

18 Before 2018 Goal Setting Challenge By Lisa Jacobs

Super quick post from me today but Lisa Jacobs over at marketyourcreativity.com has brought out her yearly goal setting challenge once again. I participated last year for 17 Before 2017 and I'm participating again this year. 

This post is to encourage you to set 18 goals you want to accomplish over the next 3 months before 2017 is over. 

I'll leave links to Lisa's site and Instagram so you can check more of her content out and what 18 Before 2018 is all about. Get involved and let's end 2017 on a high. 

B x 

Starting Your Week With A Bang

@ariellustre

So far this month I’ve talked plenty about being productive and efficient while working, but also about self care and what you can do to boost self care in your life. This post is going to cover everything I’ve spoken about so far this month. It’s going to be about how you can start you’re week with a  positive mind set because of course, nobody likes Monday’s but it is that start of our week and I think it’s important to start how your intend to finish.

Early Mornings

I know, early Monday mornings sound terrifying but I promise you they’re really not that bad. I encourage you to get up early, if not all week, specifically on Monday mornings. Getting up earlier means you’re gong to have a little extra time to get yourself ready for the day. Nobody likes any extra added stress, especially on Mondays. 

Update To Do Lists and Goals

Find yourself 5 minutes to update your to do list and goals for the week. Start your Mondays with a fresh mindset, set reasonable goals and a reasonable to do list for the week. This way you’ll be aware of what needs to get done and by when. 

Meal Prep

I prefer to meal prep on a Sunday but I still thought I’d add this in because sometimes its nice to have a healthy meals already to be cooked when you get home. I know, that sometimes after a long day the last thing I want to do is cook a healthy meal and if you’re the same then I encourage you to get organised, and meal prep. 

Celebrate Your Success

Girl, you just got through the worst day of the week! Celebrate what you got completed, in fact just celebrate you. I’m a big self care advocate, and I’m always encouraging everyone to look after themselves. Have a hot bubble bath, a glass of wine, put on a face mask and treat yourself. 

B x 

Working Efficiently From Home

@oildale

This is my second full year working from home and while I can understand that it isn’t for everyone, it works really well for me. It allows me to be more flexible with my time, allowing me to be able to get to various important appointments specifically regarding my health but also go at my own pace. Working from home can be difficult, I'm not going to sugar coat it but I think if you’re passionate about what you’re doing then it'll work in your favour. I have quite possibly done a post similar to this before but as time goes on my routines change and there are a bunch of things that I do in my day to day life to make working from home as productive as possible. Here are a few of my favourites.

Set Goals

Set yourself regular goals. I find that if I set myself regular goals incredibly helpful. It gives me a purpose to each day, week, month and it means that I’m fully aware of the things I would like to get done and by when. Although I love the idea of having yearly goals sometimes those yearly goals can be so big that we need to set ourselves goals to achieve the yearly goals, make sense? The idea of setting weekly and monthly goals is that they are slightly more specific with a shorter time frame. Personally, I know that I’m more likely to achieve the more specific goals rather than those big yearly goals. 

Clean and Tidy Space

 I have a clean house policy when it comes to working from home. Before any work gets done, I’ll make sure the house is clean and tidy. A clean and tidy house means a clear and tidy mind. I really struggle working in a messy environment and I tend to be less productive. A clean and today space means that I can fully commit to what it is that needs to get done on a specific day and I’m not worried about what needs to be done around the house. 

Change of Scenery 

I highly encourage any of you that work from home to change up your scenery every now and then. Whether that’s working from your local coffee shop, library or even working outside on a sunny day. For me, it only takes a change of scenery to get a boost of motivation, focus and creativity. As long as you have access to good internet and great coffee, wherever you go will work well! 

Set a Schedule
While working from home I’ve found it great to have a set schedule. I have a set time when my morning routine needs to finish, when I’m having breaks, and when I’m finishing for the day, then everything else goes around that. Sometime things will have to be changed slightly depending on things like appointments and meetings, but other than that everything I pretty structured when it comes to my work day. I do want to make it known that the flexibility that comes with working from home is definitely a bonus and I do use it to my advantage when needed. 

B x

Productivity VS Procrastination

@brookecagle

Just a quick post from me today but I wanted to talk about how I beat procrastination. I work from home so my everyday work environment isn't you're typical office environment and one thing I’ve learnt about myself while working at home is that I can be quite the procrastinator when I want to be. I find it so strange though because I never use to be a procrastinator when I was younger, so I wonder what’s changed? Whatever it is, I don’t like this procrastination thing and here’s how I learnt to kick it in the butt. 

Dedicated Work Space

A lot of you know that I work from home and working from the lounge suite, although great sometimes, wasn’t ideal nor was it a permanent solution. I’ve now turned my spare room into my office. My office is where everything work related gets done and it’s so lovely to just have a space where I know I need to bd focused and get things done. Having a tidy work space also does wonders for my procrastination, because lets be honest, organising all my notebooks just doesn’t really cut it as work. 

Regular Breaks

I never use to take breaks, I’d just work right through until the end of the day. Even if I took a lunch break, I’d normally still be on my laptop or phone checking my emails. It such a bad habit to get in to. Taking regular breaks is so helpful, it allows you to refuel your mind and body. Taking regular breaks means that I’m so much more productive throughout the day, compared to when I wasn’t taking breaks. 

Plan

You all know how much of a planner I am, and trust me, nothing changed. Of course, do what works for you but writing lists is always helpful but also having a place where you can keep appointments and meeting times. I use both a digital and a written planner to keep myself on track. To be productive it’s important to know what needs to be done and by when but also where you need to be yourself, and when. 

These are just my top three tips and maybe you have some tips of your own. Share them in the comments below to start up a conversation. 

B x