by Louise D'Allura on November 6th, 2013
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When you are too busy trying to be all things to everyone, it’s time to take a step back and get yourself unstuck from the day to day!
When you spend more time working in your business than on it, it can be extremely hard to take yourself out of the daily grind. Here are four simple strategies you can implement to focus on your long-term vision and stop being the bottleneck (especially when it’s only you in the business).
Click here to read more (at Women't Network Australia)
When you spend more time working in your business than on it, it can be extremely hard to take yourself out of the daily grind. Here are four simple strategies you can implement to focus on your long-term vision and stop being the bottleneck (especially when it’s only you in the business).
Click here to read more (at Women't Network Australia)
by Louise D'Allura on October 10th, 2013
One of the things clients start noticing immediately when we are organising a space - any space - is duplication, that is items are stored in multiple locations making it very tricky to know where ANYTHING lives.
You probably notice every time you want to put something away or find something. It can be impossible and really hard work!!
During the Value phase (in the REVAMP process - see below + video), we are grouping and sorting before we buy anything so we can get a full appreciation of the VOLUME of stuff we are dealing with.
I say it so often that it might sound like I am non-committal but it is true !!! Until we know what we are dealing with, we don't know what solution to throw at the 'problem'.
If you've ever bought containers first, you'll know this isn't the best way to go because you need to make sense of the chaos around you, get clear on what is truly important and what you need to have close at hand, vs what doesn't need to be in your space. When you know what needs to be corralled, and the volume you're dealing with it is so much easier to move forward.
Once you go through that initial hard slog to identify what you have, what you want to keep and you can SEE the volume, you can then declutter again what you need to and re-organise items in your preferred 'go to' spots. When you know what you have, where you need it to be, it is easier to set up and maintain your system - saving you a lot of mental energy and time in the long run.
Where to you start?
1. Put Pen to Paper Before you tackle any organising project, be sure to put pen to paper to note down these aspects of a space that are really frustrating. Grab a pen and paper and note down:
R - remember the purpose of the space - ie how do you want this space to be?
E - evaluate - what you love and hate!
V - value - what items do you need to create zones for?
A - assign - what items need to live where based on the flow?
M - maintain - how will you keep things in check and orderly?
P - party - how will you celebrate when you're done?
Watch the video below
2. Group and sort during the VALUE Phase
As you enter the VALUE phase you'll start grouping and sorting what you love vs hate. It is important to group first then declutter. Make life easier by using tubs or green recycling shopping bags so you can label them and leave them on the floor in the room you’re trying to declutter.
3. Set up zones and flow during the ASSIGN Phase
As you enter the ASSIGN phase set areas up based on how you use them and need them to work.
4. Focus on how to make things EASY during the MAINTAIN Phase
Once you've got the space sorted we need to make sure you've got systems set up to MAINTAIN things in an orderly manner. For example, set aside 40 minutes once a month to purge your files and office. We accumulate a lot of documents both in our file cabinet and on our hard drive that we no longer need. Try to purge your files once a quarter or at least at tax time.
You probably notice every time you want to put something away or find something. It can be impossible and really hard work!!
During the Value phase (in the REVAMP process - see below + video), we are grouping and sorting before we buy anything so we can get a full appreciation of the VOLUME of stuff we are dealing with.
I say it so often that it might sound like I am non-committal but it is true !!! Until we know what we are dealing with, we don't know what solution to throw at the 'problem'.
If you've ever bought containers first, you'll know this isn't the best way to go because you need to make sense of the chaos around you, get clear on what is truly important and what you need to have close at hand, vs what doesn't need to be in your space. When you know what needs to be corralled, and the volume you're dealing with it is so much easier to move forward.
Once you go through that initial hard slog to identify what you have, what you want to keep and you can SEE the volume, you can then declutter again what you need to and re-organise items in your preferred 'go to' spots. When you know what you have, where you need it to be, it is easier to set up and maintain your system - saving you a lot of mental energy and time in the long run.
Where to you start?
1. Put Pen to Paper Before you tackle any organising project, be sure to put pen to paper to note down these aspects of a space that are really frustrating. Grab a pen and paper and note down:
R - remember the purpose of the space - ie how do you want this space to be?
E - evaluate - what you love and hate!
V - value - what items do you need to create zones for?
A - assign - what items need to live where based on the flow?
M - maintain - how will you keep things in check and orderly?
P - party - how will you celebrate when you're done?
Watch the video below
2. Group and sort during the VALUE Phase
As you enter the VALUE phase you'll start grouping and sorting what you love vs hate. It is important to group first then declutter. Make life easier by using tubs or green recycling shopping bags so you can label them and leave them on the floor in the room you’re trying to declutter.
3. Set up zones and flow during the ASSIGN Phase
As you enter the ASSIGN phase set areas up based on how you use them and need them to work.
4. Focus on how to make things EASY during the MAINTAIN Phase
Once you've got the space sorted we need to make sure you've got systems set up to MAINTAIN things in an orderly manner. For example, set aside 40 minutes once a month to purge your files and office. We accumulate a lot of documents both in our file cabinet and on our hard drive that we no longer need. Try to purge your files once a quarter or at least at tax time.
Let me know how you go!
by Louise D'Allura on October 7th, 2013
One of the things I know about myself is I procrastinate. Yes shock horror!
I wanted to share with you my thinking around it and you may think I am denial - BUT - hear me out!
I am happy to do stuff - I have no problem getting through stuff. I love work and I feel like I do a lot. Heck I keep on adding things to my to do list....!!! (That's a topic for another day!)
So when does procrastination pop up for me?
When I am deciding what to move forward with. Sounds pretty normal right?
While there are theories galore, I think the most important and helpful thing I have done - is to understand WHY I do it. Yep - each and everyone of us. I've read a lot about procrastination and that was the most useful thing I did. Actually notice - and get present to when and why I procrastinate. I wanted to know - am I selective about what I procrastinate on? Is it hard stuff? Is it stuff that is more fun?
Well, here is what I found
For me - it's selective procrastination, and in part, it helps me connect with my intuition. I don't quite hear my intuition, but I've worked out for ME - this positive elements of procrastination -is my intuition showing up in life.
It helps me work out which are those unnecessary tasks that I've packed onto my to do list. If I am procrastinating it is a sign to check in - that perhaps moving forward is not the right thing to do or I need to rethink my plan.
The tasks that stay on the list and don't move forward are ones that I am HESITATING on. I can be hesitating for a host of reasons:
So this is what I've worked out for ME when I noticed and got present to where all of this was coming from. Sure there are perfectionist tendencies at play. But hey, I'm recovering!!
So once I notice that's what's going on, I focus on identifying what aspect of the project or task I am struggling with. I work out what's the very next thing I could do to get MOVING.
I've got this tattooed on my brain - WHAT'S THE VERY NEXT THING I COULD DO TO GET MOVING? and sometimes it is getting quiet and admitting - heck I really don't want to do this after all!?! If this sounds like the type of procrastination you're struggling with I'd love to hear what you've noticed - when does it hit you?
I wanted to share with you my thinking around it and you may think I am denial - BUT - hear me out!
I am happy to do stuff - I have no problem getting through stuff. I love work and I feel like I do a lot. Heck I keep on adding things to my to do list....!!! (That's a topic for another day!)
So when does procrastination pop up for me?
When I am deciding what to move forward with. Sounds pretty normal right?
While there are theories galore, I think the most important and helpful thing I have done - is to understand WHY I do it. Yep - each and everyone of us. I've read a lot about procrastination and that was the most useful thing I did. Actually notice - and get present to when and why I procrastinate. I wanted to know - am I selective about what I procrastinate on? Is it hard stuff? Is it stuff that is more fun?
Well, here is what I found
For me - it's selective procrastination, and in part, it helps me connect with my intuition. I don't quite hear my intuition, but I've worked out for ME - this positive elements of procrastination -is my intuition showing up in life.
It helps me work out which are those unnecessary tasks that I've packed onto my to do list. If I am procrastinating it is a sign to check in - that perhaps moving forward is not the right thing to do or I need to rethink my plan.
The tasks that stay on the list and don't move forward are ones that I am HESITATING on. I can be hesitating for a host of reasons:
- something doesn't feel right
- I don't have enough information
- I said yes when I really wanted to say no
- I am unsure of how to move the idea/ project forward
- I'm not convinced the way I've chosen is the right way to go about it
- I need to talk to someone to sound it out
- I don't have the skill set to do the job - if I am really honest with myself!
- I have to outsource the task but I'm either not sure who or I haven't let myself relinquish control just yet - which means I've not documented the process clearly so I am NOT confident it will be done how I want/ need it to be done.
So this is what I've worked out for ME when I noticed and got present to where all of this was coming from. Sure there are perfectionist tendencies at play. But hey, I'm recovering!!
So once I notice that's what's going on, I focus on identifying what aspect of the project or task I am struggling with. I work out what's the very next thing I could do to get MOVING.
I've got this tattooed on my brain - WHAT'S THE VERY NEXT THING I COULD DO TO GET MOVING? and sometimes it is getting quiet and admitting - heck I really don't want to do this after all!?! If this sounds like the type of procrastination you're struggling with I'd love to hear what you've noticed - when does it hit you?
by Louise D'Allura on September 11th, 2013
Do you need to relax? Do you need to eat better? Do you need to find more balance in your life? Do you need to know more about what you're feeding your kids?
We have teamed up with a number of experts to offer a few fantastic ONLINE and LIVE events over the next few months.
In all our workshops or webinars we aim to share simple and effective techniques that will help you deal with the day to day. Whether that's cutting your stress levels to transform your health, pantry and energy to get you back on track, or introducing a new formula for finding balance, they are all designed to getting you to take action!
I'd love to see you at one of our events:
SEPTEMBER 2013
Saturday 7 September – MALENY
Meal Planning Tips and Tricks Workshop
Hosted by Real Food Festival
12:30 – 1:15
Click here for full program
Wednesday 18 September – WEBINAR
Who has time to Relax, let alone Eat Well??
This Webinar is a collaboration with Unity-Qld’s Kirsty O’Callaghan. We will lead you to a place of simple and effective techniques that transform your health, pantry and energy to get you back on track.
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Brisbane Australia time)
Bookings are essential: Click here
OCTOBER 2013
Thursday 3 October – CABOOLTURE
Balance? What Balance?
This LIVE workshop is a collaboration with Unity-Qld’s Kirsty O’Callaghan. We will share with you practical secrets to help busy parents and professionals successfully balance life in todays full on environment!
Bookings are essential: Click here
5.30pm – 7.00pm
Wednesday 9 October – GOLD COAST
What’s Food Got to Do with It?
Hosted by Nourish Me, Meal Planning Your Way, Literate Kids, Cooking4K
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Bookings are essential: Click here
Wednesday 16 October – BRISBANE
Food Additives Seminar – Indooroopilly
Hosted by Goodstart Indooroopilly
6:30 pm
Saturday 19 October – CABOOLTURE
Who has time to Relax, let alone Eat Well??
This LIVE workshop is a collaboration with Unity-Qld’s Kirsty O’Callaghan. We will lead you to a place of simple and effective techniques that transform your health, pantry and energy to get you back on track.
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Bookings are essential: Click here
Tuesday 29 October – GATTON
Food Additives Seminar – Gatton Cultural centre
Hosted by Life Without Barriers
10 am – 12 pm
Hope to see you at one of our events!
We have teamed up with a number of experts to offer a few fantastic ONLINE and LIVE events over the next few months.
In all our workshops or webinars we aim to share simple and effective techniques that will help you deal with the day to day. Whether that's cutting your stress levels to transform your health, pantry and energy to get you back on track, or introducing a new formula for finding balance, they are all designed to getting you to take action!
I'd love to see you at one of our events:
SEPTEMBER 2013
Saturday 7 September – MALENY
Meal Planning Tips and Tricks Workshop
Hosted by Real Food Festival
12:30 – 1:15
Click here for full program
Wednesday 18 September – WEBINAR
Who has time to Relax, let alone Eat Well??
This Webinar is a collaboration with Unity-Qld’s Kirsty O’Callaghan. We will lead you to a place of simple and effective techniques that transform your health, pantry and energy to get you back on track.
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Brisbane Australia time)
Bookings are essential: Click here
OCTOBER 2013
Thursday 3 October – CABOOLTURE
Balance? What Balance?
This LIVE workshop is a collaboration with Unity-Qld’s Kirsty O’Callaghan. We will share with you practical secrets to help busy parents and professionals successfully balance life in todays full on environment!
Bookings are essential: Click here
5.30pm – 7.00pm
Wednesday 9 October – GOLD COAST
What’s Food Got to Do with It?
Hosted by Nourish Me, Meal Planning Your Way, Literate Kids, Cooking4K
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Bookings are essential: Click here
Wednesday 16 October – BRISBANE
Food Additives Seminar – Indooroopilly
Hosted by Goodstart Indooroopilly
6:30 pm
Saturday 19 October – CABOOLTURE
Who has time to Relax, let alone Eat Well??
This LIVE workshop is a collaboration with Unity-Qld’s Kirsty O’Callaghan. We will lead you to a place of simple and effective techniques that transform your health, pantry and energy to get you back on track.
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Bookings are essential: Click here
Tuesday 29 October – GATTON
Food Additives Seminar – Gatton Cultural centre
Hosted by Life Without Barriers
10 am – 12 pm
Hope to see you at one of our events!
by Louise D'Allura on September 4th, 2013
Busyness in business is a double-edged sword. There are some common barriers that stop many business owners from ever working on their business.
This is an article I had published in the fantastic Working Women's Magazine published by Women's Network Australia all about getting your working ON your business - not just IN IT.
You can read the FULL article on the Women's Network Australia blog by clicking here:
Have you ever sat at a café and found yourself identifying ways they could improve their business, whether it’s the customer experience or processes? Did you shake your head wondering ‘how could they have missed these obvious things?’
Read more ..........
CLICK HERE to keep reading
This is an article I had published in the fantastic Working Women's Magazine published by Women's Network Australia all about getting your working ON your business - not just IN IT.
You can read the FULL article on the Women's Network Australia blog by clicking here:
Have you ever sat at a café and found yourself identifying ways they could improve their business, whether it’s the customer experience or processes? Did you shake your head wondering ‘how could they have missed these obvious things?’
Read more ..........
CLICK HERE to keep reading
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