Spring is a great time to clean out our homes and our bodies. So as well as packing up my house, to swap city living for country life over the summer, I am also participating in a spring cleanse/detox programme with essential oils (another one starts on 1 June so please email me if you would like the details).
With organisation a key theme for me at the moment, I am delighted to introduce you to my friend and colleague Cory Cook.....
Cory helps successful yet overwhelmed individuals transform their homes, offices and how they work to achieve personal and professional success.
Originally from Las Vegas, Cory worked for large companies such as the MGM Grand Hotel and USA TODAY Newspaper. Since constant organisation and time management were key, she studied methods to improve daily efficiency both at home and in the workplace. After formal training in organising, property presentation and time management, Cory launched her business - Cory Cook Professional Organising Services in 2010. London-based, she travels across the UK to restore order and control to her clients, so they can achieve more or simply strike the elusive live-work balance. Cory gives regular talks on organising, time management and personal productivity. She also contributes frequently to newspapers and magazines.
You can follow Cory on @coryfcook for tips on personal productivity, time management and organisation. Click here for Cory's website.
How is your back of house support? I asked Cory to share her tips on behind the scenes productivity tips..
If you're familiar with the running of a hotel or restaurant, you'll know there's a front of house and a back of house.
The back of house keeps operations functioning smoothly behind the scenes so that front of house is supported in their key roles.
I apply the same analogy to ourselves and how we operate.
Our 'front of house self' handles our daily work tasks.
Our 'back of house self' keeps routines in place that keep us organised, balanced and functioning so we can be productive and timely in our key work.
Are you giving yourself proper back of house support?
Here are 7 routines to help:
1. Get adequate sleep on a regular basis. When we're well-rested and restored, we have more energy to tackle the day ahead.
2. Set a nightly alarm to trigger 'wind-down time' so you get to bed at a consistent hour.
3. Get regular exercise. Regular exercise not only elevates our mood but also improves sleep quality, productivity and mental alertness.
4. Take time each night to ready yourself for tomorrow. Prepare what you can the night before e.g. lay out clothes, workout gear, prep rucksacks and handbags, make lunch, etc. You'll minimise the morning mayhem and feel an improved sense of control as the day gets started.
5. Spend a few quiet minutes at the beginning of the day reviewing your goals and the day's top priorities. You'll save time in execution and reset your focus on essential tasks.
6. Schedule regular breaks to recharge the brain and avoid mental fatigue.
7. Perform a daily tidy of your home and workspace, putting things away for next use. Manoeuvring through the day is easier and less stressful when our environments are ordered and clutter-free.
Your turn.
Identify one small action you can put in place each day to improve your back of house support.
Use an example from above if one resonates with you, or create your own.
Remember, keep it simple.
Just commit to one single improvement for now.
Start today. Repeat tomorrow. Keep it going.
Thanks Cory for your wonderful tips!
materials and marketing to more potential clients. This also means you build up a pool of experience which you can draw on.