A SMART Start

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Goal setting is BIG this time of year. But the best goals are smart ones. Or should I say SMART ones.

SMART Goals

 

Will Your goals be SMART in 2013?

A Word with Sarah Webb

Sarah Webb is the talent and brains behind Vivenda, a fabulous service that frees up your time and feeds you and your family nutritious and delicious meals.

I asked her to share some insights into how she manages to keep on top of things, and sane, while running her business.  Here’s what she said…

Sarah, I know you have a lot “on your plate”, do you prefer a paper or electronic diary to keep track of all your appointments?  Both.  Electronic so that I get pop-up reminders, I use my iPhone; but also paper so that I can look at it if I’m making an appointment with someone while I’m on the phone.  I have to be very conscientious about keeping both updated.

I’ll bet!  What’s your favourite iPhone App? Urbanspoon. I can feel like an in-the-know local wherever I am by checking out the restaurant reviews.

Tell us about a favourite organising tool.  It would have to be Excel, I love a good spreadsheet!  I like to be quite systematic about things and keep good track of what is going on in the business and Excel lets me do this simply & effectively.  For example, looking at my favourite spreadsheet I can tell you that my most popular dishes are Chicken, Leek & Pancetta Pie and Meatballs Napoletana!

Yum!  And that is very organised.  How do you reward yourself for your achievements?  Usually it’s by buying myself a new tool or gadget for the kitchen, I got some beautiful new tart tins to celebrate my first 6 months in business.

I can see a theme there.  You are very passionate about food.  How do you spend your down time?  I hang out with my niece and nephews as much as I can. They live 3 minutes away so I manage to find an excuse to drop in on them very regularly!

Thanks for spending time with us, Sarah!

New Career Discovery Sessions

Many compassionate women who are seeking extra income are struggling with the problem of how to start their Professional Organiser business.

It’s a shame, because the solution is actually right at their fingertips, they just don’t see it.  Maybe you can relate to this too.

Which got me thinking, what could I offer that would get you started quickly, with exactly what you need to solve this problem?

Well, I came up with the perfect solution.  I’m opening up 10 spots to coach with me – at no cost – for 30 minutes!

It’s my 30-minute “New Career” Discovery Session.

The only thing is, with only 10 spots open, these are going to be snapped up fast.  And to be considered you need to act now.

In this New Career Discovery Session, I’ll walk you through:

• The hidden challenges that are unconsciously sabotaging you from starting or growing your new career as a Professional Organiser
• Creating a crystal clear vision for your ultimate business success and the wonderful lifestyle you’d like your business to provide
• How to get renewed, re-energised and inspired to turn your business into a highly profitable, revenue-generating machine
• The one simple step you can take immediately to get into action

If you’re ready to stop wondering what to do and start building your business, then I urge you to register for one of these 10 limited discovery session spots with me right now.  These sessions will be held during January and there are limited appointment times so please act soon!

HERE’S HOW TO REGISTER – DEADLINE is January 11(and how to get your gift of my “Quotes to Organise By” collection of 215 organising-related inspiring quotes)

Simply send an email to angela@creatingorder.com.au to answer these simple questions.

IMPORTANT: You must answer all the questions to be eligible for this gift discovery session.

I will then send you an email with a link for the session times available.

1. What is your name and tell me a little bit about your existing Professional Organiser business, or why you want to start one?
2. When it comes to starting or growing your business, what are you biggest challenges?
3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest), how important is it to you to get these solved… and why?
4. What is the #1 obstacle that’s kept you from solving these challenges?
5. Where would you like your business to be in 6 months?  12 months?
6. What is your phone number and email address?

New Training Package for 2012

I am super excited to announce the new-look 5-day Become a Professional Organiser Training Package.  The first class is on next February.

Become a Professional Organiser

5 Day Training Package

Includes:

• supporting material
• tailored advice
• all meals on 4 days
• hands on experience
• certificate on successful completion

Topics covered include:

• What to expect on the Job
• What it takes to be a great Professional Organiser
• A Day in the Life of a Professional Organiser
• Myth-busting
• Ethical Practice
• Converting Enquiries into Bookings
• Essential Professional Organiser’s tools
• Tips and Strategies for Working with all kinds of Clients
• Creating strong Client Relationships
• Case Studies
• Beyond Consulting
• Marketing your Professional Organiser Business
• Hands on Client Session/s
• Review of that Session
• Q & A Time

Training Dates for 2012 are:

• February 6th to 10th
• May 7th to 11th
• August 13th to 17th
• October 29th to November 2nd

Classes take place in Port Melbourne, Victoria. Client experience will take place in metropolitan Melbourne.

Your Investment is:

• $2500 for AAPO members
• $2600 for non-AAPO members

To book, call 0403 164 468 or contact us here

Marketing Your Professional Organiser Business

• Know your market
• Know what works
• and what doesn’t
• Tuesday, November 8th, 10am to noon
• Port Melbourne
• $220
• includes comprehensive notes and morning tea
• call Angela on 0403 164 468 or email angela (at) creatingorder.com.au to book

A Word with Kate Eldred

Kate Eldred from Off the Page eMarketing helps businesses get their message out in a most productive way. She knows how to get them the most bang for their buck, so I’m thrilled she took time out to have a word with us.

Kate, tell us, how did you get into the work you do?  I wanted to do something I could wake up and look forward to every day….that and not spend over two hours on a bus to get to and from each day!

And how do you stay on top of your to do list?  I update my trusty Spirex notebook at the start of every week with what needs to be done…. Then I use pretty highlighters to cross things of my list as they get done! The more I get through, the prettier my to do list looks!

Love that!  Now, I know you have a lot of work coming in. Which tasks do you delegate?  Complex programming issues and troubleshooting. I love solving these types of problems, but when it takes a hours out of my day, it’s often cheaper (financially and emotionally!) to outsource to a super geek.

Good move.  Do you have a favourite iPhone app?  Dropbox – helps me to feel completely in control when I’m not in the office.

Is your diary paper or electronic?  Electronic – updating my outlook calendar quickly at my desk, and syncing it to my phone to have on the go with me.

What’s the hardest thing about getting/staying organised?  Emails….you can be completely organized for the day, but a few emails (or phone calls) can completely derail best laid plans!

I think many people can relate to that.  And finally, how do you spend your down time?  Walking the dog or going for a jog.

Thanks Kate.  You’re an inspiration!

 

A Word with Angela Esnouf

In our A Word with… series, you’ve been hearing from people about what makes them tick and how being organised helps them.  But so far you haven’t heard from me.

Recently I was interviewed by Narelle Todd for her Organizers Toolkit website.  We spoke about how I got into the business, the types of clients I work with, my role as President of the Australasian Association of Professional Organisers and what’s going on for me now.

Listen to the interview here.

Sunday Reflections

Much of the stress that people feel doesn’t come from having too much to do.

It comes from not finishing what they started.

~ David Allen

Like quotes? There are 214 more in our

Quotes to Organise By – an organised collection of inspiring quotes

A Word with Imogen Lamport

Once again I bring you an interview with a woman who gets things done. I spoke to image consultant, Imogen Lamport from Bespoke Image, about how organisation helps her get those things done.

Imogen, how did you get into the work you do?   I have never had a ‘manufacturing standard’ body shape and from my teenage years started wondering why some clothes worked and looked great on me, and others looked atrocious and were completely unflattering, even though those clothes looked fabulous on similar height/weight friends.  The more I read about colours and styles and body shapes, the more intrigued I became.  At the age of 34 I met an image consultant and we got talking and she noticed a flair for image in me and suggested I train to become an image consultant.  I realised that this was the job I’d always wanted to do but never knew existed.  I can’t tell you how blessed and lucky I feel to have stumbled into my ideal career.

Which tasks do you delegate?  Who to?  I delegate my bookkeeping to a fantastic bookkeeper. I realised early on running my business that it’s important if you don’t have the skills to do something, then to get someone else who has them in, to do the task.  My time is best spent consulting, creating products and tools and writing my blog rather than trying to do a bank reconciliation or BAS statement.  I’ve also found a fantastic car mechanic who comes to my home and does it all for me right here while I keep working.

What’s your favourite iPhone app?  Notes: when I’m out and about and I have an idea for anything, from a blog post topic to a great birthday present for a friend I note it down there.

Diary – paper or electronic?  Paper diary, because I am often out and about (in the car, in the shops etc, my office is quite mobile) and if I am talking on the phone trying to pin down a time with a client for a consultation, I need to be able to see my week in front of me.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?  Something like 80 pairs.  They have been collected over a decade or so and I only keep what is in great condition.  I need boots for winter, sandals for summer, shoes to dress up, shoes to walk the dog.  When I was about 20 I went to the doctor complaining of foot pain.  He said to me “either you can wear different shoes each day, as each shoe rubs on a different part of the foot, or you can have painful and expensive podiatry operations, as when you wear the same shoes each day it causes bunions and corns more quickly”.  So I took his advice and started wearing different shoes.

What’s the hardest thing about getting/staying organised?  The constant influx of paper into my life and the lack of time I have as a single mother of two primary school aged kids.

What’s a favourite organising tool?   The Calender plugin for my wordpress blog www.insideoutstyleblog.com allows me to schedule posts and see a month at a time so I can move posts around so the flow (depending on topic and what’s on) works well and is balanced.

Thanks so much Imogen. I think a lot of people can related to the challenges you face as a single parent and business owner.  And I love that you found a car mechanic to simplify your life as well. The “D is for Delegate” message can be extended to so many areas. And finally, thank you for the work you do, from all of us who are not ‘manufacturing standard’.

A Word with Amanda Cox

When I asked Amanda Cox to be a part of our interview series, she jokingly responded, “love to help seeing as I am such an organisation freak! Pahahahaha”  🙂  She may joke that organising is not her strong point, but I know how much she gets done, so she must be doing something right!

So let’s get into it…

Amanda Cox, aka Mad Cow

How did you get into the work you do? I got into doing what I do (an online support website and safe haven for Australian Mums) out of my own needs. Helping my husband run a business, studying, raising two kids and having succumbed to postnatal depression, but also having a sense of humour and the ability to have a laugh at life, other websites and forums were too fluffy, too serious and I just didn’t fit. So I created one. It has grown considerably since, and now includes articles, ecourses, products, downloads and a paid membership (and more, I’m sure!) which has allowed me to indulge in stuff I love doing, like writing.

How do you stay on top of your list? Hmmmm…  great question. Usually, I have to break it up into smaller chunks and, subsequently, smaller piles. Then I put those smaller piles into small piles on the floor and rest my feet on them. That’s about as close as I come to staying on top of my List. I do find breaking things down, for example “Finish writing this 400 page document” becomes “write chapter 1” – is less overwhelming and actually doable! Then I sit on it – literally. Just another way I keep on top of it … 🙂

Diary – Paper or Electronic? Paper diary! I do have my phone which I keep on me as little reminders, but I love to be able to see my whole day laid out before me. It’s easier to see just what chaos I have on. I’m a “day to a page” kinda chick. Week to an opening does my head in! Who has that little on?????

I like to write details of my appointments, too, so I like to have room to add them. Also, it makes me look very important when I say “Oh, I have to check my diary” and flip through pages. This also works when you’re on the phone, if you flip the pages loudly. I have to admit, I’m still looking for the elusive, “just right” version (so much so, I’m creating my own).

My favourite organising tools are my paper diary – of which I have two in circulation. One is for my Life, the other my business projects and to dos. I’ve also created a set of what I refer to as Mayhem Managers, which help keep not only me but the rest of the family in check … takes a HUGE load off my shoulders when I can just point a finger towards the fridge (obviously, where the Managers are) and not have to think for three other people. I LOVE it. They are also my sanity savers … if I forget to utilise them, my life goes into (more) chaos, and I feel my mood slipping.

If you could be or do anything, what would it be? I would LOVE to be able to just focus on my writing. I don’t have a specific project in mind, but have several going at once, novels, blogs, e-courses and e-products, facts sheets, articles … just to be a writer would be fabulous. Also, Professional Holiday Taker would be nice at times. Just not all the time – only when I need it (hmmmm, then I could write about it, yes?)

How do you spend your down time? Watching Thomas the Tank Engine and other children’s DVDs and wishing I could get back to doing some work, and that I had some “proper” down time where I could go to a growed up’s restaurant or movie …

Thanks so much for sharing your busy, productive life with us, Amanda.

Amanda Cox (aka Mad Cow) is the founder of Australia’s safe-haven for mums and online parent support website Real Mums (www.realmums.com.au), a writer, speaker, author, wife, mum to three boys and avoider of housework and the joining of committees.