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Working from home can be a challenge so ensuring you have a functional work space goes a long way towards increasing productivity and avoiding distractions.
Whether you work from home full-time like me, split your time between the office and home, or simply need a space for personal admin, … View moreWorking from home can be a challenge so ensuring you have a functional work space goes a long way towards increasing productivity and avoiding distractions.
Whether you work from home full-time like me, split your time between the office and home, or simply need a space for personal admin, focus on creating a space that’s functional yet inviting.
DESIGN A HOME OFFICE THAT WORKS FOR YOU
Creating an effective home office starts with identifying the right room or space in your house.
While most of us dream of a large custom designed office to work from in, don’t be overly concerned with the size of your space. Instead focus more on working with what you have. That may be converting a spare room into an office, or utilising a nook in your living room.
One day we plan on building a studio office in our backyard to run my business from, but for now, it’s a case of working with what we have. In our small home that meant converting an oversized bedroom into a multi-purpose room.
Personally for me to be productive, I need a light, calming space, one free of distractions to maximise inspiration and creative thinking. I gave the once dark bedroom a mini makeover by painting the walls in a fresh, crisp white colour - Dulux Okarito.
Choosing the right desk is about identifying how much space you need to work from. I don’t need a large desktop, prefering one that is simple in design. I sourced this one from Freedom Furniture for $250.00, keeping only my essential items on display.
I find I get bored with interiors easily and like to keep the space fresh by changing art and décor around me. Surround yourself with things you love, place a rug under your feet for the cooler months and add life to your office with plants.
Don’t forget about creating a relaxing space in your home office too, which can be as simple as adding an arcmchair. I like to have somewhere comfy to sit when I’m reviewing documents. Relocating my hanging chair from ico traders to sit in the window near my desk gives me the chance to get away from the desk, while still completing work.
LIGHTING
Good natural lighting is important. A well lit space not only helps lift your mood but also assists productivity. When converting the bedroom I reorientated the layout to place my desk near a large window.
Additionally, look to add a desk lamp for late afternoon and evening work as overhead lights won’t suffice.
ORGANISATIONAL SOLUTIONS
There’s nothing like sitting down to an organised desk to jump start your day.
A clean and tidy desk allows you to focus on the task at hand and keep your mind clear.
Too often our home office becomes a dumping space with clutter piling up. Create effective organisation and storage solutions while maximising the desk area. I like a clear and tidy desktop so I utilise a locker cabinet underneath my desk to store and access files I regularly need.
For all remaining paper work or receipts, I file and archive these to well organised digital folders with back ups to the cloud.
To keep clutter at bay, get into the habit of once a week clean out - sorting through the clutter. I do this each Friday so when the new week rolls around on Monday I can get stuck into my work and not be distracted by mess.
If you have one password you use for everything and hit ‘remind me later’ when an update pops up on your phone, you’re not alone. For many, cyber safety is something we know is important, but feels too hard or a hassle to do something about.
Fortunately, keeping your data secure is much … View moreIf you have one password you use for everything and hit ‘remind me later’ when an update pops up on your phone, you’re not alone. For many, cyber safety is something we know is important, but feels too hard or a hassle to do something about.
Fortunately, keeping your data secure is much easier than you’d think. Cyber Smart Week is happening around New Zealand from 27 November to 1 December and it’s all about doing one thing to make a big difference. The Cyber Smart website has all the tips you need to get your family and workmates on board.
Have your garden worked on by a keen Totara Park woman who has done courses in landscaping and horticulture.
Tel 021 614821
White Ribbon Family Fun Day TODAY at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt gates open at 12:30pm. Great FREE family fun, bouncy castles, face painting, round about, big bubble guy, FREE food and great music and entertainment on stage for all the family. The big bikes arrive at 1pm come along for a heap of … View moreWhite Ribbon Family Fun Day TODAY at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt gates open at 12:30pm. Great FREE family fun, bouncy castles, face painting, round about, big bubble guy, FREE food and great music and entertainment on stage for all the family. The big bikes arrive at 1pm come along for a heap of family fun.
White Ribbon Family Fun Day TOMORROW at Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt gates open at 12:30pm. Great free family fun, bouncy castles, face painting, round about, big bubble guy, free food and great music for all the family. The big bikes arrive at 1pm come along for a heap of family fun.
White Ribbon Family Fun Day THIS SUNDAY 26th November Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt gates open at 12:30pm. Free bouncy castles & roundabout, big bubble guy, face painting, free food and great artists to entertain all the family.
It's no surprise that Neighbourly members love their cats - but we want to know how you celebrate the festive season with them.
Is Santa bringing your cat a present? Will she be served something special or an extra treat or two? Take our 2 minute survey and we'll send you a FREE … View moreIt's no surprise that Neighbourly members love their cats - but we want to know how you celebrate the festive season with them.
Is Santa bringing your cat a present? Will she be served something special or an extra treat or two? Take our 2 minute survey and we'll send you a FREE sample of our new FANCY FEAST PUREE KISS, just for taking part!
Available in small treat serves, FANCY FEAST PUREE KISS are the perfect treat for your feline friend this Christmas.
Wishing every Kiwi Cat a very Merry Christmas from FANCY FEAST.
Saturday 25 November marks White Ribbon Day, an annual event drawing attention to men's violence towards women. New Zealanders are taking The Pledge and making a commitment to stand up, speak out - and act.
Have you watched our film Raise Our Men? Featuring interviews with nine Kiwi men, … View moreSaturday 25 November marks White Ribbon Day, an annual event drawing attention to men's violence towards women. New Zealanders are taking The Pledge and making a commitment to stand up, speak out - and act.
Have you watched our film Raise Our Men? Featuring interviews with nine Kiwi men, it demonstrates that change is possible when men are shown and supported to choose a different respectful path. You'll find clips on our website.
Garage sale. 13 Clapham grove Stokes Valley. Sat Nov 25. 7am - 10am. Lots of kids stuff.
The Trade Me Property Price Index shows the national average for October rising by 2.7% to $623,700 from September.
It's been lean pickings for buyers over the last five months, with little housing stock available nationwide, but October saw the market perk up with 30% more listings on the … View moreThe Trade Me Property Price Index shows the national average for October rising by 2.7% to $623,700 from September.
It's been lean pickings for buyers over the last five months, with little housing stock available nationwide, but October saw the market perk up with 30% more listings on the site than in September.
Trade Me Property head Nigel Jeffries says that this time of year is usually buoyant, but it's taken longer than usual for the market to kick into action.
“Usually by this time of year we expect to see the property market in full swing, but with the election in play it’s pushed everything back. We’re starting to see some of the movement we’d normally expect in this peak buying and selling season," he says.
Auckland property listings on Trade Me buck the downward trend revealed by the latest QV figures, rising by 2.2% from last year to $925,300.
“If we compare this with October 2010, we can see the massive changes in the Auckland property market over the past seven years. Since 2010, the number of houses for sale has dropped 58 per cent which has forced the average asking price up 88 per cent from a relatively tiny $487,250."
This trend is mirrored in the capital, with average asking prices surging 11.7% from last year.
“While Auckland has stalled in recent months, the capital’s property market has been surging ahead. It’s very common to see the bubble from a large property market spread - first it was the halo regions of Northland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty and now Wellington looks to be the next cab off the rank. We’ve seen consistently strong growth and the market isn’t showing any signs of slowing."
The provinces also performed well in October, with record average prices in Hawke's Bay ($487,300), Manawatu ($309,700) and Waikato ($534,900). Marlborough in the South Island also broke its previous record, with an average asking price of $464,650.
Source: landlords.co.nz
Choose Kind is the movement inspired by the story, Wonder. The movement encourages people to create and spread more kindness in the world by inspiring people to practice random acts of kindness every day. Want to join the movement too? It’s easy.
Go to choosekind.org.nz and sign the pledge to … View moreChoose Kind is the movement inspired by the story, Wonder. The movement encourages people to create and spread more kindness in the world by inspiring people to practice random acts of kindness every day. Want to join the movement too? It’s easy.
Go to choosekind.org.nz and sign the pledge to show your commitment to start choosing kind. Don’t forget to share your pledge on your social channels and spread more kindness into your world! Check out movie trailer & NZ movie times now.
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Want to win tickets to see Wonder? We have 5 double passes to give away! Just like or thank this post and we'll put you in the draw! Winners contacted 4 December.
Neighbourly members - catch Santa at your local Harvey Norman this weekend. Head in store for your FREE 6”x4” photo with Santa between 11am – 2pm this Saturday and Sunday. Looking for the perfect gift for friends and family? How about a Santa Photo pack! … View moreNeighbourly members - catch Santa at your local Harvey Norman this weekend. Head in store for your FREE 6”x4” photo with Santa between 11am – 2pm this Saturday and Sunday. Looking for the perfect gift for friends and family? How about a Santa Photo pack! Find out more about Santa's visit now.
PS - Don’t forget about our Black Friday Deals available online and in store!
White Ribbon Family Fun Day THIS SUNDAY Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt gates open at 12:30pm. Free bouncy castles & roundabout, big bubble guy, face painting, free food and great artists to entertain all the family.
CALLING ALL BOATIES: Boat Jumble Car Boot Sale is happening this Saturday 25th November!
Come on down to Seaview Marina and sell, swap or donate any unwanted boating/sailing/fishing gear! Anything boating related; from equipment to safety gear to books!
AND bring your life-jackets for a FREE … View moreCALLING ALL BOATIES: Boat Jumble Car Boot Sale is happening this Saturday 25th November!
Come on down to Seaview Marina and sell, swap or donate any unwanted boating/sailing/fishing gear! Anything boating related; from equipment to safety gear to books!
AND bring your life-jackets for a FREE check! Friendly Wellington Harbour staff will check your life-jackets for free, just look for their trailer!
For more info, email our Harbour Ranger on James.Allen@gw.govt.nz
The nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system is happening this Sunday between 6pm and 7pm.
No need to sign up or download an app. Just check your phone is on them list of capable makes and models and ensure your updates are up to date.
www.civildefence.govt.nz...
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