There’s no place like home 👠

So we thought it would be a breeze to get paid without leaving the house- no peak hour traffic jams, no wardrobe battles and just being able to work efficiently from the comfort of our homes. Bzzzt- not so easy for some. I often have the attention span of a fly- I could be mid email typing and there is a noise outside or someone else in the house on the phone attempting to break the sound barrier, that compromises my concentration flow. My background is Greek. Obviously "Looney Tunes' Foghorn Leghorn" volume levels is an epidemic in itself.

Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz was on the money- "there's no place like home."

I’d like to share some tips to assist in staying focused, whilst working from home:

1. Choose a designated work space

Working from the kitchen table or on the sofa in front of the TV with a lap top literally on your lap isn’t going to be the most efficient solution. I recommend setting up a space as far away as possible, if possible, from social areas with minimal distractions. You may have a spare room or you can set up in the spare room or even garage- create a work destination within the space you live. With less distractions, your mind won’t divert and you will work more efficiently.

2. Set up a work space

After designating a work space, ensure it is free of clutter and encourages your work flow. Set up a desk with stationery you are used to having at your regular office so you don't need to get up to find that notepad or stapler, then get distracted on that detour. Ensure your chair is comfortable and that the room temperature doesn’t affect you. If you have the heater blaring, you may find it makes you sleepy and if you live where the climate is currently hot, ensure the air conditioner or fan you may have is appropriate so that you don’t put yourself at catching a cold… the least of things you need to take on right now! Typo and Kmart are great for stationery and desk accessories- I may or may not have a flamingo novelty pen and unicorn covered notebook.

3. Aromatherapy

I have loved the benefits of doTERRA oils to enhance both my physical and emotional health. Every morning, I add a few drops of my favourite oil to water in a diffuser. A great feature of the diffuser I have, is that it can be used for up to 12 hours and it fills the room with an energising scent, or the vibe that I need that suits my mood.

My favourite oils are:

Wild Orange: The energizing, revitalizing aroma of Wild Orange essential oil can provide energy on a stress-filled day. Wild Orange has a refreshing scent that helps to inspire feelings of energy, spontaneity, joy, and abundance. The next time you need to cheer yourself up, allow the bright aroma of Wild Orange to act as a pick-me-up during your day.

doTERRA Motivate®: A perfect blend of citrus and mint oils like Peppermint, Clementine, Basil, Melissa, and more, doTERRA Motivate Encouraging Blend promotes feelings of confidence, courage, and belief. This is a powerful oil for counteracting negative emotions of doubt, pessimism, and cynicism—helping you to remain motivated and excited about life.

I often need all the help I can get, so I use essential oil blends in roll on bottles (like the one above) which apply straight on to the skin. Each blend is carefully developed with a specific purpose in mind.

4. Structure the day

As a typical Capricorn, I am a creature of routine and it is important to stay in a routine to keep your flow intact, no matter where you find yourself on a zodiac chart. Do the things you normally would before going to your work place at home also- enjoy breakfast, have a coffee, take time for lunch, get some fresh air. But staying in your pyjamas til 2pm probably isn’t your best bet, even though we have all been there and it’s OK to do so from time to time. And while I haven’t factored in those in the work force that are simultaneously home-schooling, there’s a whole routine in that day too, which calls for additional and vital time management, patience, coffees and wine.

It definitely hasn’t been an easy couple of months with life changing in what often feels, all the time, so it is important to simply:

- remain aware and limit how much news you watch

- ask for help if you need it

- set and stick to work/ home life boundaries

- make time for yourself

If you would like to find out more about the essential oils I use or share what is working or not working for you, please reach out by clicking here.

Best wishes,

Nicole x