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Hey Owlets,
If you’ve been following me for a while then you’ll know that I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with stationery - for me I need to feel like my life is organised before I actually do anything (I know, that makes no sense but I promise it works). So this is actually my perfect week - it’s national stationery week! Every day has a different theme and I tend to have stationery but not know what to do with it, so I wanted to share a couple of tips I’ve found this week.
Day One: Make A Note
For day one, Nuco sent me a bright green notebook. Day one is on the theme of making notes which is one of my favourite things to do. My friend recommended the principle of “define and determine”. By making a note of what you want to do and how you’re going to do it, you’re more likely to achieve your goals. For me I do this by making a plan - either of what I want to do in life, or for blog posts. I write what I want to achieve, how I’m going to do this and a list of mini tasks that will help me complete the larger task as a whole.
Day Two: Pen and Paper
For day two I received some pens from Staedtler, who are encouraging people to write as a way to improve your creativity. My tip for day two is to make lists for EVERYTHING. If I have errands to run or work to do, writing a list helps me visualise what needs to be done and I’m more likely to do it. My biggest tip is that you have to write it on paper. Physically writing your list helps it get into your mind and gets you in the mood to be productive. I find that writing a to do list on a phone or laptop is too easy to close or have in the background, so it’s out of sight out of mind.
Day Three: Stationery The World Over
Day three of National Stationery Week is sponsored by the London Stationery Show - I didn’t know this was a thing but I would definitely go in the future. My tip for today’s theme is to meet up with other people to work together. As a freelancer it’s too easy to procrastinate, lose motivation or lack inspiration. Meeting up to work with other people gives you accountability as you’re all working together, and if there’s something you’re struggling with it helps to talk it over with your friends as they can help you organise your thoughts and give you a creative boost when it’s needed (I know from experience - I’m writing this at a cafe with a few friends!).
Day Four: Work Happy
On day four I received a T-Rex shaped highlighter from Mustard - I laughed at the time but it gave me inspiration for today’s tip which is to make your workspace as creative as you need to be. We all see the Pinterest pictures of super colourful workspaces with quirky objects neatly arranged on the desk, but it works. Pinning pictures to the wall, having a little fun with your desk like by adding colourful stationery and having inspiration at easy reach is a great way to give yourself a boost. Having magazines and print outs of articles at easy reach is great for a little midday motivation, and by looking at magazines rather than online it beats the endless black whole of scrolling through Pinterest for hours and losing all track of time.
Day Five: A Place For Everything
On day five I received some pieces from Santoro to help me get organised, which I really need. While it’s easy to give tips on organising your work space, it’s a case of do as I say, not as I do at the moment. My desk used to be tidy and inspirational, but it somehow descended into being covered in press releases, paperwork and products. To help tidy up my desk I used the folder that Santoro gave me to keep all my press releases in one place, put my magazines into a magazine tidy to keep them organised, and put my products into a basket so they’re all in one place. Organising my work space sort of feels like I’ve organised my mind too; I know where everything is so I can focus solely on what I need to do.
Day Six: Get Crafty
Day six was sponsored by Crafters Companion and I was given the most gorgeous metallic pens I’ve ever seen from Spectrum Noir. Throughout school I used to drive my teachers mad because we were always told to write in black biro and I hated it. It was something about the lack of colour that made it very difficult for me to read my notes back. In my personal notes and to do lists, I write in coloured pen, and almost illustrate the page. I almost do a lesser version of bullet journaling. I did try making a bullet journal but I’m too perfectionist so it annoyed me when it didn’t look as I’d imagined. In my mini version of the bullet journal I don’t really draw but I write different things in different colours, make coloured mind maps for ideas and draw little icons like an envelope for mail, just to help me see easily at a glance what I need to do.
Day Seven: Signature Sunday
On the final day of Stationery Week, I received a ball point pen from Cross, which is hands down the most special pen I’ve ever used - the brand was actually founded by jewellery makers. While I try to write things down rather than typing, I tend to grab the nearest cheap biro in a rush and it looks like a 5 year old has angrily scrawled something, and with my bad wrist it hurts to write. Using a decent pen has helped me write neater, and write with less pain because it’s designed to be more comfortable. I know it’s only sort of related but my final tip is to invest in yourself. For me having a proper pen has helped me be more productive but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a material thing. Investing time in improving yourself, investing in courses or seminars to help you improve, or investing in quality materials that you need for work. All of these things will help you be more productive, more knowledgable or more creative.
Hopefully these tips have helped you get organised, and will help you be more creative in the future. I’ve really enjoyed giving myself a themed challenge every day, and I’ve definitely seen my work improve. I love to treat myself to new stationery every so often - I find that I get excited for all of the ideas I want to put in my new notebook and it gives me an extra push to be excited to get to work. If you're looking for somewhere to buy stationery, I recommend The Works for affordable but pretty stationery, or Etsy if you're really looking to treat yourself or you want something personalised. What’s your best tip for being productive? Let me know in the comments or on my Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Love and Feathers,
The Owlet 💜
You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest
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