We’ve been highlighting the home workspaces of our AOL friends with our #WFHwithAOL series, now we step inside the An Organised Life teams’ WFH set-ups and the desk essentials they must have.  

Sara Pull, Sales & PR

Where have you set up your home workspace & why?

I’ve set up my workspace on the dining room table, it has ample room for me to spread out and get lots of natural light throughout the day. Our living/dining area also leads out onto a balcony which I can move onto to get some afternoon sun while finishing up my work day. 

WFH Playlist

My friend recently shared a playlist with me called female energy by St. South, highly recommend it.  

Fave AOL products

I love my A4 Diary that I use for my daily to-do list, I also keep a Plain Leather Notebook close by to make notes during the day & jot down anything important during team calls. 

Go-To Desk Snack

Tea and lots of it & popcorn, which is probably my favourite snack of all time. I’ve been known to eat popcorn for dinner on many occasions - I love it that much!

Best tip for staying productive

Being aware of when you are most productive is my best tip. For me it's the first thing in the morning so I’ve utilised that now that I’m WFH with a really good morning routine. I start my day nice and early around 6.30/7am - I get through finalising my to-do list (I always draft one the night before), clear emails and action anything urgent all while having my morning coffee in my pyjamas before having a shower & resetting for the rest of the days tasks.

Pro's & Cons of working from home

I’m enjoying the sense of calm that being at home during this time evokes, I live right on a park so the ability to have a 10 minute reset outdoors in between working blocks if I need is a definite pro along with eating a good breakfast at home (I’m partial to a coffee and croissant when working from the AOL office, hopefully this time at home will break that bad habit!).  I do however miss our beautiful office and having face to face time with the team & a barista that knows my coffee order!

Podcasts we are listening to

The goop Podcast, specifically any episodes around spirituality and wellness. 

Samantha Holley, Online Assistant

Where have you set up your home workspace & why?

I tend to float around my apartment and move to several different locations throughout the day. I do have a spare room with a desk setup but by the afternoon I have usually moved out to my dining table where it feels more spacious and I can open up our balcony doors for fresh air. 

WFH Playlist

I have just started following the brand Orseund Iris’s Spotify. They do some great playlists for working. Boogie Baby & Sundays are my current go to playlists.  

Fave AOL products

My AOL must haves are my weekly diary and Lined leather notebook. These are always near me. Perfect for managing my schedule and deadlines with ease and scribbling quick notes and reminders. 

Go-To Desk Snack

Tamari Almonds. I have only just discovered these and I am obsessed!  Perfect for a tasty, healthy desk snack. 

Best tip for staying productive

How you start your morning is so important for setting up a productive day. I like to get up early, do an online workout and then be sitting down at my desk ready to get started by 7.30-8am. To ensure I get the most out of my day I complete my hardest tasks first, when my mind is most fresh and focused. It sets the tone for the rest of the day and I always feel more motivated and accomplished when I can tick those off my list first. 

Pro's & Cons of working from home

I enjoy having a sense of control over my schedule and love being able to make fresh healthy lunches and snacks at home everyday. I do miss getting dressed up and leaving the house for work and I struggle with shutting off in the evening and find myself still working on my laptop in bed. 

Podcasts we are listening to

I am always listening to my favourite business podcast How I built That with Guy Raz and Ted Talks Daily.