Having a notebook or yearly diary on hand is just part of living an organised life, it’s how you utilise it as part of your every day that is the key tool to organisation. We spoke to friends of AOL on the top ways they organise their lives to maximise productivity with balance using their favourite AOL stationery products. 

Clare van den Berg, interior designer, co-owner of Daphnes Taverna in Ponsonby, Auckland.

1. Writing daily lists the night before and being as organised as I can the night before.  
2. The less I have to do the next morning the more it makes me focus on the day
3. Having focus and clarity- this is through balance- Meditation & Yoga and alone moments to reflect & to just ‘be’
   
   

Maeva Heim, the Founder & CEO of Bread Beauty Supply

1. I like to make lists, and I love crossing things off my list even more! 
2. I spent at least an hour each day noting what needs to be done that day, and that week.
3. I plan my year in blocks, starting for the biggest goals and then break those down into medium goals and then into little tasks that make up the daily and weekly work. 

Jess Molina, storyteller & Founder of Loudly Quietly.

1. I have a very specific way of writing my to-do list for the day. I call it my WIP and coffee time and I love doing this first thing in the morning when I get down to my home office. I have three prompts on top of my WIP list and I fill this out before I even write what I need to do for the day: “I am…”, “I have…”, “Grateful for…”. I don’t always have the time to do intense journaling during the day but I still want to incorporate a bit of that practice in an easier way.
2. Time tracker for tasks so I can see how much time I spend on projects, how often I get distracted and let my mind wander, and where I put my energy in. I’ve learnt through this practice that I’m bloody useless from 1 - 3 ish in the afternoon and struggle to focus/stay motivated so I’ve been able to schedule my day around that and let myself rest or do more creative tasks during that time.
3. Having weekly priorities and breaking them down into days/tasks/activities so it’s not too overwhelming! I’m a serial procrastinator and this keeps me accountable!

Jade Yarbrough, Co-Founder of  Merci Maison

1. Write my daily to-do list before I start my work day or any meetings 
2. Blocking out time in my calendar (to prioritise and meet deadlines)
3. Exercising, even if it's just a walk in the morning. It makes me so much more productive and clear headed for the day

Tessa James, actress & interior designer at AKI Design Studio

1. Planning! I am a huge planner. My husband and I look after our 2 kids with no help or family around, so there is a lot of co-ordinating going on.
2. Schedule - lock your planning in!
3. Preparation -  Preparing clothes & everything you need the night before, really eliminates a lot of stress on a busy day.
   
   

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