Working from home with Mel Colman, Phoebe Holden & Fliss Grennell
Introducing a new series called Working From Home With... Where we feature the home workspaces of some inspiring friends of the brand around the globe & chat to them about how they are staying productive, organised, & positive. Plus they let us in on their workspace essentials too.
And.... We want to hear from you too! Simply tag or DM us your home workspace & each week we will share our faves from the AOL community too. You can also go in the draw to win the Ultimate Workspace Set when you tag @anorganisedlife #WFHwithAOL on Instagram. We are giving away 1 set each week of April.
To start us off, this week we spoke to...
Name: Mel Colman
Occupation: General Manager, Zulu & Zephyr
Where have you set up your new home workspace and why did you pick this spot?
Excitingly, we just moved into a new apartment – not far from where we were on the southern end of the Gold Coast.
Our new home has a beautiful built-in office space with an abundance of natural light filtering through the open timber slatting, so naturally, this was the perfect spot to set up shop.
What's your strategy for staying productive while working from home?
No matter where I am in the world, I like to apply the same routine and structure to my day – whether I am working from home, the office or overseas.
If I'm at home, my partner and I love to spend the mornings together – we typically start each day at the beach with a coffee in hand.
I work closely with our global retailer partners and clients, so I’ll return home and jump on emails early due to the time difference.
Without question, I dress the same working from home as I do from the office. Unfortunately, active or casual wear is not an option – this definitely affects the way I work. Also having a clean workspace is essential to my productivity and drive, so at the end of each day, everything must be hidden away.
Talk us through your workspace essentials currently?
I have a few key essentials that never change.
I use my AOL Daily Planner for appointments, meetings as well as my day-to-day and week-to-week tasks and I will highlight these off as completed.
Second is my iCal; I'd be lost without this one. I'm super organised in the workplace, but in my personal life, I have been guilty of double-booking myself with friends, but now everything goes into my iCal. Otherwise, it most likely won't happen.
And just recently, we got ourselves the AOL A3 calendar – with a baby on the way and juggling our busy work schedules, we both needed to stay connected and up to date with family events, doctor appointments and scans et cetera. And if I am honest, baby brain is a real thing - mums ain't playin'.
What do you love the most about working from home?
Fortunately, I work 1 day per week at home and 4 days in our Byron Bay headquarters regularly, so for me working from home 5 days per week has been a nice break from the daily commute. I've been taking advantage of the extra time in the morning and afternoon to get back into some exercise with a walk and hopefully soon (post-self-isolation) I'll be back into my reformer Pilates.
And what about the most challenging? Do you have a strategy to overcome this challenge?
I miss our team, the face-to-face connection and ZZ energy! But we're getting creative and finding new ways to adapt and connect remotely with group chats, calls and funny updates throughout the day, which has kept us all connected (and sane).
Top 5 songs on your WFH playlist
In the mornings, I'll play Frank Ocean or The Weeknd radio on Spotify.
For the afternoon, I am currently obsessed with Zoe Foster Blake's playlist 'Aperols in the afternoon sun'.
Name: Phoebe Holden
Occupation: Marketing Manager / Photographer
Where have you set up your new home workspace & why did you pick this spot?
I made the decision to return home to my parents house on Waiheke Island. I find this a very safe and special space so it felt like the best place to be.
What's your strategy for staying productive while working from home?
I make a to-do list each morning of what needs completing - the satisfaction of crossing each task motivates me. For me it’s also really important to take fresh air breaks - even just sitting outside for a few minutes with a glass of water in between tasks makes a massive difference to my overall productivity.
Talk us through your workspace essentials currently?
-A pot of earl grey tea (topped up regularly)
-A good pen with nice ink (I’m a stationary nerd...)
-My diary
-My AirPods with a book from audible (currently reading/listening to my year of rest and relaxation) or a podcast episode (currently obsessed with table manners)
What are you loving the most about working from home?
I’m loving spending time with mum and dad but mostly just the opportunity to breathe. Although this period has been unsettling and I’ve struggled with the transition, I think I am finding my stride and I’ll use this time to reconnect with my creativity, explore new mediums and prioritise self love.
And how about the most challenging? Do you have a strategy to overcome this challenge?
The most challenging has definitely been getting on top of my mental health, accepting we can’t change what’s happening and learning to stay focused and productive regardless. When it all gets a little too much I let myself switch off and read a chapter of my book or spend some time with my cat - anything comforting, for me the most important thing is just supporting and taking care of each other as we navigate through this.
Top 5 songs on your WFH playlist?
I’ve been thrashing and loving the Georgia Alice wfh playlist but from my personal playlist I've been playing :
- Rip it up - orange juice
- Low brow - Chelsea jade
- You’re the best - wet
- On melancholy hill - gorillaz
- Pablo Picasso - the modern lovers
Name: Fliss Grennell
Occupation: Advertising Manager at Denizen
Where have you set up your new home workspace & why did you pick this spot?
My husband Olie and I recently moved into a 3-bedroom house which really came at the right time because we have a lot more space than we did previously. Thank goodness! I’ve chosen to set up my home office in the smaller of the spare rooms as it feels office appropriate, and also has a big window with amazing natural light.
What's your strategy for staying productive while working from home?
I’m trying to stick to my normal working day routine. I get up at 6:30am and either go for a walk, or do a live stream yoga class or at home Pilates session which makes me feel like it’s just a normal day. I also brought my computer, desk and chair from the office so it kind of just feels like I’m at the office. We are having daily morning WIP meetings to discuss the day, and then I just get on with it.
Talk us through your workspace essentials currently?
The Organised Life daily planner is my savior! I also need my Dr. Lipp balm, Aesop hand cream and lots of water.
What are you loving the most about working from home?
Hanging out with my cat Marmalade all day, he’s loving having me at home. (Sorry Olie)
And how about the most challenging? Do you have a strategy to overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge is obviously not being able to leave home, and also the weekends which might not feel like weekends! I’m just taking each day as it comes, and trying to upskill as much as possible through reading, cooking (which is really not my forte), as well as doing things around the house so that when this is all over we can have friends and family over all the time! I miss everyone so much! I mean the apps are fun and all, but it’s just not the same.
Top 5 songs on your WFH playlist?
1. You didn’t know that though, Blackalicious
2. You’re not good enough, Blood Orange
3. Weary, Solange
4. Lost one, Jay-Z
5.Dang! Mac Miller ft. Anderson .Paak