HOW TO :: Create your Home Command Centre in 3 Easy Steps

School is back, swimming and cricket start next week, and forms and dates to remember are flooding in from all directions. Sound familiar? This could easily get overwhelming and out of control, if it were not for my trusty Home Command Centre - aka drop zone; launch pad; flight deck... there are many different things to call it - basically, the one central point in my home where I can manage my family's schedules, activities, and "stuff". These control centres can come in many different sizes and formats, and today I am going to show you how to create one that is just right for your needs in 3 easy steps.

Step 1 - Choose a location

Rather than choosing a layout that you like and trying to find somewhere to put it, choose the location first and design the layout to fit accordingly. Setting it up in the right location is essential for its success.
Where do things like your keys, mail, and kids' school bags naturally accumulate in your home? It could be the kitchen bench, the dining table, or near the front door - but that is the best location to use. Change is not often embraced easily, and introducing a new system for your family is change enough. By using the natural flow and existing habits of your family, you are much more likely to make this work.

Image sources - Left: Operation Organization; Right: Two Twenty One

Step 2 - Decide what functions it needs to serve

Are you a "shoes off at the door" family, or would you like your command centre to include a basket or shelf for shoes? What kind of sporting equipment and kit bags need to fit in there, or are these left in the garage? How many family members do you have? Your command centre can consist of a single notice board, or an entire wall full of hooks, hangers, shelves, containers and calendars - it all depends on your unique situation and requirements. Write a list of functions you would like your command centre to serve, and then you will be able to determine which organisational tools you'll need to meet those needs.

Image sources - Left: Real Simple; Right: Get On With It Already

Step 3 - Altogether now... Try, adjust, repeat

Set up your command centre in your chosen location from step 1, with the required tools from step 2, and keep the family involved with its design. Depending on which self-help book you read, it is generally believed to take between 21 and 30 days to change a habit - IF you consistently practice it every day. Give your family some time to trial the new system and see how they feel about it. Ask for their feedback and make adjustments accordingly. The more input they have, the more likely they'll be to accept the new system. Don't throw in the towel if it doesn't seem to be working after a few days - allow everyone a few weeks to change their habits until it becomes instinctive, and soon you'll find school notices magically appearing on the notice board and library books being returned on time - without the usual morning panic. Yays!


If you would like some inspiration for creating your ideal command centre, check out my Pinterest board - it is packed with different layout and functional design ideas.
Do you use a home command centre? What have you found to work or not work for you? I would love to hear your feedback!

PRODUCT REVIEW :: School Term Planner

As if the "silly season" is not enough to deal with on its own, we also have to start thinking about planning for the new year which is rapidly approaching. There's next year's school book orders, signing up for January holiday club, enrolling in sports clubs / dance classes for Term 1, and so on. If you have a bunch of different people and activities to keep track of, I can highly recommend the 2Organise School Term Planner.

What is the 2Organise School Term Planner?

As the name suggests, the planner is based around the school terms, with a full term per page so you can plan ahead and see everything at a glance. It is designed with 5 colour-coded blocks so that you can keep track of different family members' activities. We only have 3 people in our family, but I use the extra colours to keep track of my business stuff and my pets. It also works wonderfully for uni students and their different subjects, as well as small businesses planning activities for different team members.

I used this planner for the first time this year and I must say that I absolutely loved it. Its large format (roughly A2 size) is much more user-friendly (and cheaper!) than some other A4 or even A3 family planners I have tried before. It also includes the term and holiday dates for all the states, so if you are traveling interstate you can plan around the destination's terms, which may be different to yours. I have also given these to a few friends and they have all loved it. A great Christmas present idea too!

For those interested in Healthy Fundraising

The planners can also be sold as a fundraiser (anyone else over the chocolate drive?? yeah!!), so if your school, sports club or charity group is looking for some healthy and practical fund-raising options, please feel free to contact me for further info (see contact details on the right). The fund-raising programme is sooo easy to set up and use - most of it is done for you, you just have to sit back and wait for the cheque! 

Purchasing the planners

The planners are $19.95. If you would like to purchase one (or a few) you can do so here. If you would like to place a large order please contact me. 

Until next week, happy planning!