Tuesday, April 28, 2009

We're All On A Budget

One of the greatest benefits of working from home is that I get to wear cat-hair-covered pajamas all day, every day. The second greatest benefit is that I can take a break to watch Oprah. (If I'm on the phone with a client I just tell them what's going on during the episode, and coach them during the commercials.)

Yesterday's episode was something about decorating on a budget? I'm a little fuzzy on it since I was participating in the third greatest benefit of working from home: being able to take naps regularly, and missed part of the show.

It got me thinking about how you could improve the decor of your office using the ultimate budget-conscious item: office supplies paid for by your company. I present to you today's Office Supply Art Project:

Picture Frame Perfection

Step One:

Locate a picture in your office:



This picture was placed on my printer for the benefit of this photo; this is what's normally on my printer:

Cat hair is supposed to be good for electronics, right? And, FYI, this is what's usually on my lap:


Step Two:

Bring the photo into your hands and think about why you have a picture of a barn in your office. I was born in one, what's your excuse?


Step three:

Locate some office supplies.


Step four:

I decided to use Post-It Notes. See how I rolled this one up on itself? The sticky part makes it stick in this tube shape. You can do the same thing or use whatever you have on hand.



Step five:

Make more rolly thingys and stick them on the picture frame, if you're using Post-Its.



Step six:

Voila! Improved decor, on a budget! I know, I know, this looks kind of lame, but I didn't spend much time on this project because I actually like my job. (In case you're not sure what I do, I'm a life/career/wellness coach, writer, and blogger.) Since you probably want to kill more time, you can do a much better job than me when you redecorate your office.

Just in case you've decided you don't want to be stuck killing time with Post-It Notes for the rest of your life, how about following my daily "Live Your Life the Way YOU Want To" Tip?

When Time Flies

I want you to list five things you did as a child that made the time fly by. It can be anything, I just want you to get excited and in the mindset that life should be fun. Your list might include things like

  • Experimenting with your chemistry set
  • Riding your bike
  • Playing doctor with the boy (or girl) next door
  • Playing with your EZ Bake Oven
  • Drawing
  • Eating Broccoli
  • Building Forts
  • Selling Used Car Parts

Do you have five things yet? Okay, now I want you to list five things you do now, as grown up, that make you feel the same way. Here's my list:

  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Coaching
  • Blogging
  • Spending time with family, friends, furry creatures
  • Making art
  • Baking

Yes, that was more than five, but when I'm blogging not only does time fly by, but I forget how to count.

Please tell me you came up with five things yourself. If you did, awesome! How many of them do you get to do in your job? If it's none of them, can you think of a way to incorporate one or more of them into your current job or your future dream job? I don't care how ridiculous you think it sounds, I just want you to use that noggin of yours and get creative!

If you didn't come up with five things, look back to the list of what you liked to do as a kid. Can any item from that list find it's way into your adult list? You loved to ride your bike then, do you ride now? Why not? What about another outdoor activity like hiking or kayaking? It's so important to enjoy your life. Preferably your work and personal life, but for now I'd be proud of you for just integrating some fun and passion into your personal life, but the goal is to bring it into your work life, too!

That's all for me for now, I've got to remove a cat from my coffee mug now...

2 comments:

The Lion's Share said...

Were you really born in a barn? LOL

My Adult list:

~Cooking
~Blogging
~Photography (especially what I cook)
~Herbal Medicine
~Listening to music
and a bonus: Reading

Jen Makes Office Supply Art said...

Yay, great list!