From "Faultlines and Failures" blog post

This failure in my business is a doozy, and I am feeling somewhat nervous to share with you what I now see as a big time stuff up. Monumental in fact!
I had a brilliant idea, I was excited it was going to solve many problems for me. One of which was lack of decent product for productivity and organising being available in New Zealand. The world was going to be my oyster, I was going to fly, my business was going to fly.
This idea was brilliant so I decided to embark on a little "market research" before I invested my hard earned dollars,  also so I knew that it was not just me who liked the idea.
There are two options when it comes to market research, the right way and the wrong way. This is a tale about the wrong way. Being a small business I had a limited budget, but I had a wide and varied network of friends, family and colleagues. So I decided to ask my network what they thought of the idea, this was my version of market research, "uh oh" I hear you say...."you idiot" I hear as you pick yourself up off the floor. It seemed like a good idea at the time, especially when I was getting the following responses:

* "Brilliant Idea"
* "I would buy that stuff from you"
* "Fantastic its about time we had this stuff made in NZ"
* "If anyone can do it, you can"
* "I cannot wait for you to develop these products"
*  "You really do have some great ideas"

Lies, Lies, Lies all of them, and I was dumb enough to believe them. So I went ahead and sunk some dollars into developing what I thought was a great range of New Zealand Made Stationary and productivity planners.
The I waited and waited for these customers to come and buy them, and waited.........and waited. Actually in many cases I am still waiting. I am actually laughing at my own stupidity as I write this, because as I mentioned earlier in a previous post. This stuff really looks so obvious in hindsight.

So when you need to do market research, do it the right way. Invest in a proper study to be done by experienced market research, and even better make it blind, so no one knows who is behind the idea being researched. If I had done this I would have invested in the early stage to save huge amounts in the long run, maybe even have saved my business.

So next time you have an idea for your business and you want to run it by a few "mates" don't, because:
* They will tell you what you want to hear.
* They will lie - (with all good intention of course)
* They will talk up your idea
* They will boost your ego, but not your bottom line

Oh and yes for those who are curious I still have a shit load of products waiting to be sold at www.totallyorganised.co.nz , that was my attempt as brazen and shameless sales!
For those of you who said you would have have not yet, feel free to make a purchase as well, I know you are reading this.

Also if you are wondering if this is you I am referring too, I hold no grudges as you have taught me an amazing lesson, and now others will also learn form my monumental market research failure. However if in the future a mate asks for your opinion on something that will affect a business decision, think before you answer, and tell the truth even if it is not what they want to hear.

What motivates us to act?

It is amazing what can be organised, depending on the reward and motivation.

Yesterday it was an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with 60+ volunteers and declutter the silt, liquefaction and other related earthquake debris from Christchurch's eastern suburbs. We did it because we could. We made a difference and many people who benefitted from the day of shoveling, digging, clearing and moving. For some it was as simple as opening a cupboard for the 1st time since February and others making a path so they can hang their clothes to dry.
This event was all done by volunteers and organised over a period of 5 weeks. We had folks from all walks of life arrive ready to get down and dirty from Tom who is 8, to John in his 70's and everyone in between. One of the local radio stations 91ZM arrived at lunch time to cook up a BBQ and we all sat and chatted before heading of to do some more work. We had equipment donated by companies such as Fonterra, whittakers and Coldstore, and a happy base at the Waimari Methodist Church.
Everyone went home, tired and sore but totally satisfied at the positive action and organising that had taken place. All volunteers saying they were keen to do it again.
I am also keen to work with the amazing crew of Deon, Ali, Ben, Mark, Betty and Others to organise another "Lets get it done" Event. We called it "Lets get it Done" because we are about action, doing, being positive and getting things done. Next time I want at least 300 Volunteers and we will be getting loads done.
In contrast today there is a Rally (Protest variety) in roughly the same area of Christchurch, I was dismayed to see a picture of this rally and the turn out was huge by the look of the image I saw. I know people are hurting and angry, and this post is likely to piss a few people off, but why cant the energy be turned into POSITIVE ACTION as opposed to negative placard waving and words. There is a veritable community army protesting about land values and payouts, when in reality the Government were not obliged to step in and do the insurance negotiating on their behalf, and the residents to are not obliged to accept the offers made to them and they can negotiate themselves. However still the Community came together to Rally their feelings.
My question is "How do we get the same number of people to come together for a positive event, like "Lets get it Done"?" I know of one volunteer yesterday who is from a RED ZONE home, the others I believe are from parts of Christchurch not effected in the same way as the Eastern Suburbs. It was not an exclusively Eastern Suburbs event as help was sent to Tai Tapu and Lyttelton, however we did the majority of the work within the Eastern Suburbs.
I want to know where the residents who are protesting today, were yesterday? Is one of them the man who expected our volunteers to move car bodies and tyres in his yard (not earthquake related, just junk)? How many of them could have helped the elderly get to their mailboxes, clothes lines or even open their back doors by shoveling some silt and liquefaction? How do we get them to take positive community action instead of protesting?
I would love to hear any solutions or suggestions to this. As I know the reward for positive action is longer lasting and far reaching in comparison to the negative energy and resentment that can come from protest.
So look at what you organise and the implications, make it positive and long lasting, oh and spread the word so others can benefit from helping others and growing positive community

I am who I am! but I try to be better.

This week I am having a week away from Christchurch, a long awaited and much needed quake break. I am sitting here in Wanaka looking out at some amazing snow capped mountains, a view that is immense and breathtaking.

Naval gazing can be an activity that becomes predominant while relaxing and I have had plenty of time to think while the family skis. (I am keeping Mr 13 company as he cannot ski yet following a broken arm.) during this thinking time I discover that at times I am not a very nice person and probably peeve people off regularly. There are other times in my life when I do thinks that people find fabulous and invaluable.
So I would love to share with you some of the things that make me not such a great person:
* Opinionated
* Incredibly Stubborn
* Over protective
* Lazy
* Overweight
* Love a good gossip
* don't suffer fools

On the other hand, there are things that make me kind of OK:
* Loyal
* Honest
* Fair
* You will always know how I feel
* Passionate
* Family oriented

Some of the less endearing traits can also be my strengths, such as being opinionated and stubborn, which comes in handy at times.
Seeing both sides of a story is something I try to do, but being empathetic does not mean backing down. There are things that really infuriate me such as political hardliners and environmentalists that only see things their way and no other way. I am willing to listen to both sides of an issue and once I hear the differing opinions I may just chance my stance, or I may not.

The title of this blog is "I AM WHO I AM, BUT I TRY TO BE BETTER" This is something I will live my life by, life is fluid, people change, circumstances change, the world changes. But so many remain the same, this is a stagnant and lonely way to live, and I do not want that for myself.

So if I peeve you off or make you feel good please do not take it personally, it is just me finding my way in this crazy world we live in.

Welcome to the new look Blog

Yes things have changed in my life and my new look blog is reflecting some of those changes.
Simplicity and productivity remain a passion of mine and this will be featured in the profiles I will be doing on Christchurch Businesses who have increased their productivity since the devastating earthquakes that rocked our world.
You can read the first profile on CATE GRACE in my recent blog post.
Another big change has been the winding down of Totally Organised Product and Home Parties as well as our hands on organising services. But you can reap the rewards of this by shopping out our STOCK CLEARANCE SALE
This week I embark on a "Time Management Coaching" course with Julie Morgenstern in New York, so you can soon benefit from my Time Management and Organising Coaching Consultations. Watch this space and I will keep you posted.
Speaking Professionally and Writing are where it is at for me in the near future, so let me know what you are keen to hear or read about and I will do my best to deliver.
Rebuilding Christchurch is a major focus here in my part of the world, being part of a new future for our wonderful city is where I am now spending alot of time.
I am on board the REBUILD CHRISTCHURCH team working with other passionate Cantabrians to deliver open two way communications here in Canterbury. Also we are looking to form an Advocacy service and Charitable trust to aid residents who have been effected by recent events. Watch this space as these developments are closer by the day.
One of my main focusses is to raise funds to give these projects a strong future. Please visit http://www.indiegogo.com/Rebuild-Christchurch if you would like to contribute to the future of these amazing initiatives.

So as you can see exciting times and loads to do, Keep Happy, Keep Safe and Keep it Simple.

POST QUAKE PRODUCTIVITY CHAMPIONS - Cate Grace Leap2it

I have decided to run a series of businesses who have grown and thrived since the Earthquakes that hit Canterbury. So sit back relax and enjoy our first Post Quake Productivity Champion.

Cate Grace - Leap2it

On the 3^rd September 2010, her car was written off and Cate Grace was working full time as an employee and running her Personal Training Business “LEAP2IT” part time and was about to go full time with Leap2it. She had resigned from her safe Job and was getting ready to launch full time with Leap2it on the 24^th September.

When the quake struck on the 4^th September 2010, Cates plans did not change; in fact it heightened her desire to go it alone. Her full time job gave her contact and insight into the plight of the resident of the eastern suburbs of Bexley, Linwood and New Brighton. She invited families to participate in an Open Day at CBD gym she was using on the Saturday following the 4^th September quake, it was a great success and stress buster.

The Boxing day earthquake was a little closer to home for Cate, the epicenter being less than a Kilometer from her home, however she was again determined to make her business bigger and better despite Mother Nature doing her best to make life for Cantabrians difficult.

Then came February 22, 2011 a day that will never be forgotten in the heart and mind of Cate Grace. She was attending a lunch meeting and preparing to head into the CBD when the Earthquake struck.

It was very evident soon after that things would not be the same for Leap2It for a long time, one obvious change being the CBD Gym that Cate and her clients called home was now in the Red Zone, and it would be over 6 weeks before access was possible.

CBD Gym entrance 8 weeks post 22/2/11

Instead of advising her clients that the gym was not available, Cate contacted her clients and asked them what they wanted and needed. This was pivotal in Leap2It gaining a significant market growth in the period following the February Earthquake.

 Armed with the needs and wants of her clients Cate began searching for an alternative Gym where her one on one clients could come with ease, as well as a venue for her Circuit clients and also fun and accessible outdoor venues.

What is different about Leap2It is the people Cate works with. Her perfect client is someone who is struggling with Chronic Illness; her aim is to get people LEAPING off the couch and moving regardless of their Physical Condition. Often a challenging group to work with, however the positive steps forward Cate saw following the Earthquake was reinforcing her faith in the strength of her clients.

When Cate began Leap2it her goals for her business were to work with people suffering chronic health conditions in a gym environment and to have a maximum of 20x1 hour sessions per week. Cate had this goal in mind and it was determined by Cate’s own condition, Rheumatoid Arthritis, which she believed precluded her from maintaining more than 20 hours of One to One training of clients. She was soon to learn that her limitations were all imagined and she was capable of so much more.

Following the September earthquake Cate began to see a change in her goals and began to see a shift toward working with families, youth and partners as well as her existing clients.

The February quake stepped her up a notch as well, this saw an increase in corporate clients, Outdoor training, utilizing an alternative Gym for clients not wanting to return to the Red Zone.

How did Cate manage the changes to her business in such a short and tumultuous time? She became more productive through the use of systems and tools. Some of the things Cate is doing differently include:

·      Using an Action Station Desk Planner – To plan and schedule her weeks ahead of time.

·      Increased time and diary management

·      Improved costing and invoicing systems

·      No discounts or reductions in fees.

·      Increase her Social Media presence with Facebook and twitter

These changes have directly resulted in a 240% increase in turnover in the business.

Another significant turning point for Cate and Leap2it was applying a true element of marketing to her business.  She went direct to her clients and asked what they needed following their traumatic experiences.  She found out what was going to keep them coming back and changed her service delivery to meet those needs.   Cate is focusing on a holistic approach to health and wellbeing.  She combines lifestyle, exercise, alone time & positivity into an achievable and fun plan for her clients and their families.  Being healthy and happy is a team effort and Cate encourages everyone from children, partners, family, neighbours and friends to support and train together.   Her motto since the earthquakes is never never give up.   "If you want it, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse.  A year from now, you'll be glad you started today!”

Business pre September sessions were up to 15 1-1 sessions per week, now Cate is growing steadily with up to 35 varied sessions a week including Leap2it  1-1 personal training, Leap2it Buddy sessions, Leap4it Group Circuits & SMaRT Corporate group sessions.    

This has resulted in her now working from over 6 different locations:

1)   Form Fitness Gym in Beckenham

2)   Circuits in the Alpine room at Clip & Climb

3)   Her previous CBD Gym

4)   Riccarton Racecourse

5)   Waimakariri and Selwyn Operation Suburbs as she takes Leap2it on the road to homes and local parks

6)   Corporate Client Offices

Operation Suburbs - perfect place to work

Embracing the changes, adapting to opportunites, talking to her clients, increasing her productivity through systems and challenging her own beliefs have all added up to one exciting and successful business growing and leaping forward in Post-Quake Christchurch. It can be done and Cate Grace’s business Leap2it is a great inspiration to businesses throughout New Zealand to keep your vision and dreams alive, no matter what.

Get in touch with Cate at www.leap2it.co.nz or follow  CATE ON TWITTER

SHOUT, SHOUT LET IT ALL OUT

I have had a gutsfull, I am over the bloody earthquakes we have been enduring here in Christchurch. The earth really does seem to have it in for us. HOWEVER, I am not going anywhere. So instead I am going to get me own back a little.
This Saturday the 25th June 2011, I am going to scream at the earth. I am going to give her what for, full decibel scream of anger and frustration. I have been holding in tension, stress and anger since 4th September 2010 when we had a 7.1 Earthquake, enough already. Time to let go.
At 2pm I will be in North Hagley park (quiet possibly on my own) and I am going to SCREAM like I have never screamed before. Then I will most likely laugh, laugh so hard I hope I cry. As it seems I have lost my ability to cry, tears do not come anymore, which is weird.

This is my BIG SCREAM, feel free to join me if you wish where ever you are in the world, and lets tell mother earth that enough is enough.
This is not a formal event just me and whoever else could do with a good tension release getting together and letting go.

THE FUTURE OF TOTALLY ORGANISED

As you are aware, we have had some challenging times here in Christchurch over the past 9 months. Businesses as a whole have been working through some exciting and some not so fun challenges.
Totally Organised is no different.
The last nine months have also provided an opportunity to look deeply at what we do and how we are doing it.

So that being said I wish to announce a few changes to our business.
1) Totally Organised Get-Togethers - our direct sales division will be closing down effective immediately.
2) Hands on Organising - Also there will be a reduction in the hands on organising services available, the "Paperwork Power Punch" service is on hold for now.
3) Personal Productivity Consultations - Wendy Davie will available in a consulting role to assist you with your Personal Productivity at home and at work.

So what are we going to be doing:
1) We have an exciting ONLINE store offering a range of organising products to anyone, anywhere. visit www.shoptotallyorganized.com to purchase on line.
2) We will be offering a consultation service to businesses offering staff training  and workshops focusing on Personal Productivity and Time Management.
3) Wendy Davie will be writing and speaking on the topic of Personal Productivity and Time Management through the media and Conferences.
4) Development of online products - We are working towards bringing you Productivity and time management solutions in the "cloud" in conjunctions with International experts.

We wish to thank you for all your support over the past 8 years and look forward to future relationships as we endeavor to bring you solutions and products  that will help you become Totally Organised.

A Brilliant tip from a New Client.

I love it when  I get new clients, it is a privilege to be invited into someones home and help them get it organised. For many clients it can be a scary and intimidating experience, however they very quickly learn that here at Totally Organised we get it, and it is OK!
Asking for help is often the hardest part, soon followed by letting a stranger (albeit a friendly one) into your space and to handle your stuff. Fortunately the experience ends in a great, fun, positive and upbeat manner.

It is always an experience when I also learn new things and add ideas to my plethora of tips and ideas. Yesterday was one of those days when I was shown the most fantastic idea that my New client had developed and put together since the earthquake. She has said it is OK to share it with you.

We all talk about our disaster kits and grab and go bags etc, everyone has differing ideas and thoughts. Much of the time the question of where to keep your kit is a biggie, and there are various ideas. However "Mary"* (Name changed to protect the brilliant), has hit the nail on the head.

THE WHEELIE BIN:

 Yes, brilliant I know and so, so simple and now we see it obvious as well. Mary has purchased a Wheelie bin that is a different color from the ones used for Rubbish collection (hers is red), and it is stored outside her home.

The wheelie bin is weather proof, large and on wheels. perfect for a disaster kit. In her wheelie bin Mary has, large water containers full with fresh water, first aid kit, blankets, gumboots (anyone who has experienced liquefaction will know why), shovel, torches, batteries, blankets.
Here is a list of other items that will fit:
* Blankets
* Sleeping bag
* Small tent
* Non Perishable food
* Solar Shower
* Wet Weather Gear
* Small gas bottle and cooker

The possibilities are endless.
It is perfect for the following reasons:
* Being able to store outside allows for the event of your home collapsing and your kit not being stuck inside.
* Does not take up valuable storage space inside your home
* Portable, regardless of how heavy it may be - water containers weigh a lot- you can still roll it.
* Large in size so you CAN store a lot in it.

So I am heading to the nearest storage shop and getting me one of those wheelie bins. I will store it close to the home, and fill it with the necessary items that we have come to know and love here in Christchurch, following our recent Earthquakes. I suggest you should go and do the same. Because you just never know when you may needs it.

A huge thanks to MARY* as well for your brilliance and ingenuity.

Some Goodies I found for you in San Diego

I have just returned from an amazing Conference in San Diego, I was there with 700+ Professional Organisers and Productivity Specialists.
One of the highlights of this annual Conference is the Trade Show. This is where you can go to see all the new concepts and ideas for getting you organised. This year there are some amazing products and ideas that stood out and that I will be bringing to New Zealand. So here is a roundup of what you can expect in the next few months.

 

 The Tote Buddy is an amazing and gorgeous way to carry all your reusable shopping bags and be stylish at the same time. Check out this video and see how it works

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCET5XoJRpA

I will keep you posted when the first shipment arrives and let me know if you are interested in being one of the first to use this great products.

Next great product is the PortaVault:

 

This is the handy one place for all your vital documents it is a Grab and Go Compendium and much more. Some of the benefits include:

BENEFITS OF A VITAL RECORDS PORTAVAULT

• Eliminates the guess work in identifying what documents are important
• Easy to use! Easy to maintain! And does not require filling out a lot of forms
• Filled with helpful hints and guidance
• Easy access to your documents
• Ready when you are – just grab it & go
• Provides you the peace of mind that comes with being prepared 
• ORGANISING YOUR DOCUMENTS
• Document Locator – when completed it serves as an index for your PortaVault and also provides the locations of where all your original documents are stored if they are not in your PortaVault.
• Health History Card – provides a snapshot of your health and medical history, details about medications and contact information for health care providers.
• Key Contacts/Family & Friends – a form to gather the contact information of all the important people in your life.
• Household Inventory – a form to list the contents of your home. Essential for establishing proof of ownership for insurance purposes.
• Valuables & Collectibles - creates an inventory of your valuables and collectibles
• Communication Plan Card – you and your family members will all know the communication and family disaster plan if you are separated during a natural disaster
• Emergency Planning Guide – outlines the basic steps in natural disaster planning and also encourages you to obtain information from the American Red Cross
• (information supplied by www.portavault.com)

Check out PORTVAULT for more info. I will be doing some training in PortaVault and its uses and will be offering a Emergency Preparedness sessions using the PortaVault in the near future.

Loving this ever practical CARD BUDDY;

 Fun and functional, great for carrying your coupon cards, coffee cards and other cards that have been stuffing your wallet.
They come with a A-Z index so also make a funky business card index and holder.
Comes in a selection of colours I am about to place our first order do if you like the look of these let me know what colour you think we should be getting in stock, and we will offer approx 4 variations.

This is just a small selection of the amazing things I found for you, and I will be keeping you up to date with some others along the way, because there is more where these came from.

Is your Business REALLY disaster ready??

The last month has shown many people in both Christchurch  a whole new perspective of what being prepared for a disaster can mean. There is a lot of information out there on having emergency kits ready at home and plans for handling yourself and you family in the immediate days after a disaster.
Yet something that is causing a huge amount of stress, hassle and frustration for many in Christchurch is the impact this disaster is having on businesses.

On the 22nd of February 2011 at 12.51pm everything stopped, 4 weeks later coffee cups still sit on tables in Cashel Mall, food still sits on shop shelves, lap tops and computers lay open, books and files left in place, cars remain parked in parking buildings, luggage still sits in hotel rooms, cash registers still open and handbags sit in Cafes. It is like time stopped as people fled the buildings they had been in when the 6.3 quake struck.

The people who fled these buildings were the customers, tourists, staff and the Business Owners. Most of the tourists have gone home, the customers went home, the staff have no job and the business owners have no access. This is an incredibly damaging situation for a business owner to be in.

There is increasing rage and frustration from the business owners as they wait for the green light to reenter their business premises and contents. There is no money coming in to those businesses, yet suppliers still send invoices and some customers still query for services and product. It is a disaster driven sense of limbo. In Christchurch these businesses are not limited to just the CBD, but many suburban businesses are effected as well.

 Now business owners are blaming the powers that be for ruining their potential to reopen and salvage their businesses. Buildings have been demolished without business owners having the opportunity to reclaim contents, blame is being laid on the powers that be as well. However the true demon in this situation was a natural disaster a devastating earthquake, and measures need to be taken to ensure the future safety of our city and its citizens and visitors.

A natural disaster like and Earthquake, is a mean evil bastard that creeps up on you with no warning and kills indiscriminately. This immediate impact is shocking and destructive, but the longer term effect is what we all need to prepare for.

As a business owner I have made it my responsibility to ensure that if my office were to be inaccessible for any reason I could get myself up and running again with the minimum of inconvenience to myself, staff and customers. By doing so I have worked to protect a valuable asset, my business, however nothing though can prepare or protect anyone from the shock and disbelief that will be part of the process.

These are some of the things I have done:

* INSURANCE - A business must have insurance, this is not a luxury this is essential and not negotiable. Insure your business  premises, stock, assets, business interruption, income protection, equipment. Have it covered or risk losing it. If you cannot afford to insure your business you cannot afford to be in business.

* BACK UP DATA - I use a service in Christchurch NEXUS this is an offsite back up of all my electronic data. If I lose my computers or they get damaged the information is only a phone call away. I have called on this once when my laptop hard drive crashed. It was no hassle and worth he investment.

* CLOUD COMPUTING - Store information in the "cloud", let others know where it is so if you were not available someone else can access it and get things up and running. I use this for simple but important things like a database of who my insurance is with, current customer list, supplier list, how to contact nexus etc. That way someone in another country could begin actioning things for me if I was incapacitated.

These are just three simple, effective and essential business disaster recovery items that everyone should be doing. If you have not got a Disaster Recovery Plan in place for your business, then make it number one on your to-do list. Get onto it because you could need it anytime, yet I sincerely hope you never need it.

Always remember though that lives and people are far more valuable than buildings and contents. Buildings and Contents can be rebuilt and replaced, however lives can never be replaced and the hole left by the loss of a person is far greater that that of losing material things. So prepare for the risk now so that you will not feel the need to take risks when it is too late.

What feels right for you?

Today here in Christchurch we have a public holiday and a National Memorial service. This is an event I have chosen not to attend. This is a conscious decision as I personally still have a Funeral to attend, and so many families are still awaiting the return of loved ones lost. So a little too soon to sit in the sun and "Bring a Picnic" as our Mayor suggested (inappropriate in my view).
Instead I have chosen to spend some time with my kids, as my husband is still working 90 hour weeks since the earthquake, he will come home early, exhausted and head to bed for a much needed nap.
What today also highlights to me is that we all need to listen to our own intuition and feelings, do what feels right for us, do things in our own time, if and when we can.

*My daughter is spending tonight with her dear friend who has lost both her Grandparents in the Earthquake, that feels right!
*I am sitting quietly working away, that feels right!
*My son chose not to go away with a friend for the weekend, that feels right!
*We picked tomatoes from our garden and the boys delivered them to neighbors, that feels right!
*Pete and I finally closely inspected the outside of our home for damage (and found some), that feels right!
*Pete is now tucked in bed in the afternoon napping, that feels right!

So take time where ever you are and whatever you are doing to ensure that what you are doing feels right. Not for others, but for you!

Everyone is a Expert????

One thing that is becoming obvious after the events of the past 3 weeks both here and in Japan, is that everyone suddenly becomes an expert.
I have been overwhelmed by blog posts and emails advising me how to be prepared for a disaster. It kind of reminds me of when I was pregnant, everyone had advice and knew what was best for me, I listened politely and then discarded the crap and paid attention to what seemed like good advice.
I am considering working on a new book, I think I will call it:

"THE BOOK YOU NEVER HOPE TO NEED BUT SHOULD READ JUST IN CASE" (TM)

this would be my own personal compilation of all the useful advice, information and support that has helped me since I found myself living in a disaster zone:
A few tidbits would include:

* Follow your own instincts.
* Look after yourself and family first
* A special chapter on how to make your own long drop toilet
* Just how much water is enough to have stock piled before a disaster.
* What is the best performing perfume and deodorant when you cannot shower or wash clothes?  My personal choice (JO MALONE)
* How to cook in an oven that seems to have only one temperature - super high hot.
* Where to place torches throughout your home for those dark long, nights.
* A plumber can take 2 weeks to check your leaking Hot Water Cylinder, however tell them you have raw sewer seeping from your pipes and they get there in 2 hours.
* People from out of town will try and poach your staff, take away business and tell you how sorry they are that we are having a hard time. All the while making it worse.
* As my husband says everyday "HUGS ARE FREE SO HUG FREELY"
* If you were not there when the disaster happened you DO NOT get it, DO NOT understand, and DO NOT know how we feel. So do not try and tell people you do.
* Never ever compare natural disasters, no one is worse than another! BECAUSE For the people who are in the middle of a situation regardless of where they are or what the disaster is, it is the WORST thing that will ever happen to THEM in THEIR lives.
* Know that if you have been effected by a NATURAL disaster then it is tragic, scary and energy sapping. However the reality is there is nothing you can do to stop them happening, so live each and everyday with gusto and one at a time.

Sure there is a huge amount of practical advice out there:
* Have an emergency kit
* Keep you mobile charged and with you
* Sleep with shoes beside the bed

But the reality is the challenges may come from the most unexpected place and situations. So be prepared to make decisions and actions based on not having the things and resources we regularly take for granted and assume will be available to us.
So regardless of how prepared we are some Disasters come with no warning or advise, and  not have a lead time and preparation time so you may not be near your emergency kit and you will need to improvise.

So back to the fist tidbit - "Follow your own instincts" trust your gut and do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. Do not ask permission or wait for others to take the lead, do what you need to do when you need to do it, survival is key.

Once the dust has settled and the reality of the situation starts to sink in then you will be heartened to find a community that will come together and do what needs to be done. Be part of that community and build a new strength together.

So yep I guess I too have "become and expert" by writing this post, so you can read it and throw out the crap and take to heart the information that you find useful, and I hope that one day you never need to use it.

Getting organised in the "NEW" Normal.

Wow a lot has happened since my last post, and things have changed considerably in my little part of the world.
Here in Christchurch, we are beginning to realise we are living with a new normal. A place where things that once mattered no longer do, places we used to visit no longer exist and people we know are no longer with us.
This new normal is cruel and surreal.
Impossible to describe, but difficult to ignore.
Things have changed, they changed a bit on 4th September 2010, when we had the 7.1 Magnitude Quake. Little did we know that that was a dress rehearsal for what was to be a destructive and devastating 6.3 magnitude quake.
You hear comparisons between ours and other quakes. I have even heard it said "It was only 6.3....", what is not said is that it was centered less than 5 km's from the city at a depth of only 5km. It was short, sharp and immensely violent.

One of the places I found myself helping on 22/2/11

I was in my car when it struck, and awnings of shops were at eye level for me as my car bucked up and the pavements went down, pedestrians were knocked off their feet and buildings collapsed indiscriminately ending lives and destroying futures.
That day my 15 years of previously working as an Emergency Room RN came back to me like I had never left the profession. I like many in Christchurch wore the blood of others and witnessed the passing of many. Somethings can be washed off others can never be erased.
I am not an RN anymore, I am a Professional Organiser, and I am wondering whether that is important anymore. I have had days where I think my business is the whimsy of a bored mother and housewife, and maybe I should throw it all in and become a coffee Mum.
Yet this past weekend I went up into the mountains with my family, we had some much needed time away from the new normal. I had time to lay in the grass and think. What struck me was that this new normal is an amazing and rarely experience opportunity to really make a difference.
We have a city that needs to be rebuilt, we have lives that need to be healed and we have businesses that need to be helped and nurtured back into success. Who better to be part of this than a Professional Organiser.
So many are beginning with a clean slate, so why not begin with a successfully productive and organised future in mind. This is what I now know, this is my business, my profession, my expertise and I am damn good at it. This is the perfect time for businesses to invest in a lean, productive and profitable future move forward in a constructive and engaged way that can only bring a positive impact the the new normal.
I now know that my business is not a whim, but a valuable, motivating, inspired and aspirational service that can help many cope and grow in this new normal that is Christchurch. The lessons we are learning every day will be invaluable to share on a global scale as time moves forward and I for one am going to be there and stand proud in this new normal.
I AM PROUD TO OWN A CHRISTCHURCH BUSINESS AND BE THERE TO HELP IN THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THIS MAGNIFICENT CITY.

A new dawn in the NEW normal