Strategies for Stress-Free Living
There are two types of people in the world: those who are organized...and the rest. Happily, Dane thrives on highly organized systems and shares his practices and insights with the rest of us. The secret to his success is understanding that being organized and keeping to a schedule results in less stressful, calmer environments, and a more enjoyable experience overall.
In fact, the Dane Austin Design team believes that the more organized we are, the more productive we can be. When time and energy are not lost in searching for missing items, forgetting appointments, or overcommitting our resources, we are healthier and happier for it.
MANAGING PAPER, PACKAGES & MAIL
Challenge: The reams of mail and packages delivered every day.
Solution: Having a system for dealing with incoming deliveries reduces clutter, and therefore, reduces stress. By prioritizing items, we can deal with the most important matters first.
Dane created a system for dealing with incoming packages and mail in his home and now helps his clients to do the same with package processing rooms. These dedicated spaces might be in part of the garage, or in a separate room. Recently he designed a dedicated room in Chestnut Hill where support staff can store, sterilize (important during the pandemic), and open packages and mail.
Challenge: While most information is now available online, many people don’t have good systems in place to deal with the steady stream of digital mail and data we collect.
Solution: We believe going paperless is the future, and our practice whenever possible. We like these apps for project management and dealing with digital data:
MANAGING SPACES
Challenge: Keeping track of our possessions.
Solution: Creating systems for managing possessions, including technology apps that reduce clutter.
We believe that clutter-free environments enhance well-being, and subscribe to the practice of having a place for everything, and everything in its place. Our designs take into account the items we all need and create proper storage for them.
When projects require removing items before a renovation, we call in one of our white glove, specialty teams of movers. We often recommend closet designers and professional organizers to assist our clients or their staff in preparation for renovations or installations. Looking for more organization tips? Several of our organizers belong to NAPO, the New England Association of Professional Organizers. Their website offers good insights and information.
In Dane’s own home, he implemented a system for changing the linens in various bedrooms. Special linen-covered boxes with clear front panels are labeled--the Rose Room, Yellow Room, Blue Room, Green Room, and Lavender Room. Coordinated linens sets are pressed, folded, and stashed with lavender-scented sachets between the pillowcases. When the box is left on one of the beds in a particular room, the housekeepers know to make up that bed with those specific sheets. No guesswork involved and time lost to finding the correct set of linens to dress the bed.
Creating attractive and useful storage is a challenge that Dane regularly achieves for his clients. “I am always willing to share my strategies with clients to help them live their best lives in the spaces we design. We want clients to thrive in their environments,” Dane says.
Technology can also help us reduce clutter. Music collections can be accessed online through apps like Spotify and Pandora. Replacing printed materials with digital books and magazines reduces visual clutter, and is good for the environment, too. (Save a tree!)
MANAGING THE CALENDAR
Challenge: Keeping track of professional and personal obligations and appointments.
Solution: Dedicated use of a calendar and/or calendar applications.
One of our team’s best skills is managing the calendar. Dane schedules his time with the assistance of his wonderful support staff. The Client Care Coordinator manages scheduling, and our Administrative Manager handles day-to-day communications while both oversee appointments and phone meetings for the design firm. DADI employs online scheduling apps such as Calendly to provide easy access for clients and industry partners.
Personally, Dane reserves one day a month for all of his personal appointments. He calls it his self-care day and schedules his doctors, chiropractor, haircuts, and any other personal tasks on this day.
When the dog grooming chore became an issue, Dane decided to create a recurring appointment for the same day each month. Now everyone remembers when it will take place, and no one stresses about remembering to schedule the appointment.
A recurring order for paper goods and bottled water to be delivered to Dane’s home cut down on unnecessary trips to the store, which was especially helpful during Covid. All of Dane’s systems are meant to be “easy, efficient, and enjoyable.”
ORGANIZATION IS A TEAM EFFORT
Another essential component of an organized life is knowing when and what to delegate to others - family members, hired staff, or temporary employees.
Dane is the first one to share the credit with his wonderful team, each of whom has a defined area of responsibility:
Creative Team - Caitlin
Client Care Coordinator - Kate
Communication Administrator - Heather
Finance - Stasia
Press & marketing - Cheryl | Savvy Words
Who supports you in your daily life? If you’re not delegating tasks, are you overwhelmed with your to-do list? One way to handle this is by hiring virtual assistants and/or concierge staff.
Remember what David Allen said, “You can do anything but not everything.”
While Dane calls himself a “recovering perfectionist,” he knows how important good systems are when it comes to being organized, productive, and happy. His advice is to be open-minded and flexible but to establish routines, schedules, and dedicated spaces for tasks. Delegate tasks or hire help when needed. We deserve to live our healthiest, best lives.