Increase Productivity by Batching Tasks

Batching tasks is taking a group of tasks and ‘doing’ them in the same block of time. For example, making all your telephone calls for the day in one group, checking your emails in one group, or when you are going to the shops doing more than just the grocery shopping.

Batching and Shopping

By batching your shopping you are saving time, saving petrol and helping the environment. The following are some elements to consider before you go to the shops for a detailed example of batching tasks.


We know we are going to the shops for the groceries but often there are many errands that we can do whilst we are out such as purchasing petrol, going to the post office, dropping off clothing at a charity bin and so on.


So before you leave the house you need the following:


 A list of all the errands to be done whilst out


 Any items you need for the errands such as the dry cleaners receipt, library books


 Your grocery list


 Eat prior to going shopping


 Dressed comfortably


 A plan of the places you need to go and the logical order in which to complete the tasks. That is place 1, place 2, and place 3. This step alone can save an incredible amount of time


 Estimate how long you think your list will take [each time you learn so you get closer to scheduling the correct amount of time]

Like in your daily work schedule a little planning can save you an incredible amount of time. I know it takes me 10 minutes to drive to the local shops, then get out of the car, complete my tasks and drive home, just by only having to do this once a week it is saving me at least 30 minutes. Time adds up and we lose time easily but planning can easily save time.

About Us

LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based professional organiser and lifestyle management consultancy. We are all about saving you TIME. We conduct workshops on ‘Managing your Time’, ‘Systemise Yourself to have a Productive Day,’ ‘DeClutter and Take Back Control’ and Mind Clutter.’ We work with individuals and businesses to help them create a better life.

For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Michele on 0437 311 802.

Dust If You Must!

“A house becomes a home when you can write, “I love you” on the furniture.”


I can’t tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING!


I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect – “in case someone came over.”


Then I realised one day that no one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!


Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the “condition” of my home. They are more interested in hearing about the things I’ve been doing while I was away living life and having fun.

If you haven’t figured this out yet, please heed this advice.


Life is short. Enjoy it.


Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake a cake or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?


Dust if you must, but there’s not much time, with rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.


Dust if you must, but the world’s out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain.


This day will not come around again.


Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it’s not kind.


And when you go – and go you must – you, yourself will make more dust!


If’s now what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.


Author Unknown


About Us


LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based personal assistant, corporate concierge and lifestyle management consultancy. We are all about saving you TIME. By taking care of your “to do” list so you can spend time doing the things that are truly important to you.


For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Michele on 0437 311 802.

Make TIME for the important things in your life!

The past few blogs have focused on employment and keeping staff engaged. This article is all about you and maximizing your life. Enjoying your down TIME. Here are some ways to enjoy this weekend!

Go on a picnic
Pack a lunch, afternoon tea or early dinner, don’t forget the picnic rug. Enjoy time by yourself with a book or with family and friends.

Give yourself some pampering
It is getting close to sandal season so give your feet some attention whether by a professional or do it yourself.

Find some sun
Set up some space in your backyard for relaxation, hook up a hammock [great Christmas present idea], a daybed or a chair and pillow. Enjoy a few minutes and the time for yourself.

Host a potluck brunch
Invite friends over and ask everyone to bring a dish. Suggestions include – a seasonal fruit platter; hard-boiled eggs; blueberry pancakes; croissants with ham and cheese or salmon, dill and cream cheese; freshly squeezed orange juice

Visit a botanic or open garden
Admire the hard work to a truly inspirational garden, enjoy the fresh air, colours and textures.

Get gardening
Spend time dedicated to your own space. Tackle one area at a time rather than seeing a lot of work to fix at once.

Go hiking
I know and agree, we all have this on our “must do” list but really don’t make the time to do it. Explore a national park go to www.environment.gov.au/parks/index.html for more information

Get out of town
Take a day trip somewhere, we are so lucky that just an hour from our door are many lovely places where we could enjoy some time exploring.

Call a friend
Make contact with an old friend, one you have been meaning to call for such a long time. It will make you really feel like you have achieved something over the weekend.

Extracts for this article were taken from the Sunday Herald Sun, Body and Soul, October 12, 2008 By Nicole Conville.

"You will never find TIME for anything. If you want TIME, you must make it".
Charles Bixton

LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based personal assistant, corporate concierge and lifestyle management consultancy. They are all about saving you TIME. By taking care of your “to do or wish list” so you can spend time doing the things that are truly important to you. For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Silvana on 0417 595 744 or Michele on 0437 311 802.