Angela Esnouf is creating order…

November 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I am very excited to share the wisdom of our very own Angela Esnouf - who writes The Organising Space each month. Angela is a wise, and wonderfully organised woman whose business - Creating Order From Chaos - inspires many to feel more in control of their lives every single day.

We are truly blessed to have Angela here sharing her beautiful self as well as her wisdom this month.

Welcome Angela! A question I have always wanted to ask you (and now I get the chance) is - What led you to ‘Creating Order from Chaos’?

I’ve always had a talent and interest in finding better ways to do things, whether it’s saving time or money or effort.  I could see there was a way for me to use that talent to help people.

We’d love to know the ‘inside story’ of the Esnouf household. Is it organised? Who lives with you?

Yes, I have to say my home is organised.  I pretty much only keep what I use or love, and there’s a place for everything and everything in its place.  Just don’t look in my son’s room.  He’s 19 and lives at home.  My 22-year-old daughter moved out a year ago and I love to see her use the skills she’s learned from her Dad and I, like budgeting and good time management.  My husband, Greg, has a demanding job with sometimes irregular hours.  So we’ve all learned to go with the flow and have plans in place which can handle last minute changes of plans.

How do you manage a business and a home? Would you share one of your top tips for keeping all those important balls in the air?

Well, first off, I get help!  In both business and at home, you have to delegate to get it all done.  As well as all of us pitching in at home, I have a cleaner come fortnightly and occasionally send the ironing out to be done.

I wear many different hats – wife & mother, friend, business owner, volunteer – I use a very simple system to make sure I’m getting the balance I want.  All my tasks, appointments, emails etc are recorded in my electronic diary and are colour-coded.  Then I can see at a glance if I’m not devoting enough time to any area of my life.

As you know, we’re talking about home this month here at The Calm Space. Would you share what ‘home’ means to you?

My home is my sanctuary, my comfort.  It’s where my family and friends gather.  And it’s also where I run my business from.  I’m happy that it truly reflects me and my values.

What is it you wish someone had told you so you didn’t have to learn the hard way?

So many things!  I always knew I was good at organising, but didn’t know I’d enjoy running a business so much.  I wish I’d listened to the people that encouraged me to start Creating Order from Chaos earlier and not waited.  I wish I’d had more confidence in myself and my abilities.

I also truly believe that if you can learn from each mistake, then it’s not really a mistake.

Easter Sunday Brunch at the Esnouf's

Posted by karen | Filed Under November 08, Wisdom Space 

Wisdom Space: Walking Across Australia

October 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment

I am thrilled to unveil our newest ‘Space’ - The Wisdom Space!

Each month, we’ll bring you an interview or tips from inspiring individuals.

For our birthday issue, I was thrilled to talk with Deanna Sorensen. Read on to find out about Deanna’s huge adventure and how it changed her life! (Bold text is Deanna).

Thank you so much for joining us Deanna!  As you know, this month at The Calm Space, we’re talking about going on adventures. I know you’re something of an expert on taking off for the great unknown and pushing your body and mind to the limits. Would you share with us a brief outline of your grand adventure?

I walked across Australia, from Perth to Sydney, pushing a pram, carrying my tent, sleeping bag, food and water. I walked a marathon a day. Including rest days it took 180 days to get from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Wow! That is quote an achievement.  180 days is roughly six months! The question that immediately pops into my mind is – why did you do it?

Mainly to prove to myself that I could.

You must have been very proud of yourself when you reached Bondi Beach. What was the biggest challenge you faced?

Loads – weather, exhaustion, and being so far away from Jez!

And the biggest reward?

Finishing!!!!

So how do you feel you changed because of your adventure?

I’m still the same fun-loving party girl but my attitude towards achievement has changed. I no longer feel I need to prove myself to anyone and more importantly, I no longer need to prove myself to myself.

How is your life different today because of your walking experience?

Hmmm, that’s a tough one. Different from what? Prior to the walk I had travelled around the world for almost ten years and now it’s been ten years since I did the walk. That’s 20 years of travel and adventure. I continue to evolve because of everything I have done. I’m exactly where I want to be. Although I do believe that the walk has helped to get me here.

If you had your time over again, is there anything you’d change or do differently?

Absolutely not!! Where I am today wouldn’t have happened if I’d changed anything. I live in the best country in the world, have the greatest friends, love my job, my hobbies, our home by the sea, and most of all I have the world’s best man by my side. No, there is nothing I’d change.

That is fantastic! You’ve travelled the world and done a lot of different things in your life, have you finally ‘settled down’ or are there more plans for adventure on your horizon?

Oh no, the dreaded ‘S’ word. I am thrilled to say I’m there. I’m always up for a great travel adventure and whenever the opportunity arises I grab it. However, no longer on the same scale as walking across Australia!

Finally, what would you say to any woman (or man) who is dreaming of setting out on a grand adventure?

That’s easy. Dream a dream, make a plan, and go for it! Oh, and don’t forget to celebrate any chance you can.

Thank you so much for sharing with me, Deanna.

If you’d like to find out more about Deanna’s walk, she wrote a book - Going The Distance - A Walk Across Australia about her experiences - available here.

From the back cover: “Canadian Deanna Sorensen had a dream, made a plan, and walked 5000km across Australia. She walked alone, without a support crew, pushing her tent, food and water in a Baby Jogger.

For 180 days she battled against rain, gale-forced winds and sub-zero temperatures, covering a marathon distance a day from Perth across the desolate plain of the Nullabor, through the exposed ladnscapes of South Australia and over the hills of Victoria, before finishing her walk on the golden sands of Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Deanna’s solo crossing of the continent is an inspiring tale of self-motivation, proving that you don’t have to be an elite athlete to acheive the extraordinary, you just need elite determination.”

I had tears in my eyes from the first page - this is a terrific book! Here’s the journey in a nutshell:

Posted by karen | Filed Under October 08, Wisdom Space