5 Tips to Make Relocating More Efficient

Image credit: Joanna Bourne (flickr.com)

Moving to a new home can be quite exciting – and tiring, at the same time!

Besides, this can require a lot of work on your end. Preparation can be very time-consuming and so it should be done right. Read on and I will give a few tips about how you can make your move efficient and hassle-free.

Pack Early

First off, you have to understand the negative consequences of last-minute preparation. A better idea is to get started with your packing chores at least several weeks before the scheduled departure. Create a list so you can plan ahead. Try to figure out what items should be brought and which ones should be left behind.

Plan Your Move

Of course, you also have to plan the move itself. For shorter destinations, it is advisable that you hire a truck where you can put all your things. For far locations, the preferable route is to look for house movers. You may also reduce the quantity of stuff you have to carry by shipping them to your new address. Just be sure to do this with adequate planning plus it’s important that you work with a reliable provider.

Contact the Movers 

Speaking of movers, communicating clearly with them is the solution to having a successful experience. Be specific about the details in order to help them determine which approach is most appropriate. As much as possible, tell them the quantity of heavy items you need to bring (such as your refrigerator or your piano) so they have a clear expectation of things.  

Label your Boxes

As you use boxes in packing your things, remember the wisdom of labeling each one. Writing “books,” “clothes,” and/or “glassware” can make a big difference. Unpacking will be so much easier as you arrive in your new home. Not to mention that arranging the boxes for travel can be done more effectively with the help of these labels. You will have no worries about breaking fragile items because you stored them in the wrong places. Also, be sure to put number codes such as “1 of 2” to indicate how many boxes are there for books, for instance. This will help prevent unexpected losses during the trip.

Prepare a First Aid Kit

This may not sound like a typical tip for relocating but yes, it is important to have your first aid kit at hand. You’ll never know when someone may drop a breakable object or gets accidentally hurt by sharp items. Put the kit somewhere you can easily access them whenever the situation calls for it.      

Cellphone Do’s and Don’ts

I think I’ve posted a lot about landline lately and haven’t found the time to write about its mobile counterpart.

So for this new entry, I’ll focus on proper cellphone usage. As the technology continues to be widely popular, I am sincerely hoping that more and more users will understand the importance of responsible ownership.

Here’s a short video that covers the basic rules of mobile etiquette:  

Mind Your Manners – The Basics of Phone Etiquette

Image credit: Pete (flickr.com)

In these days of instant messages, likes, and tweets, they say that basic phone etiquette is becoming a lost art.

Common courtesy is really important to maintain whether at home or at work. It greatly enhances communication and makes a positive impression for you. Remember that you are representing yourself, your family, or your company when you pick up the phone.

Here are some proven reminders if you want to project a professional image or if you simply want to be a little more pleasant to converse with.

Begin with a greeting

On the top of my head, I can fondly recall a friend’s young daughter who always said “Hello, this is Violet. Good Morning!” It’s really cute and nice plus it’s actually slightly funny because she always said that - regardless what time of the day I called.  

The formula is there, however. Simply identify yourself and then say a short greeting. In business settings, you may include your company name and, when necessary, your department, something along the lines of “Hello, this is Felicity Smoak. IT Department of Queen Consolidated. How may I help you?”

This is always a good way to start a conversation and yes, that’s an Arrow reference right there.

Pay attention to your tone

Although the caller will not see any facial expression, your emotions will still be pretty apparent – thanks to the tone of your voice. Smiling while taking a call might seem like a silly idea but it actually affects your tone. If you doubt this, then you can try recording your calls for proof and you will surely notice a big difference with how you sound like as you speak with others over the phone. You’ll notice that you’ll always sound happier as you smile. Also, do not eat any food or chew gums while talking.  

Choose your words carefully

Again, the main point of exercising etiquette is to ensure that the callers have positive experiences as they contact you. So aside from proper greetings and voice tone, using the right words can be a huge factor.

Using formal words are highly advisable, especially when taking business calls. So instead of saying “Who’s calling?”, “May I know who’s on the line?” is always better. “Can I put you on hold?” is preferable over “Hang in there for a minute.” You get the idea!

Well, that’s basically the basics of phone etiquettes. I’ll try coming up with a video next time so be sure to come back. Also, feel free to leave a comment below in case you agree or disagree with some of the points I raised – or if you have a few pointers of your own!