Get Things Done to Be Ready for Anything

My crusade to make this the year to "get things done when they need to be done" paid off in many ways recently. Several events, both personal and business, came up at the last minute, and I was able to attend them without missing a beat because I was caught up on everything I'd needed to get done. A year ago at this time, I might have felt stressed and overwhelmed at the prospect of taking time away from my well-planned, yet poorly executed, to-do list.

The first event was the wake of a friend's father - of course I would have attended no matter what the state of my workload. But it was nice to be able to give her my undivided time and attention without a nagging voice in my head reminding me of all the work that awaited me. The second event was a plea from an overwhelmed client for me to meet with her at the last minute to pull her tax information together for her accountant. Sorry Uncle Sam, no late filing penalties from that (now) organized and timely taxpayer.

The third event involved a road trip. My son, who is working in Washington State, was going to be in (relatively) nearby Michigan for an interview at the University of Michigan's grad school. My husband and I were able to take an impromptu two-day trip to visit with him, take him out for a decent meal (i.e., not made in a microwave) and give him an in-person hug. Two days away from my phone and computer are a big deal for me, since I typically spend about four hours a day there. But I was able to drop everything and make the trip because I'd taken care of my important tasks when I'd planned to. Last year, rather than completing those important tasks when scheduled, I might have simply ignored some of them and transferred them to the next day's to-do list. Sound familiar?

I've written previously about how to analyze your procrastination tendencies. A written schedule, setting a timer for how long I'll work on something, and a renewed commitment to focus, have all helped me minimize my delay tactics. I've also made a commitment to myself (and several colleagues who help hold me accountable) to end my workday a couple of hours earlier than I used to so that I can have more free/fun time. An added benefit of this shorter workday is that it almost forces me to be focused and efficient - knowing I have two fewer hours to work each day makes me buckle down and get focused.

So what tasks are you putting off? I'd like to challenge you to commit to a day of being focused - staying on task and finishing everything you need to complete that day. Please let me know how it goes.

Wishing you simplicity, harmony and freedom.

Internationally known professional organizer, author, and speaker Sue Becker is the founder and owner of From Piles to Smiles®. She enjoys helping people live better lives by creating customized systems to overcome their overwhelming paperwork, clutter, and schedules. She specializes in helping people who are chronically disorganized, especially people with AD/HD. Sue is Illinois' first Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization.

Sue invites you to sign up for her FREE Starter Kit: 5 Proven Ways to Organize and Simplify Your Life at http://www.pilestosmiles.com/ You'll learn simple ways to discover the freedom of an organized home, office and life. Check out the additional products available to help you put ideas into action at http://www.pilestosmiles.com/products.htm

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Are you ready to choose a positive mental attitude towards amendments

Here's what you can expect from negative thinkers:

"Don't waste your time. Never change. "
"I'm sorry; That's way, always, and that is how I 'm. What you see is what you get! "
"Don't you teach an old dog new tricks."

Note, these are absolute, not relative, observations. This is a clear one that () does not believe in the case of a change or (b) does not have to contemplate the perspective changes-many reasons, some clear and some barely tolerable.

On the other hand the possibility thinkers look after the change as a threat, but as a basis for hope! If there is no possibility of change, there is no hope for improvement! Certainly reluctance to have a positive attitude towards change is more binding, his subconscious defense mechanism of insecure person who often perceive themselves as victims of change. Internally a safe person who sees himself as the creator of the developments that require planning and preparation before tomorrow comes! A Grand collection of positive attitudes this positive attitude to progress is the most fundamental.

Number one job is to make sure that you are a thinker possibilities! I do not expect a pep talk to the task. Banking on the motivational rally not (mine or anyone else 's)! Significant effort can indeed offer a positive tone, and stricter majoring even prepare mental soil to get you going. However, for results of anything solid and durable, less than psychological human personality restructuring must take place.

A positive attitude to change also requires humility. Only the person self-assured dares for the humble. Demand for humility, which we may be willing to admit that we do not know all the answers and some of our answers are wrong. Of course, the various proposals that we are dealing with will instantly be evaluated "hopelessly impossible" based on knowledge available at the time. But the thinker can assume that if the proposal is in itself the seeds of creativity, then blamed sincere attention and reliable research. Notice how the thoughts of the philosopher and opportunities in a relative rather than absolute? Notice how there is a basic desire to alter the conclusions shall be based on the assumption that the person has programmed some errors, falsehood and inaccuracies?

You will never know how many people have failed because they were programmed with errors. Besides, they never questioned their own flawed and interrupted the opinion, some needed to be changed, updated, revised or rejected!

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