Dessert to start?

Let's face it, there is always at least one task per day that is dreaded, the phone call, the filing, the budget. No matter what your "drag du jour" is, often times putting them off is the worse course of action.

My reccomendation is to start with the worse task first. The day will then be filled with all the good tasks of the day. Further proof from this philosophy comes from the classic book, The Road Less Travelled. Dr. Peck reccomends not delaying gratification which is exactly what we do each and everyday, by doing the good things first.

After all, we don't eat dessert first do we?

Size Does Not Matter

"I am going to fit into those size 2 Jordache jeans some day-- as soon as I lose that last 20 pounds!"

Most people who are having problems shedding unwanted pounds often have a hard time shedding closets full of old clothing as well.

Wouldn't it be much better to reward weight loss with a new top or pair of jeans, than trying to fit back into something that you wore in high school?

Chances are the styles have changed enough to make your look not quite retro, just plain out of style.

My suggestion, stop holding on to your former self and get current with who you want to be. An extra visit to the mall for a reward after a weight loss will have more meaning. Try it on for yourself!

Mental clutter

Getting organized is not only about the stuff that surrounds you. Many times disorder can come from a distracted mind. Before entering any organizational project, it is important to clear your mind of your to do list. In this multitasking society, this is not easy to do. Our mind is constantly moving on to the next idea or the next project.

An easy way to start is by taking 15 minutes at the beginning of the day. Schedule this time to work out a realistic plan for the day.

Be specific, be practical and work on clearing the mental clutter before anything else. These few moments of peace and planning will create a good foundation for the daily tasks of the day.

Consciously slowing your mind down to think through the day will help your productivity as well as your state of mind.

Why am I keeping this stuff?

The most common question I am asked when working with clients on organizing jobs,

"Why am I keeping this stuff?"

The answer becomes a series of other questions, equally cagey...

Can you get this information somewhere else?

Do you have duplicates of the same item?

When is the last time you used this?

Did you realize you even had it?

Would you really miss it, if it was gone?

My best piece of advice is to take the "why" out it, entirely. Here are some tips to help:

1. Examine the item on it's inherent value
2. Determine whether you will use it again
3. Assign a specific need for it

Once you have run the item through these questions, the why seems to take care of itself....

Baby Steps

Instead of taking on the world this resolution season, why not set a few simple goals that can be achieved over time?

Want to redo your entire home? Start small with a closet one weekend, then tackle the kitchen cabinets, the playroom and so on. Steady progress toward a larger goal will help you achieve more throughout the year.

Want to shed those holiday cookie pounds? Start with a bit more exercise in week one, integrate more vegetables into your diet and forgo the elevator for the steps. Increasing your activity and gradually changing your diet will go a long way.

No matter what your goal for 2006 is, you are more assured of getting there by taking a baby step at a time. It is the best way to make resolutions last all year long.