Life is a game board. Time is your opponent. If you procrastinate, you will lose the game. You must make a move to be victorious. Napoleon Hill.

Today a subject that keeps bothering me. My intention to write more often has not become reality and time just goes by doing a lot of things, but looking back not always well spent.

Are you someone that uses excuses to not have to do things?

According to the dictionary Procrastinating is putting off or delaying or deferring an action to a later time. When postponing more urgent matters till tomorrow, you might not know how to tackle the more difficult matter. However, waiting before making the first step, usually does not make easier.

Depending on why you procrastinate, sometimes you delay doing something because you are actually focusing on something more important. However, most of the times, you will run errands for the sake of not to have to do real work. Because for most tasks such as completing a tax return or repairing a fan, you not only need more time but also the right mood. Sometimes, inaction will result in big problems.

I admit, often I rather do chores and delay working on more important items till the last minute. For example, many students do not start a project a few weeks ahead but finish a report just before the deadline. Planning to go to the gym, but when you come home after work you just have to call a friend first. And then it is too late to go.

What can you do?

Here are some tips and tricks I found on line that work for me.

1. Find out what it is that is causing the procrastination. Is it fear of what the result should be and you don’t know how to get there? Maybe it is less daunting when you look at the end result from a different angle. Or is it a dull and tedious task that you are not excited about? Change your mindset and think of the good feeling of a job accomplished instead of those upsetting thoughts.
2. Do it NOW. As soon as you notice that you are postponing doing a specific task, catch yourself and do just one thing to get it started.  It only takes a few minutes to take the first action and then just keep working on it.
3. Sometimes a project is big and complicated. Make a plan of smaller tasks that you can focus on and finish within a realistic time frame. Also, think of getting all materials beforehand or researching the subject for more information on how to do it in advance.
4. If it is not a onetime task, but an activity that you want to implement for the long term, then make time for it every day. Especially if they are easy to start, like going for a walk every day.
5. When you complete an intimidating task reward yourself for your success and change of a “bad” habit.

Do you have similar issues sometimes? Well, You are on the right path! Since you recognized the problem and are looking for ideas how to change your life, you now can apply some of the tips I shared.

If you have a golden nugget on this subject, please post a comment, I love to learn…

Today, I just want to share a quote from one of America’s most admired motivational speakers, Zig Ziglar.

Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a great heart.

Simple, be who you are, do what you say, and do it with a smile. You will look happy and achieve much more.

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‘Life happens’ as they say. Sometimes, things do not work out the way you intended. When I thought about creating a blog, I imagined to write at least twice a month, but as you notice I hardly manage just once a month.

Time is precious, a thing that never comes back and therefore I live each day to the fullest. However, there are times that so many activities and events compete for what to do first. To be able to prioritize at work, but also in your personal life, is a sign of an effective and efficient work style. Many jobs require this skill and high achievers know how to perfect time management.

But you still can live a happy life if your to-do-list does not get shorter and some items are never ticked off done! A mentor or good friend can keep you accountable when you want to achieve a special goal in your career or conquer a specific business or personal objective. A good way to begin the journey is by planning properly and doing one small step at the time. A written plan gives specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-targeted (S.M.A.R.T.) actions and allows keeping track of the various components involved.

Easier said than done. I’m working on my next post, but I want it to be very good. I guess I have high expectations of what the result should be. And that can hinder the progress of any undertaking.

What do you do to stay on track?

Here is a quote from Jim Rohn:

“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.”

Are you ready for 2013?

I am excited about the New Year! Are you feeling the same way?

I just know this will be the best year I had so far. I feel good about what I’m doing with my life and I am in great shape physically.

Today, January 1, 2013 I invited some friends to my house for a New Year’s brunch which I prepared partially last night. Five years ago, I started this tradition on New Years day and people love to come out. It is such a nice start of a new year, meeting friends and making new acquaintances. Here in Florida, it was a gorgeous sunny day, so we had the patio doors open and sat outside for a while sipping mimosas or drinking Dutch beer. A neighbor graciously helped to clean up the house afterwards, so I have some time left for my blog….

My resolutions for 2013:

**I want to be a great friend, sister and daughter;

**I want to be more outgoing and meet new people, complete the Advanced Toastmaster Bronze certificate, and attend social gatherings of the local Dutch club or other cultural events;

**I want to stay fit and active, go to the gym, walk another 5K and join people that like the outdoors;

**I want to eat healthy, do a cleanse and work on my sweet ‘tooth’;

**I want to grow professionally, by looking for more effective ways for recurring tasks at work and finish some projects which I started in 2012.

**I want to inspire fellow female accountants in attending a dinner meeting of the local chapter of the American Women Society of Certified Public Accountants and assist the affiliate in finding quality speakers for these events.

**I like to sharpen my skills and every year I challenge myself to complete the different tests for Volunteer Tax Preparer of the VITA program. This service provides free tax returns for low income families and seniors. I am committed to be a VITA volunteer again for the 2012 tax return season.

**I want to be more assertive and confident when approaching people for participation in my business as a partner or a customer. My goal is to become a National Director by June 2013.

Just some thoughts about what I will be working on in the New Year. However, I like to seize the moment and am always looking for ways to improve my life and become a better person. I’ll keep you posted…..

Do YOU have any goals for 2013? Let me know what you think!