Work at home moms are highly susceptible to distractions while working. There are the obvious distractions that small children can provide, however when working from home, friends and family can often stop by to say hello. When this happens, it can mean that the day’s work can get further behind.

This does not mean that work at home moms cannot be productive in the work environment. Most work at home opportunities allow you to create your own work hours and create your own dress code. In fact, most moms feel that if it weren’t for the casual dress code, they would have more difficulty performing their work.

The hardest decision that work at homes mom will have to face is which business opportunity is worth the effort of pursuing. There are more than enough opportunities that exist, but it is often difficult for moms to choose the program that suits them best. Most companies that offer home assembly of products can pay well, but unless you can be efficient at assembling, there may be better opportunities out there.

Typically, work at home moms have many contacts that are work at home moms as well. Together they can discuss ways to stay home and make money. This exercise can create many new businesses due to the needs of this group. For example, a website was started by work at home moms for work at home moms. They researched online opportunities and discuss the ones that are not scams.

Additionally, moms are able to help each other out making money. If one mom gets busy, she is able to trade babysitting services with a neighbor. Success stories can be shared and by having work at home moms help other work at home moms, this leads to a higher income level for all.

About the Author:

We Place Paid Members Under You. Take A Free Tour Now! http://myworldplus-freedom.eoltt.com
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Time management can be a big issue for stay at home moms that have many things going on in their lives. For mothers that truly want the best for themselves and their families, time management can play a major role as to their success.

If you always feel rushed and you feel you can’t get anything completed during the day you might want to address your time management methods. If you have the feeling of not being able to focus on one thing at a time and not being able to handle distractions well, then you should take a step away from the action and relearn the basics.

Time management is a simple concept: plan and organize your schedule to make your time as clear and productive as possible. However, as with most stay at home moms, we must accept that there will be plenty adversity during the day and we have to deal with it.

If you are finding that you are pressed for free time or that you just feel too busy chasing your kids around, here are some tips to make your time more productive and find some time for yourself.

Wake up a Little Earlier and Take Time to Take Care of Yourself

Remember you have control as to when you wake up. Consider waking up a little earlier. I find that taking the first 30 - 60 minutes of the day to just think does wonders for my mental outlook. Take a few minutes to have a cup of coffee or tea and write down what you need to do for the day or maybe do absolutely nothing. If you want, write down any tasks you promised your family or yourself to do earlier and prioritize as to when you can complete them.

If you really want to do something great take on exercising: wake up 60 minutes earlier than your family and work out. Movement is a great way to start the day and it clears your mind. There is so much to be said for exercising and living a healthy life style. The point is that you want to give yourself a head start. Again: you can control when you wake up.

Take Control of Incoming Demands

Children can be a very powerful distraction that can easily take your focus away. I have two young children (six and three years old) and it seems that they have a request every 30 seconds. Some days I’m reaching for the Excedrin by 9:00 am. However, you must embrace the fact that your family comes first.

The best thing to do here is to try your best to teach your children to ask for things one at a time and also (if age permits) show them how to do things on their own. If you are doing something very important and it’s not a life and death request from your child, try to defer it until you complete the task. Your time can be well spent by teaching your kids to take care of a few things themselves when they ask for something.

Keep a Note Book and Pen Handy

Try to keep a note book with yourself at all times. As long as you are not driving or doing something dangerous, it is best to write down your random thoughts in a note book. This way you can decide what to do with the task when you are ready to review new information. This is a good way to decide if an idea is good enough to pursue. More importantly you can prioritize the idea.

Writing down your ideas and forgotten tasks in a note book can be a powerful tool in dealing with distractions. If you are like me (with a mind going a mile a minute), a note pad and pen is essential to time management.

Time management is necessary for almost anyone in this super busy world we live in. However, I feel it’s even more important for stay at home moms because we are responsible for keeping our families together. Our days are filled with running around for our children, working on multiple projects at the same time plus some of us try to juggle school or a home business. So time management skills are definitely needed and can really help.

About the Author:

Sheri Purfield is developing a team of home based business entrepreneurs. If you really want the opportunity to improve yourself, think about starting your own home business. We sell skin care products that made with the best ingredients and provide results for the people that use them. This opportunity is the “perfect” stay at home mom business. Please visit http://www.independentskincareconsultant.com now for more information.
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By Angela Wills

Many moms (and dads!) get involved in a Network Marketing business so they can spend more time with their kids and then find that the business is taking away more time then it’s giving back. Being WAHM’s (Work At Home Moms) we sometimes get so focused on the goal of making it work we forget that the goal is to free up our time so we are free to do the fun things like get to the soccer games, school events and all the things busy working moms don’t have time for.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

If you find that your business is taking too much time away from your most important reason for doing the business then take some time to think about how you can get your kids involved in your business.

Getting them involved will do at least three things:

- Allow you to spend more time together, which is really the goal, right?
- Teach your child the value of being an entrepreneur.
- Boost self-confidence and teach the importance of working for things you really desire.

Getting the kids involved doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some ideas:

- If you do craft shows or fairs, let the kids come along. They will have tons of fun and often your kids will not be afraid to really let people know what everything is about and ask if they want to buy something!

- Let them do up your mailings. Putting on stamps and labels and folding papers into envelopes are easy things for kids to do.

- If you have great products then let your kids know about them, and how they work. My son loves having a look at what new candles we have and he also likes to hand out a free votive to people he knows to help promote the products.

The important thing to remember here is this is your business and your life. Network Marketing allows you incredible control over how you run your business and involving the kids is a fantastic way to work the business around you and your values!

By Ponn Sabra 

10. Your commute can be as short as sitting up from bed and working on your wireless laptop, or as far as walking to your office computer.

9. No tardy slips, pink slips, or “no more sick or vacation days” notices because you pick the hours, days, and weeks you want to work.

8. Whenever you have an actually face-to-face meeting with clients or vendors, you always surprise them as with your “professional” appearance. (No one needs to know that this is the only real suit you own).

7. No more cold bagged-lunches or long lines waiting for the garlic-onion-spaghetti splattered microwave oven to heat your plain bland white rice leftovers. You can enjoy an inexpensive gourmet meal or fresh Mac & Cheese with your kids.

6. No need to wait for the company’s promise for a built-in recreational hall or discount coupons for the area’s best fitness club. Your options include a jog outside your front door, turning on a yoga video, or just kicking up your heals on your desk as you relax back to catch-up on some well-needed R & R.

5. Work and religion is highly recommended as a means to a sound mind-body-soul balance, rather than debated in a labor board grievance hearing or the federal court system.

4. No need to wait for Take Your Kids to Work Day just to show them how “cool” you “can” be. With kids growing up witnessing your daily sacrifices and hard work, they know how cool you are right now. An even greater reward happens when they ask you to homeschool them.

3. You never have a Dress Code. You can dress as comfortably, gorgeous, and sexy as you chose to be…after all, you’re the Queen of Your Home. [Bumming-around allowed at your discretion].

2. No threats of sexual harassment lawsuits. Spontaneous mid-day love-making is encouraged for a happier, more passionate and enduring marriage.

1. You’re already the Boss of Your Home—you might as well get paid your worth: $1 gazillion!

Nothing is stopping you from achieving your professional goals except you.

By Mike Dougherty

The Most Rewarding And Most Difficult Job In The World

Work at home moms and stay at home moms have the most rewarding and difficult jobs in the world!

You’ve made an important decision to stay at home and raise your children (for that decision I salute you) and you may also be working out of your home…

Either way, you’ve probably looked into a number of ways to generate some extra income for your family.

Most work at home and stay at home moms want an opportunity that lets them stay independent and offers the most flexibility… And wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could also work at something you enjoy or better yet, something you have a passion for?

Opportunities On The Internet

There are some excellent opportunities on the internet for work at home moms and stay at home moms, opportunities that both fit and compliment your stay at home schedule.

And, it is very possible to find an internet niche that can generate some extra income from your hobby or something you either have a passion for already or that can develop into a passion.

I know of one lady that turned her passion for Belly Dancing into a web site that generates a decent income. And a work at home mom I know developed a party web site that now generates a good monthly income.

The Good News

Have you ever noticed how doing something you really enjoy never seems like work? Instead, it’s fun and challenging and you can’t wait to get back to it each day… But what if this thing you enjoy so much was also making some extra income for you and your family or even a decent full time income? That would be very nice indeed wouldn’t it?

The Internet And You

Even if you don’t know a thing about the internet, there are several online companies that offer excellent, easy to use services that will not only help you, but will assist you in putting together a professional looking web site.

And with support from one of these internet companies, you will at least have a very good chance at making some extra income or a good part-time income… And yes, it is possible to develop your site into a full-time income.

Several online companies specialize in this and while I’m not familiar with all of them, there are two that I am familiar with and that I recommend you visit. Site Build It! and iPower.

By visiting these and other web hosting companies you will discover what each has to offer and which service is the best for you.

What To Look For

You want to look for a company that will give you lots of support, take care of the technical side of things allowing you to concentrate on putting together your web site.

Look for a company that includes web hosting, site building and site marketing for one price and doesn’t charge you for new services and features.

Also look for a company that explains everything to you in a written, detail featured manual and informational online forums.

Your Internet Success

As a work at home mom or stay at home mom, you have the opportunity to put together a web site based on your hobby or something you’re passionate about and to develop your site so it generates that extra income or part-time income or even a full-time income your looking for.

And all while you maintain your independence and flexible schedule.

The idea of having your own web site is something I encourage you to look into. Remember the two ladies I mentioned earlier? They turned their interests and their passion into income producing web sites… And so can you!

By Eddy K Elgin

With more mothers stepping out from the kitchen to the desk top workplace, the need to have an effective time management skills are ever increasing important.

Each and individual dad has to perform some tasks for their children, be it being their driver after school, a manager for them and sometimes being a provider for them all. You children have their pals whom their parents picked up for swimming lessons as well. Besides that, you have many chores such as housecleaning, scheduled appointments to take care of.

Your life are totally hectic, there are no shortcut about it. Thanks goodness, there is hope to this problem. You can use some personal time management ideas as one of the ways to effectively manage your day. You simply do not have much time for yourself if you are among one of the busy working moms I have just mentioned.

You might be thinking how you are going to be able to accomplish this. It seems that we know we cannot change the amount of time in a day. There is a good news you can simple start using free personal time management tips, to manage your day better and ending up being a much relaxed person while executing the same work during the working day. First, you have to take a step backward and watch your life. What do you feel is happening to the 24 hours you get everyday? Take a look at exact items on your daily listing that take up a lots of time and try to figure out how to cut down on that time.

Organising pickups and dropoffs point for your kids can really cut down your driving thus making your time well spent. This is in fact a good personal time management practice. There are many little ideas that can be done to help get your time in better perspective. You may have too many appointments. How about watching if you can get them close together or scheduling one day once a week just for appointments and nothing else. If you have kids that are old enough, maybe directing them some workload would reduce yours. This also falls under personal time management practice.

Have to draw a line somewhere

You have to take a stand against any hurdles, when making a change to your life. In the point of view of personal time management for mothers, this describe that you as a mom has to stop all those things that are not so important that prevent you from working towards your objectives. A fast check to dropping those tasks from your appointments is to ask yourself two questions – “will the World stop working if you did not do it right now?” and “does this assist me further my goals?” If the answer is no to both questions, you can safely drop that job from your list.

Take some extra time to perform the job that you would already wanted to do on another day, if you are already ahead of your deadline.

This will make that day more open and will also be a good choice for personal time management. Getting not what you want is always an agony, however a good time management plan can help you achieve that. Therefore, do you think it is about time you try on personal time management practice, and let it work for you.

The personal time management practice has to be appreciated in order to see results in your business.

By Leonard Bartholomew

It is a great idea to be able to stay at home with your kids. If you are tired of putting your kids in day care, which means that you are spending money to send them someplace, just to work very hard at your job without any real pay or benefits, you might be ready to try to find a home based business for moms. There are many things that you can do as a home based business for moms and they are all going to allow you to spend more time at home, with your children.

Reasons Why

There are many reasons why you might want to try a home based business for moms instead of going to work. First of all, you can spend more time at home, which is going to allow you to be with your children and to see them grow up. Imagine if you could stay with them whenever they were home sick from school, and think how nice it would be if the babysitter wasn’t the one to hear your child’s first words. Being able to be there for your children and being able to keep them at home with you is one of the biggest reasons to find a home based business for moms.

Another reason is simple freedom. You are going to be able to actually be at home, and you are going to be able to have the freedom to work the schedule that you would like to work. This means that you can take the time off that you need to take off, and you can be with your family or be at other places when you need to. The best part of having a home based business for moms is that you can set your own hours, which means that you can work when your children are asleep, or you can work while they are at school or are busy. You can stop working when they need you, and you can spend your time doing what you want to be doing, being a mom.

Another reason that many times a home based business for moms is a good idea for you is that you can finally take charge of your life. This means that whatever you want to do, you can do it, and you don’t have to worry about anyone dictating what you do again. This is simply the chance for you to be who you want to be, and to do what you want to do.

Things To Do

When you have decided that you want to do a home based business for moms you are going to need a great idea. Remember that like any other home based business, you have to find a home based business for moms that is either going to sell something, or that is going to provide a service for you. You want to be sure that this is something that you can do, so you need to find an idea for a home based business for moms that is really going to get you going. Remember the best home based business for moms ideas are going to be the ideas that sound really fun to you. The most happy people in the world are the people who have a chance to do things that they love to do, and that have a chance to focus on what they need to focus on in life. By having a home based business for moms you can do both of these things, and you’ll find that you are much happier. It is the best of all of the possible worlds.

5 Steps to Business Success
 

1. Be interested in your product! - When you decide to start your own business, it has been well proven that if you choose something you’re interested in or have specialist knowledge of, such as a hobby or interest, you are much more likely to achieve success. The drive and self-discipline you require to sustain you through that difficult first year will be much stronger if you wake up every morning and are eager to get to work on your idea. We all recognise the importance of work morale and when you are excited and stimulated about your job, rather than finding it mundane and tedious, it is more likely to be successful and profitable.

2. Vary your work - As the boss you have to ‘wear many hats’ - completing many different roles initially, until you get established enough to employ others to help you. Women are renowned for their natural ability to multi-task and it is this variation that will keep you from being bored. You are no longer a work slave - stuck behind your desk working for somebody else - you call the shots! It’s also important to have regular breaks - don’t work through your lunch hour, take a break and come back to work refreshed. If you spend most of your time sitting at your desk, try a walk for 10 minutes - it can help you plan the afternoon ahead and get the circulation going!

3. Flexible working hours - Yet another bonus to being your own boss is that you can choose when to put in the hours. If you find you work best in the morning then try setting your alarm earlier, similarly if you are more of a night-bird continue into the evening. With childcare and family responsibilities it can be great to work when the rest of the house is quiet. Running your own business allows you to adapt your hours to suit your lifestyle. Internet-based businesses for instance are ideal for many women who need to balance family commitments and need flexible working days

4. Be self-disciplined - It’s all too easy to be diverted if you work from home. Often friends and family expect you to be freely available - for a chat in person or on the telephone, something they wouldn’t expect if you were working in an office. Try to set aside a working area - away from distractions, such as: the family, the washing-up, the coffee and biscuits, etc
Getting an answer phone so you can call friends back when it suits you, and a business telephone line can be helpful to prevent interruptions.

5. Customer care - Business surveys reveal that business women excel at customer service and care and one of the most important ways to achieve this is to be readily contactable. Whatever your business does or sells it will have customer enquiries that need to be answered quickly and efficiently. A well-run business needs a phone line, an answer phone, a fax machine, an email address, an address (not a PO box number - many customers don’t trust that) and all these communications should be checked throughout the day.

Twice as many men as women start their own businesses, but the world is changing and women are ‘breaking the glass ceiling’ in the business world. With determination, self-confidence and belief in their ability women are becoming highly successful entrepreneurs, and along with their hard efforts come profits and career satisfaction.

By: Fiona Howard

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Fiona Howard specializes in writing for the financial and business market, and is a well-respected city analyst. She currently advises Loan-Loans-Mortgage, one of the leading UK online sites for finding a fast Business Loan. Fiona specializes in providing advice and information for women entrepreneurs.

When I started my internet business three months ago by joining the pluginprofitsite I wasn´t aware of the fact which kind of a huge global market I had tapped into.Fighting the overall common information overload of a newbie and trying to stay focussed I learned as much as I possibly could to be able to get the big picture.

My passion for working from home had awakened to my own surprise almost overnight and had exploded like wildfire into my daily activities. My whole life changed. I was determined to make this work whatever it might take. I was ready to sacrifice my time, my money and my energy. Funny thing was that all of a sudden I had strength and I knew it was the right thing I was doing. I trusted myself on this and failure was not part of my plan.

A few things went wrong, of course and I had to pay for it. My autoresponder account at aweber was terminated without prior warning because of a few spamming complaints. And I lost a six months worth subscription right after 3 weeks.

But I decided to wander a new path other than wasting my valuable time in pursuing matters that were already lost. Yes, time management is a very important factor if you want to be effective with your work.

Every day you have to make decicions about what to do and what not. It´s very easy to get distracted and hung up on technical problems. It always helped me to get back to the big picture and I took notes every day what I had spent my time with.

My experience was that with every day in business it became clearer to me how I wanted my business to be and which tasks were most important to be taken care of in order to make progress. And that´s what a business should do: Make progress.

I want to build a team of passionate `homebizzers´ on a global scale. I want to learn from those guys who already live up to their expectations and I want to pass on the knowledge to those who come after me. My mentor earns money when I earn money and I earn money when I build a team under me and they build a team under them, these are the basics of MLM. A great opportunity.

As an affiliate the most important thing to do is drive traffic to your affilate gateways and thereare quite a few different methods to choose from such as traffic exchanges, PPC, posting in forums, ezine ads, blog, email marketing, submitting a site to the search engines, exchanging links, JVs and article writing. Some of them are free and some aren´t but all have one thing in common. Success doesn´t come overnight. It takes a while to figure out how things work and to find the method that one enjoys doing the most.

In the beginning it´s always kind of hard because everything is new and collecting the knowledge required brings frustration sometimes. When frustration or disappointment arises one should be immediately aware where this state of mind is going to lead you. In my experience my energy tends to go down, negative thoughts come up and feelings of uncertainty or fear of failure prevail.

These moments occur in everybody´s life once in a while and in business maybe more often. It is immensely important to watch the mind and where it wants to take you. You might not want to go on that road but it seems like you can´t help it sometimes.

That´s not true. You can! Just try this little experiment: Close your eyes for a few minutes and watch your thoughts and feelings that arise within you. Stay aloof though don´t get involved. After a while you´ll notice that something changes or has changed. You have brought awareness to the process - it´s like bringing light into a dark room -and everything changes.

The negative feelings might have gone or are changing, you might realize while you are watching your thoughts and feelings that you feel more calm and quiet than before and the mind has loosened it´s grip. There are a whole bunch of interesting things going on inside you.

The best way to deal with these kind of situations is either giving as little attention as possible to the distracting thoughts and feelings or if they are too persistent and bothering just take a few minutes break and give it all your attention - just watching, doing nothing. Then you can go back to work.

Once you´ve gained watching experience and got to know yourself better it´s much easier to manage your own mind and decide for yourself which mindset is right for you.

The mindset of an entrepreneur is like an arrow, always aiming at progress and improvement. He is in charge of everything and if he fails the responsibility is all his. Strength and trust in himself will help him rise over weakness, uncertainty and fear.

By: Niru

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Resource Box: Ingrid Nirupama Grzeskowiak contributes regularly with her thoughts and insights about various issues of human life. She has helped people solve their personal problems as a teacher and personal development coach in Europe; she has 20 years experience in meditation technics and yoga which helped her to regain and maintain her inner balance. Just recently Ingrid added her passion for home business to her favorite activities. You can “meet” her at her homepage at Go4yourMoney.com

Working at home is not really as easy as it sounds. Just because you are at home doesn’t mean that things will be any easier than when you were working in the company premises. In some instances, working at home could be a lot more complicated than working in the company office. For instance, if you have kids, they may not really understand why you cannot give them your full attention. Kids can be very demanding at times and would not take no for an answer. There will be times when you will be torn between working on a project and helping your kids with their school work.

Time management issues

One of the biggest challenges of working at home is time management. Since you are on your own and you get to do whatever you want with your time, you could really get into trouble if you lack self-disciple and proper focus. There are many work-at-home parents who become too complacent when it comes to following their work schedules especially when they see a lot of interesting things to do in the house. The more you procrastinate and make excuses not to work in your office, the worst off you will be.

In order for you to stay focused on your work, you should always keep your eyes on your goals. To become a successful work-at-home parent, you should always maintain a daily work plan and stick with it. You daily work plan should include specific timeframes for each work at hand. For instance, if you are a freelance writer, make sure that you set time to each assignment you have. Finish your assignments within the designated timeframe and do not jump from one task to another unless you are already done with that certain task.

When making your daily work plan, make sure that you allocate enough time for the family. Always bear in mind that your family also needs your attention so do not take them for granted. Put some break times in your work schedule so that you can spend sometime with your kids during the day or night. Make sure that you kids understand that you have a work schedule and are only available to them during break times. If your kids are too young to understand that you have a work schedule, you better make sure that you design your work schedule to fit your children’s daily routine. For instance, you can work during your children’s playtime or nap time. When your kids are busy doing something, there is less possibility that they will bother you.

Your commitment to your daily work plan is essential. It will not do you any good at all if you just simply make a work plan for the sake of making one and never really follow that plan.

By: Dustin H Cannon -

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Learn how to start your own home business online earning multiple streams of income at Plug-In Profit Site.

By Angela Wills

Mom, does your day look something like this:

__ Bring the baby to playgroup
__ Wash dishes
__ Respond to emails
__ Play outside
__ Make phone calls to leads
__ Make dinner
__ ETC!!

(more…)

Sometimes we all need some words of encouragement. Whether it is to help you or for you to share with someone else, here are some inspirational quotes.

You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.
~ Jim Stovall

You only have to do a very few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong.
~ Warren Buffett

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
~ Theodore Roosevelt

Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right!
~ Henry Ford

You must either modify your dreams or magnify your skills.
~ Jim Rohn

Who likes not his business, his business likes not him.
~ William Hazlitt

To succeed in business, to reach the top, an individual must know all it is possible to know about that business.
~ J. Paul Getty

To succeed… You need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you.
~ Tony Dorsett

The only limits are, as always, those of vision.
~ James Broughton

To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.
~ George Kneller

To the degree we’re not living our dreams; our comfort zone has more control of us than we have over ourselves.
~ Peter McWilliams

To think is easy. To act is difficult. To act as one thinks is the most difficult.
~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goeth

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.
~ Spanish Proverb

The noblest search is the search for excellence
~ Lyndon B. Johnson

The man who does not work for the love of work but only for money is not likely to neither make money nor find much fun in life.
~ Charles M. Schwab

The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water; but to walk on the earth.
~ Chinese Proverb

The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed.
~ Henry Ford

Today we have more stress in our lives than ever before – good stress, bad stress, red stress, blue stress (my little ode to Dr. Seuss). No matter what kind of stress it is, a real crisis or an imagined one, stress is incredibly harmful to our body, mind and soul.

Here are my favourite self-care habits for dealing with stress:

1. Get in the habit of noticing.

Take an inventory of all the things that just don’t feel right in your life or that you know are causing you stress. For example, when you approach certain people, places or situations do you feel more stress and tension? Once you have your list in place, look at what you can change yourself, and do it. You can also use this list to predict stressful situations before they occur.

2. Get in the habit of asking for help.

For what you can’t change yourself, you need a team. Build a team of experts to handle your list. A coach, at the top of the list, will help with the big picture and will keep you honest about your efforts. Other team members might be a family doctor who listens to you, a financial planner, a massage therapist and an exercise partner.

3. Get in the habit of bouncing back.

Think of Plan A as your basic self-care plan while stress is under control. Now imagine something happens and you are under stress. Instead of abandoning all self-care because you can’t do it all, have a Plan B ready beforehand.

4. Get in the habit of relaxing.

If you practice relaxation techniques (breathing, meditation, imagery, music) every day, then when stressful situations come up you’ll have the tools at your fingertips.

5. Get in the habit of gratitude.

Our attitude comes from our emotions and our emotions come from our thoughts. Thinking about what we’re grateful for and what we’re good at can keep things positive. It’s not about shying away from what’s challenging you – it’s about approaching life from a place of strength and not as a victim.

6. Get in the habit of creating.

Experiment with a new recipe in the kitchen, write a poem, bang a drum, do a craft, take a dance class or do something else that feels creative to you.

7. Get in the habit of putting your stuff away.

Physical clutter can really impact on mental, emotional and physical health. Get rid of things that don’t make you happy when you look at them. Organize your stuff. Find a place for everything and keep it there.

8. Get in the habit of breathing.

This is the simplest and quickest way to relax yourself in a stressful situation. The minute you focus on your breathing it automatically gets slower and deeper.

9. Get in the habit of daydreaming.

Take yourself away on an imaginary holiday. Just close your eyes and go! Picture somewhere you’ve been or somewhere you’ve dreamed of.

10. Get in the habit of giggling.

Laugh out loud every day.

Don’t let your stress get the better of you! Which one of these strategies can you apply this week to manage your stress?

Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services. All rights reserved.

We are currently living in a capitalist society where money and power rule. Therefore, many of us have become workaholics and often overlook signs of tiredness in order to stay on track. I am not saying that people should stop working hard to achieve their goals. However, there is a slight problem we do not know how to manage our stress, which is definitely not a good thing! Stress has been linked to mental/emotional (depression, anxiety, and anger) and physical illnesses (weakens the immune system). Therefore, it is more than important that you constantly work on reducing your stress level in order to maintain your overall health. The bottom line is, if we are not healthy there is no money or power that will make things better. So, take care of yourself. Below, I have added six stress releasing tips.

Exercise: even if you go for a walk for 15-25 minutes four days a week it will help your body to get rid of adrenaline and produce endorphins (a natural tranquilizer). Not to mention you will not only feel better, you will also look the part.

Yoga: Many ramble that practicing yoga is the best way to manage or release stress. It focuses on breathing techniques, exercises, connecting with the universe on a spiritual and mental level. If this option seems interesting to you I suggest you do some research in order to learn the principles and decide if it is for you.

Stretch: People often stretch before and after a workout. However, learning stretching and flexing exercises to use as a way to relieve tension on many different areas of the body can help a great deal.

Massage: We all know how massages can help us relax and release tension. Prices start around $40 for 30 minutes; it all depends on what extra relaxation techniques you would like to add to the massage such as aromatherapy, oils, etc. There are also different types of massages so this will also affect the price. I actually found a therapist that charges $33 for a 30 minute session. It sounds pretty good to me. We waste money in so many different ways so investing on a massage once in a while will not kill our pockets.

Laugh it off: Rent a funny movie and laugh out loud. Go out with friends or host gatherings. Tell everyone to bring a platter. Remember the key is to release tension not, add to it. Use paper plates and plastic cups to reduce the amount of work.

Take a break- Take time to relax, sleep, and maybe even take a vacation if you can. Your body does not only need it; you deserve it.

Live stress free,

Kenia Morales

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Stress relief and management

Recognizing stress symptoms can be a positive influence in that we’re compelled to take action. The sooner the better. It’s not always easy to discern why the stress in each situation but some of the more common events that trigger those emotions are the death of a loved one, the birth of a child, a job promotion, or a new relationship, we experience stress as we readjust our lives. Your body is asking for your help when you feel these stress symptoms.

In so adjusting to different circumstances, stress will help or hinder us depending on how we react to it. Some of the symptoms are headaches, indigestion, tight muscles, fatigue, skin breakouts, too much sleep, or sleeplessness.

On the emotional side signs of being moody, abrasive or hostile, depressed and over anxious are pretty strong indicators as well. From a mental point of view extra attention should be given too disorganization, lack of interest, negative self introspection, poor judgment, confusion and math errors. None of these signs are conclusive but certainly warrant your attention.

This symptom list is based on a compilation of information relating to stress and anxiety found in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), copyright 1994, American Psychiatric Association.

Children of all ages are also seriously impacted. Lack of attention, poor school grades are some of the early warning signals and should be taken head on immediately. In talking and working with children you’d be surprised on what’s going on in their heads. Probably more than you even thought about.

They are various techniques and ways of stress management. Counseling is the most common. Medical and psychological health providers often rely on medications as well. There are also various natural and holistic approaches that confront the stress symptoms quite well. Quick management is important and yields big benefits. Don’t sit around second guessing but take a positive action today. You’ll be glad you did.

Do you feel stress at work? Do you carry your stress home with you at night?

Here are some tips that will help you achieve success over stress. You can reduce stress on the job.

1. When making phone calls, as you pick up the phone and dial, take three slow deep breaths. Concentrate on pushing tension out of your lungs as you exhale.

2. Sit down to eat. (Do not eat while standing or driving in your car) Focus on relaxing and enjoyable talk at lunchtime. If co-workers only insist on rehashing all of the negative stuff at work, insist on eating alone.

3. When you drive your car to your business or your job, listen to something enjoyable or motivating.

4. On the way home from your business or your job, listen to enjoyable or relaxing music.

5. Take a few minutes each day to thank God, in whatever form is consistent with your belief system, for the glorious sunrise. At sunset, do the same. If you are at work while the sun is setting, take a quick break to watch the sun set and again, thank your concept of “God” for the glorious sunset.

6. Take a few minutes at work to think of people who may have harmed you in any way. Breathe deeply, relax, and push out all of the tension surrounding those thoughts. Fill your hear and your lungs with forgiveness for the person or persons who have harmed you. Wish for them the same success and happiness you wish for yourself.

7. Live today as if it where your last day. Make your last day, your best day!

Summary:

Use the seven tips to relieve stress at work and enjoy your job and your life.

Workplace stress is on the rise and it’s costing corporate America a fortune. Some estimate that 80% of health care costs are stress related, and these expenses go right to the bottom line.

According to CNN-Money.com, Americans spent more than $17 billion for anti-depressants and anti- anxiety drugs in 2002, up 10% from the year before and nearly 30% over a two year period.

The Institute for Management Excellence reports that American industry spends more than $26 billion each year for medical bills and disability payments with another $10 billion for executive’s lost workdays, hospitalization, and early death.

In addition to these staggering figures, stress takes its toll through the added costs of quality control, legal challenges, lost opportunities, poor performance, bad attitudes, and training.

We cannot do much about the skyrocketing costs of medical care and prescription drugs, but we can take immediate action to control the top ten causes of stress as identified by The Global Business and Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health.

The countdown is:

10. “Workload” – Employees report that they are often stressed when they have too little or too much to do. Managers need to divide responsibilities and help employees prioritize work that must be done. Make sure you understand the impact before shifting responsibilities. Take into account the cost of stress before you increase anyone’s workload or hire more people.

9. “Random interruptions” - Telephones, pagers, walk-in visits, and spontaneous demands from supervisors all contribute to increased stress. Time management, delegation of responsibilities, and clarification of expectations can reduce these stressors. 8. “Pervasive uncertainty” – Stress levels increase rapidly when people are confronted by new requirements and procedures. Keeping people informed controls stress and increases productivity. Put details in a memo so they can review the facts following your explanations.

7. “Mistrust and unfairness” - These situations keep everyone on edge, create bad attitudes, and lower productivity. It is important to keep an open line of communication to avoid misunderstanding and know what people are thinking about your decisions. Managers must consistently build trust and give equal treatment - just do the right thing.

6. “Unclear policies and no sense of direction” - Lack of focus causes uncertainty and undermines confidence in management. You need more than a well-written policy manual. Enforcement of policies and clear communications are essential.

To make sure everyone gets the message, you can repeat your explanation in a variety of ways – repetition and feedback are important. Reinforce policies through memos, articles, bulletin board postings, personal meetings, and small group discussions.

5. “Career and job ambiguity” - If people are uncertain about their jobs and careers, there is a feeling of helplessness and of being out of control. In addition to the trusted job descriptions and annual personnel reviews, people need to understand a broad range of issues that affect the company.

News of mergers, consolidations, plant closings, and restructuring contribute to a feeling of helplessness. Management must keep people informed about situations that will affect their jobs, or the rumor mill will add to an already stressful situation.

4. “No feedback - good or bad” – People want to know whether they are meeting expectations. Consistent, written and verbal, personalized feedback is required. Some people need more attention than others, but everyone’s performance is enhanced if leaders frequently affirm individual efforts.

3. “No appreciation” - Failure to show appreciation generates stress that endangers productivity throughout the company. There are many ways to demonstrate appreciation, but the most effective is a sincere comment about how much the person means to you and the company.

2. “Lack of communications” - Poor communication leads to decreased performance and increased stress. Management memos and announcements work well for distributing information, but two-way conversation improves communication and solicits ideas and suggestions while reducing stress and complaints.

1. “Lack of control” – Workplace stress is at its greatest when employees have no say regarding things that affect them. You can decrease sensitivity to all the other stressors and give a sense of being in control by involving employees in operating and administrative decisions and acting on their input. Frontline employees know what they are talking about. Listening to what they have to say reduces stress and increases productivity.

Effective managers understand that stress control is a leadership responsibility and give it just as much attention as any other management function. For those who want to explore stress control further, a free 3-session e-course is available by email request at stresscontrol@sendfree.com

Grasping the concepts and reducing stress one step at a time can have an amazing impact on your bottom line –and on the lives of those who do the heavy work.

Do you feel tense and anxious at work? Do your co-workers and/or boss make you crazy? Is your personal life less than blissful? If so, you’ve got stress. If you’re like most people you’ve sought refuge from this situation by trying a quick fix or two like calling a friend, walking the dog, or going away for the weekend in an attempt to escape it all. While these strategies may serve as temporary diversions, nothing in your life changes when you return to your routine.

Stress is internal, which explains why it can wreak havoc on your health. It feels awful…it’s the sense that you’re not in control. The easiest way to mitigate its effect is to take charge of the one and only thing you have the power to control…YOU, and let go of what you can’t control. The beauty of this recipe is that by taking control of your life, external or outside things will change in response to your internal changes. Here are 10 steps to destress for your present and future:

1. Heal yourself.

Dr. Bruce McEwen, who wrote The End of Stress As We Know It, suggests that eliminating stress comes right from your grandmother’s journal. He says the most effective steps you can take are the simplest: exercise, a healthy diet, regular sleep, moderate to minimal alcohol intake, and no smoking. This, he notes, is the most sophisticated, up to the minute, cutting edge science available!

2. Get organized.

Physical clutter reminds us of things that need to be done and that’s stressful. Remove your physical clutter and you’ll eradicate your mental clutter, plus you’ll feel energized. Please go to http://topten.org/public/AG/AG306.html for a simple organizing solution that will work on any space.

3. Set boundaries.

Boundaries act as a filter to keep you safe from the hurtful behavior of others while allowing in the love, support and nurturing actions we all need. Set your boundaries by: (a) determining what others cannot do to you or in your presence and (b) sharing this information respectfully with anyone who is stepping over one of your boundaries.

4. Take time for yourself.

Put together a list of all the things you love to do but haven’t regularly made time to do. Put your list in priority order and enter the top five to seven items into your daily calendar. Your list may include things as simple as journaling, reading a great book, taking a bubble bath, yoga, etc. You’ll be more successful getting to these activities when you give them a time and place on your calendar.

5. Be positive.

William James, the father of modern psychology said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind.” In other words, what you say and what you tell yourself impact the present and create your future. Love yourself and use the power of positive words, pleasing thoughts and affirming beliefs to live the life you want to live.

6. Work in a career you love.

If you’re like most people, you spend the majority of your waking hours at work. You’ll know you’re in the right profession when: you wake up anxious to go to work, you want to do your best daily, and you know your work is important.

7. Surround yourself with a supportive community.

You are who you spend time with. Hang out with people who love and accept you just the way you are, are interested in you (not what you can do for them), lift you up (not wear you down), solve problems quickly, don’t gossip or complain, and know how to have fun. Anything is possible with the right support.

8. Learn to say, “No.”

We’ve all been influenced by people in our life who tell us we should do this or we ought to do that. As a result, we may end up living a life that others have decided for us versus living the life we want. So, the next time you think of something you ought to do or someone else suggests you should do, take a breath and ask yourself if it’s something you want to do. If not, just say, “no” or “no thank you.” When you say no to things you don’t care to do, you are saying yes to you and this will free up your time and energy for the things you choose to do. Bottom line - you’ll be happier.

9. Zap tolerations.

A toleration is something that irritates you and drains your energy because it needs to be done, fixed, removed, or changed. If you’re like most people you may be tolerating 100 or more things! Put together a list of all the things that bug you, e.g. a dripping faucet, money concerns, your weight, shopping and running errands, not enough time, computer files out of control, your hair, a room that needs to be painted, etc. When your list is complete, group like items and see if one solution will eliminate multiple tolerations. For example, if you have piles of clothing in each bedroom, dirty windows and dust bunnies on your floor, hiring a housekeeper will zap all three tolerations. Line up a housekeeper, today. Then, commit to spending a chunk of time each week to zap your other tolerations. If you have a toleration that you don’t have the skill or know-how to fix, consider calling an expert or seek out a skilled professional to trade services with.

10. Get your needs met.

A “need” is not an option, it is something you must have to function fully. It is differentiated from a “want” in that a want is optional. Unmet needs can drive you to distraction and worse. Determine what needs you have that aren’t being met, if any, and then take the appropriate action to get them fulfilled. Example: If you’ve taken a big hit and are going through a career transition, ask a good friend to call you two or three times a week to check in with you and give you support. Other options include calling your own voice mail and leaving supportive messages or hiring a coach who specializes in career transitions. When you acknowledge and satisfy your needs, you will be free to focus on other areas of your life.

If you want to be happier and more successful, focus on the things you have the power to control.

This article will help you check yourself for burnout. It helps you look at the way you feel about your job and your experiences at work, so that you can get a feel for whether you might be at risk of burnout or not.

1. Too much to do in too little time.
Take a look at your lifestyle and your workload. Do you feel overworked? Are you are being too accommodating. Should you let people know that you have too much work to do? Should you be politely turning down new work that people pass you? Remember that you will have to say “no” at some stage, otherwise your commitments will get bigger and bigger. You must learn to say no to commitments that you should not take on, otherwise you will be in severe danger of becoming intensely stressed and exhausted.
Check that you are using all the resources that are available to you in your work place. You may find another employee has an intern and you are entitled to one too. You could take a time management course.

2. Avoid exhaustion.
Exhaustion is one of the main reasons people become burnt out. The importance of sleep and rest is vital if you feel you are on the verge of burning out. Going on a good long holiday is a great way to avoid burn out. Be well prepared so that you do not have to bring your lap top or mobile. Ensure it will be as relaxing as possible without the distractions or pressure of work. Forget about it all for a week and enjoy the sun. It will do you good!

3. Protect your passion for the job.
Another major factor in burn out is disillusionment with your work, especially if you are somebody that gets great satisfaction out of their job. It is important to protect the parts of your job that give you the most satisfaction. Think of the people you serve. If you burn out, they will not get the benefit of working with the enthusiasm that loving your job creates.
There is a lot of things you can do to avoid becoming burnt out. The first thing though, is to check if you are at risk, and if so, take this seriously and take action.

Secret to Success

The Secret to Success is first and foremost a challenge to define what “success” is. For your consideration, is the success that you pursue related to money, health, well-being, career, relationships, life satisfaction and purpose, development of spirit, travel and adventure, productivity, or security? You can not achieve success without knowing what it is. This is often easier said than done… Do not assume that this is an easy challenge. This process of defining success is often difficult but by far the most critical step. Many people will lack clarity and then chase too many goals at one time to allow for success in any of these areas. Secret: Do not spread your resources too thin… Keep a tight focus, for a better chance at success.

Knowing whether your definition of success is realistic can be another conundrum. Is it achievable with your available resources? If not, can you acquire the necessary resources? Sometimes this is very hard to know because you may have no control over other important people, situations, or conditions. Being difficult should not be a reason to stop pursuing your dream, but a good understanding of the steps to accomplish your success can be essential. I say this because many people have a naïve attitude regarding what it takes to be successful. Most people do not stumble into success.

Appreciating your success is also a major factor in achieving satisfaction from all your hard work. A lack of integration of mind, body, and spirit can lead to less desirable outcomes. In other words, if you are not really taking good care of yourself it is very difficult to celebrate your successful accomplishments, and may in fact, sabotage your success.

Self-satisfaction is extremely important, but often sharing your success has even great value. Do you have people to share your victory with? Will they really understand your efforts and your needed level of commitment to reach your goal? What will you be able to do now that you have achieved your success that you could not have done before?

A final question, are you interested in achieving success and satisfaction by assisting other people to be successful? For some people, there is no real need to breed success in other people. For some, teaching, mentoring, or coaching other people, or teams, to success is the pinnacle of satisfaction.

Look for our follow up articles to break down each of the main ingredients for achieving your most important successes.

Appreciating your success is a major factor in achieving satisfaction from all your hard work. A lack of integration of mind, body, and spirit can lead to less desirable outcomes. In other words, if you are not really taking good care of yourself it is very difficult to celebrate your successful accomplishments, and may in fact, sabotage your success.

If you do not have your mind, your body, and your spirit in proper alignment, you will not find satisfaction in your success.

Your mental attitude is a huge factor in accomplishing your goals and appreciation of your success. Negativity, anxiety, depression, stress, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, communication problems, substance abuse, and even memory retention can be serious challenges when your mind is not in focus. Any and all of these symptoms will sabotage your path toward success. They can also ruin your celebration of accomplishment. You can minimize the negative challenges by increasing your awareness regarding your habitual response to stress and then developing your stress management skills. You can increase your productivity and enhance your performance by ridding yourself of unnecessary stress.

The connection between your mind and your body has long been acknowledged. If you do not care properly for your body, you will create situations and responses that will distract your mind from the focus attention you require to build long-term success. Though self-care of your body requires time and energy, this will be re-paid many times over by health, focus, improved energy, and the fewer distractions that your body will create. “There is no place for an anxious mind in a relaxed body.” (Edmond Jacobson said in the 1920’s as he developed Jacobson’s Progressive Relaxation Training.)

The most interesting connection is that by learning to take better care of your mind and your body, you will connect in positive way with your spirit. Pain and anxiety can keep you from experiencing your spirit. When your spirit is strong you are more tolerant and accepting, even of yourself. Your passion for your life can be amplified. Your life can find better balance and so you are less a victim to internal and external distractions. With the positive connections of mind, body and spirit, you can achieve greater productivity with less effort and discomfort.

Since these factors are all interrelated and you can learn to minimize the negative and enhance the positive, you will find your successes can flourish and satisfy you.

Consider your deeply held values and find goals that will lead to successes that feed your spirit and create extra treasures in your life. More in our next related articles.

Regardless of whether you are a student, work at home mom, a web designer, or a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, prioritizing your work is critical to your success. Failing to prioritize your work load usually results in being extremely inefficient and extremely stressed out. How many times have you thought to yourself “I have so much to do today, how am I ever going to get it all done?”

There is no exact science to prioritizing, but there are several tips that should help you become a more efficient, less stressed version of your current self:

• Make a list – this may seem obvious but you’d be surprised at how many people try to organize their tasks in their head. You’ll often find that you feel a lot better just getting everything out so that you can see it in one place.
• Consider time constraints – what absolutely needs to get done today and what can wait until tomorrow or next week. Everything may be important eventually, but some things are more important now.
• Consider people constraints – all things equal, move things that other people are waiting on to the top of the list. If you know that your manager can’t finish his proposal without your part, that’s more important than the thing that you always do on Wednesday that could just as well be done on Thursday.
• Consider the consequences – are you going to get fired if you don’t do something? Is another task going to give you the inside track on that promotion? Those things should be more important than mildly inconveniencing the sales manager by responding to their email a day late.
• Re-prioritize as necessary – let’s face it, priorities change. As they do, update your list. It will give you a sense of control over the situation.
• Remove unimportant items – is there something on your list that you always push to the bottom and never end up doing? Then get it off the list. It doesn’t belong there.
• Don’t list EVERYTHING – only list crucial tasks. You don’t need to list routine tasks (like lunch) or menial tasks (like checking your email). Also, you’re going into too much detail if you put down prioritizing as a task.
• Do everything you can to keep your list small – this means saying NO sometimes. You are not other people’s gopher. Do your work and help other people with theirs when you have something to offer, but don’t do their work for them. Along the same lines, learn to delegate things to the people that are supposed to be doing them. Why book your plane tickets when you have an assistant for that?

I’ve divided my tips into two sections - 5 ways to manage your time and 5 ways to take back your time. Both offer daily or regular practices to try out in your life right now.

The first section focuses more on easing the time pressures in your life, to deal with all of the things you’ve gotten yourself into

The second section focuses on making overall changes to your life. When you take back your time you also take back your CHOICE. When we’re feeling time pressured and stressed out it’s easy to forget that we have any say in the matter. And we do!

5 WAYS TO MANAGE YOUR TIME

1. Choose specific times to look at email during the day - seeing emails as they come in can really distract you from what you’re trying to accomplish and you’ll end up losing time as you go back and forth between activities.

2. The 15-minute strategy. This not only helps motivate you by breaking down large jobs into smaller pieces, it also makes good use of your time. The strategy is to spend 15-minutes on a task and then move on the next. You can come back to the first one as many times as you need to until it’s done.

3. Find a system that works for you for making and meeting deadlines and appointments - a calendar or day-timer. I use a Palm Pilot and have been really happy with it.

4. Plan and cook meals ahead of time. A huge time-saver and also makes it much easier to eat healthier. It could be as simple as cooking an extra portion of dinner and having it for lunch the next day, or you could plan out seven days at a time (which is what I do).

5. Keep up with things - whether it’s tidying up your papers, doing the dishes or working on a report, doing things a bit at a time (see tip #2) instead of letting them pile up to the point of taking you all day, is much more manageable.

5 WAYS TO TAKE BACK YOUR TIME

1. Set and keep your boundaries - if you work for someone else, be clear about over-time and taking work home with you. If you work for yourself, establish the times of day that are no-work zones; good places to start are breaks for meals and deciding when you will start and stop work for the day.

2. Make one day a week “timeless” – rise and shine when you feel like it, eat when you’re hungry and let your inner child (or your actual child!) plan your day’s activities. Warning: This may conflict with the tip below

3. Cut your t.v. time - try limiting it to one hour per day. Or try cutting it out completely for one week.

4. Buddy up and find someone to take back time with. Whether it’s your spouse, best friend, family member or work colleague, if you’re both committed you won’t let each other bow out.

5. Take your holidays! Whether you’re self-employed or work for someone else it’s important to take time off to rejuvenate. You will be more productive for it in the long run.

Where do you need to take back time in your life? Where do you need to manage your time better?

(c) Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services.

By Gene Griessman, PhD
            Many of us have an image of personal balance as a set of scales in perfect balance every day. But that’s an unrealistic goal. You are in for a lot of frustration if you try to allocate within every day a predetermined portion of time for work, family and your social life.  An illness may upset all your plans. A business project may demand peaks of intense work, followed by valleys of slow time.
            Balance requires continual adjustments, like an acrobat on a high wire who constantly shifts his weight to the right and to the left. By focusing on four main areas of your life – emotional/spiritual needs, relationships, intellectual needs and physical needs – at work and away from  work, you can begin to walk the high wire safely.
            Here, drawn from my conversations with many high successful Americans, are ten ideas for balancing all aspects of your life:
1.      Make an appointment with yourself. Banish from your mind the idea that everyone takes precedence over you. Don’t use your organizer or calendar just for appointments with others. Give yourself some prime time. Regularly  do something you enjoy. It will recharge your batteries. Once you’ve put yourself on your calendar, guard those appointments. Kay Koplovitz founder of the USA cable television network, which is on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. Koplovitz ran the daily operations of the network for 21 years. For more than two decades, there was always some potential claim on her time. Therefore she vigilantly protected a scheduled tennis match just as she would a business appointment.
2.      Care for your body. Having a high energy level is a trait held by many highly successful people. No matter what your present level of energy, you can increase it by following these steps:
Eat. Don’t skip meals. Your physical and mental energy depend upon nourishment. Irregular eating patterns can cause a frayed temper, depression, lack of creativity and a nervous stomach.
Exercise. Over and over again, highly successful people mention the benefit of exercise routines. Johnetta Cole, president of Bennett College for Women and former president of Spelman College, does a four-mile walk each morning. She calls it her mobile meditation. The benefits of exercise are mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. If you are healthier and have more stamina, you can work better and longer.
Rest. A psychologist who has studied creative people reports that they rest often and sleep a lot.
3.      Cut some slack. You do not have to do everything. Just the right things. Publisher Steve Forbes taught me a lesson: “Don’t be a slave to your in-box. Just because there’s something there doesn’t mean you have to do it.” As a result, every evening, I extract from my long list to-do list just a few “musts” for the following day. If, but three o’clock the next day, I’ve crossed off all the “musts,” I know that everything else I do that day will be icing on the cake. It is a great psychological plus for me.
There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself hard, disciplining yourself to
do what needs to be done when you hold yourself to the highest standards. That builds up stamina and turns you into a pro. At time, though, you must forgive yourself. You will never become 100 percent efficient, nor should you expect to be. After something does not work, ask yourself, “Did I do my best? If you did, accept the outcome. All you can do is all you can do.
4.      Blur the boundaries. Some very successful people achieve balance by setting aside times or days for family, recreation, hobbies or the like. They create boundaries around certain activities and protect them. Other individuals who are just as successful do just the opposite. They blur the boundaries. Says consultant Alan Weiss, “I work out of my home. In the afternoon, I might be watching my kids play at the pool or be out with my wife. On Saturday, or at ten o’clock on a weeknight, I might be working. I do things when the spirit moves me, and when they’re appropriate.”
Some jobs don’t lend themselves to this strategy. But blurring the boundaries is possible more often than you may think. One way is to involve people you care about in what you do. For example, many companies encourage employees to bring their spouses to conferences and annual meetings. It’s a good idea. If people who mean a great deal to you understand what you do, they can share more fully in your successes and failures. They also are more likely to be a good sounding board for your ideas.
5.      Take a break. Many therapists believe that taking a break from a work routine can have major benefits for mental and physical health. Professional speaker and executive coach Barbara Pagano practices a kind of quick charge, by scheduling a day every few months with no agenda. For her, that means staying in her pajamas, unplugging the phone, watching old movie or reading a novel in bed. For that one day, nothing happens, except what she decides from hour to hour. Adds singer and composer Billy Joel, “There are times when you need to let the field lie fallow.” Joel is describing what farmers often do: let a plot rest so the soil can replenish itself.
6.      Take the road less traveled. Occasionally, get off the expressway and take a side road, literally and figuratively. That road may take you to the library or to the golf course. Do something out of the ordinary to avoid the well-worn grooves of your life. Try a new route to work, a different radio station or a different cereal. Break out of your old mold occasionally, with a new way to dress or a different hobby. The road less traveled can be a reward after a demanding event, a carrot that you reward your self with or it can be a good way to loosen up before a big event. Bobby Dodd, the legendary football coach at Georgia Tech, knew the power of this concept. While other coaches were putting their teams through brutal twice-a-day practices, Dodd’s team did their drills and practices, but then took time to relax, play touch football and enjoy the bowl sites. Did the idea work? In six straight championships games!
7.      Be still. Susan Taylor, editorial director of Essence, sees to it that she has quiet time every morning. She regards it as a time for centering – for being still and listening. She keeps a paper and pen with her to jot down ideas that come to her. The way you use solitary time should match your values, beliefs and temperament. Some individuals devote a regular time each day to visualize themselves attaining their goals and dreams. Others read, pray, meditate, do yoga or just contemplate a sunrise or sunset. Whatever form it takes, time spent alone can have an enormous payoff. Achievers talk about an inner strength they find and how it helps them put competing demands into perspective. They feel more confident about their choices and more self-reliant. They discover a sense of balance, a centeredness.
8.      Be a peacetime patriot. Joe Posner has achieved wealth and recognition selling life insurance. Several years ago, Posner helped form an organization in his hometown of Rochester, NY to prepare underprivileged children for school and life and, he hopes, break the poverty cycle. You may find some equally worthy way to give something back through your church, hospital, civic club, alumni association or by doing some pro bono work. Or you may help individuals privately, even anonymously. There are powerful rewards for balancing personal interests with the needs of the common good. One of the most wonderful is the sheer joy that can come from giving. Another  reward is the better world that you help create.
9.      Do what you love to do. As a boy, Aaron Copeland spent hours listening to his sister practice the piano because he loved music. By following that love, he became America’s most famous composer of classical must. When I asked him years later if he had even been disappointed by that choice Copeland replied, “My life has been enchanting.” What a word to sum up a life. By itself, loving what you do does not ensure success. You need to be good at what you love. But if you love what you do, the time you spend becoming competent is less likely to be drudgery.
10.  Focus on strategy. As important as it is, how to save time for balancing your life is not the ultimate question. That question is, “What am I saving time for?” Strategy has to do with being successful – but successful at what? If others pay your salary, being strategic generally means convincing them that you are spending your time in a way that benefits them. If there is a dispute over how you should use your time, either convince the people who can reward or punish you that your idea about using time is appropriate, or look for another job. The “what for?” question should also be asked about the life you live. It is truly a comprehensive question and gets at the question of wholeness.
So what makes for a successful balance life? I can think of no better definition than the one given by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
     To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because I have lived. This is to have succeeded.
 

Time is something that you can never take back.

What’s done is done. Nothing in history can be changed. The most we can do about anything that has already been done is to take counter measures to prevent the damage from spreading. However, there is one more effective way to stop the damage and that is to prevent it.

You must have heard it said that “Prevention is better than cure.”

This quote is most often used in terms of illness; however, this can also be done for future mistakes. Time management is a form of prevention.

Why is time management so important? Time is the most important commodity. Time never comes back. It never rewinds like videotape.

You can get more money but you cannot get more time!

Here are the most common reasons why time is so important:

1. Time cannot be stored
Everyone no matter how rich or poor spends time the same way, it doesn’t speed up for the rich and slow down for the poor. Time management is equal to wise usage of time. This may be the difference between fame and failure.

2. Time is rare
Yes, everybody has the same number of hours, but haven’t you noticed that people are complaining that they don’t have enough of it? There is just “so little time and so much to do” that people go out of focus. Time management means giving importance to priorities and nearer deadlines and these give you enough for the crucial activities in life.

3. Time is needed for everything
Everything takes time; everything needs time to materialize. With time management, each task is given enough time to be finished. By giving a sliver of time for each of your goals and accounting for it wisely, you will be able to achieve them, plus make time for rest. Truth is, even little time produces work. If distributed wisely throughout the day or week, you would be surprised to how much you can accomplish.

4. Time management helps you finish more jobs with less effort
By allotting a certain amount of time for each activity, you don’t have to worry about the next thing that you will do. With time management, you become more organized and the things you do become more habitual than panic-driven. By making it a habit, you become more productive. As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. ”

In modern times, each product, place, or gadget has minute differences that make it very hard for you to choose. There are so many opportunities to choose from as to what to do with your time. By having a plan, you will be able to make intelligent choices. By becoming more conscious of the available time and the choices you’ve made so far, you focus more on your priorities rather than useless work.

Time management is indeed a gem. Once it becomes a habit, it will be more beneficial than time-consuming.

For most people time management can be very difficult. Effective time management begins with understanding what needs to be done and then knowing how much time you have to do it. Everyone knows what needs to be done, but most of us fail to turn our thoughts into action.

Why?

Could it be procrastination or just plain laziness?

Probably not, successful time management depends on understanding what you are doing with your time each and every day. Managing your time more effectively will allow you to accomplish your tasks more quickly and bring you closer to your goals. Take the time each day to think about what needs to be done, and then do something about it!

Tips For Successful Time Management

1. Know exactly what you want in life. It is so easy for people to spend a whole day working and then accomplish nothing of any real value. Ask yourself, “What exactly am I trying to accomplish here?” If you do not define your goals and figure out your destination, then how will you know when you have arrived?

2. Complete one task at a time. Once you begin something stay with it until it is complete. A lot of time can be wasted switching tasks because you have to take time to prepare for each new task. Time can also be wasted breaking a task down into smaller tasks, just get it done! Concentrate on one thing only, get it done, and then move on. Try not to fill your mind with so many things to do that you stress yourself out and get nothing done!

3. Get busy! Most of us go through life not knowing what we want. We spend to much time in a state of “I do not know what to do”. Decide what you want and then work on getting it! Remember that most of us will lean alot more by doing than by just thinking.

4. Say No! Do not make the mistake of ignoring those who are most important, family. If you cannot say no, then you will soon find yourself pulled in to many directions. No matter how important your obligations may be, spend time with your family. Stick with your area of expertise, do what you do best, no more.

5. Set priorities. Everyone feels overwhelmed at times. Every day stop and ask yourself, what do I have to do today? Focus only on those tasks that must be completed, not on what you would like to do.

6. Learn how to delegate. If you insist on handling every task yourself, not only will you not succeed but other areas of your life, such as family and health will suffer. Turn over those routine tasks to others and concentrate on those things that require your knowledge and skills.

7. Develop the habit of making decisions as soon as possible. If you cannot make a decision right away, then set aside some time when you can gather all the facts and then make the decision. Spend most of your time on action, not decision making.

8. Organize your email. If possible, answer your email right away. Try not to read it and then leave it in your inbox. Create folders and transfer the email you want to keep. Create a folder for pending emails that will need your attention later. Delete junk email right away, do not waste your time reading it.

9. How many times have you heard, “Always finish what you start?” If you made a decision in the past that is no longer providing you with the results you expect, then forget it! Move on to something else. Re-evaluate what is happening now to decide what to do next. Do not forget that failure can be your friend.

If you remember one thing, then I suggest this, do it now! When you put things off you waste alot of time because you will constantly dwell on them. Thinking and planning are important, but results come only with action.

Time management is not about giving up what you like, it is about becoming more productive and discovering more of what you already love. Refuse to spend your time where it absolutely will not give you the very best results. Invest your time only in what will pay off big!

Copyright 2007 by Joe Rispoli