Have you ever sat stil and just ‘people watched’?  If you have, I bet you have noticed that lat least 7 out of 10 people are frantically rushing from one place to another.   “Why is everyone in such a hurry?”  It’s all about time. She’s late for lunch; he’s going to miss the train or bus home; we’ll be late for dinner.  No one ever stops to think about the amount of time wasted worrying about it.  The realization that proper planning is the key to saving time has somehow eluded us. 

It’s important, then, to discuss time management techniques to effectively yield positive results.

Preparation - Make a daily list of things to do, appointments to keep, and so on. 

First on the List - When making a list of things to do, begin with the most important item first. Then prioritize the rest as you complete your list.

Throw Perfectionism out the Window - If you have an important engagement, wedding or other function to attend; don’t waste so much time over the minor things which will cause you to be late.  You know the old saying, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”  It happens to be true.  Conversely, if you expect company for the holidays, don’t freak out because your kitchen floor isn’t spotless.  No one cares but you. Friends are coming to your home to see you, not the floor.

Don’t Be Afraid to Say, “Sorry, I Can’t.” - Perhaps you are working on a project at work, and you must leave on time to pick up your children this particular day. Your boss asks if you can stay an extra hour.  You feel torn about saying no for fear you may upset your boss.  Stop!  You are a hard worker; you’re very efficient, and you’ve always been there when your boss needed you.  It’s time to think of you and your family.  Simply say, “Sorry, I can’t today.”

Time is important to everyone. It is a basic and important component in how we conduct our business; our lives, and even our free time.  It should not be wasted nor squandered; but used for preparing our daily routines; our work habits; and our family responsibilities.

Your Easy-to-Follow, Step-by-Step Guide Shows You:
How to Organize Your Life For More Time for Yourself & Your Family

It’s no secret that life as a mom can be one hectic roller-coaster ride. You’re the head chef, cleaner, chauffeur, planner and event organizer. When all the members of your family rely on you to keep them organized…something’s gotta give. Well, life doesn’t have to be so hectic and cluttered. Follow the simple steps in this guide and you’ll find that you’ll have even more time and way less stress than you ever had before.

Hey moms - you know how much I love cool contests so I just had to share this one with you.

Stop on by Moms Love Shopping and enter to win a “Miss Charge It” Halloween Costume!  There is more than just one way to enter and possibly win this contest and the contest runs from Friday, September 28, 2007 through Thursday, October 18, 2007 .

Hurry and get your entries in Ladies - the costume is so cool!

My friend Vera Raposo has an awesome site and podcast at Scrappers Talk Radio. The show has always been fantastic but recently she changed the entire look of her site and the show is all set to launch today!! YAY. 

Be sure to hop on over there and tune into her show. It is always packed with great information

Can you really think yourself happy?  The answer is a qualified yes. Believe it or not, it is within your power to create positive thoughts allowing you to accomplish anything you set out to do. 

Here are the ways in which positive thoughts can help you accomplish many things in life.

Positive thoughts produce positive results.  We can either bemoan our situation, or change it. We can be negative about an event or enthusiastic. If you really want to think yourself happy, then make up your mind to do so. It may be difficult to think happy in a world filled with hatred and violence.  But it’s not impossible.  One person, one idea, one positive thought can change society.  How, then, can we make ourselves happy?  By being a constant reminder to others that there is goodness in the world.

• Seek out positive people to associate with.
• Expose yourself to all the wonderful books, music and movies available. 
• Find the one important thing in your life that’s important, and pursue it.
• Show kindness and respect towards others.
• Use positive reinforcement wherever and whenever you can.
• Speak in a positive tone.
• Rid your mind of negative thinking with yoga and exercise.
• Let your expectations reflect your positive attitude.
• Allow peace of mind to envelop you.
• Become your own best friend.

P.S. For more suggestions on finding more joy in your daily life (loaded with examples and action steps) take a look at Journey to Joy: http://www.reallifecoaching.net/journeytojoy.shtml
 

{{{{  Holly Durham }}}}

Congratulations to Holly!  She is the winner of our Contest and she will receive a totally free copy of the Real Life Guidance To: Finding More Family Time report.

I want to thank all of you who participated and a special thanks to those of you who blogged about this contest and helped to spread the word.

Please do stop by to read all of the awesome entries (I tell ya’ this was a close contest).  Here is the link to the contest so that you can go back and congratulate the winner and read the entries.

Keep your eyes peeled, I am always up for fun here so keep your eyes out for other contests, freebies and prizes!

Holly - to claim your winnings please email me at info@reallifesolutions.net and I will get the free report and the bonuses to you ASAP

 Thanks and congrats!

 

Even if you only have a half a minute to spare, you can actually get some chores done! With a busy, overscheduled life we seldom have extra time to take care of anything. These quick chores will only take part of a moment of your time.

1. Empty the trash in the bathroom — Those small trash cans in our homes can sometimes be overlooked until they are overflowing. Make this chore easier and more quickly accomplished by storing extra liners in the bottom of the trash can. It will only take a moment to wrap up the used liner and open up the new one.

2. Dust the TV screen  - The television screen seems to always need a good dusting. Try a used dryer sheet to help keep dust from resettling.

3. Clean a mirror - Try using vinegar and newspaper to clean your mirror. The vinegar will help the mirror dry streak free. Newspaper will leave less fuzzy residue than paper towels.

4. Wipe down an appliance -  Take a moment and wipe down the outside of your dishwasher, refrigerator, oven, washing machine, or dryer. Don’t forget about the outward appearance of the machines you depend on. Wipe up spots and spills quickly, and your appliances will only need an occasional thorough wipe down.
 
5. Test your smoke alarm - Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and batteries should be replaced at least annually. Try testing the battery on the same day of the month to help you remember. 
 
Don’t worry about getting it ALL done in one day MOM - There are no Super Moms here - just take it one day, one task at a time

For an amazing collection of 1,300 organizing tips, ideas and  techniques check out http://www.reallifesolutions.net/getorganized.HTML

As a Mother of 2 teen daughters (ages 16 & 19 - I found this hilarious)

 10 Simple Rules for Dating my Daughter
 

Rule One:
If you pull into my driveway and honk you’d better be delivering a  package, because you’re sure not picking anything up.
 
 Rule Two:
You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her,  so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter’s body, I will remove them.
 
Rule Three:

I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don’t take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, in order to ensure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with  my daughter, I will take my electric nail gun and fasten your trousers securely in place to your waist.
  

Rule Four:
 I’m sure you’ve been told that in today’s world, sex without utilizing a “barrier method” of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate, when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you.
 
Rule Five:
It is usually understood that in order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is “early.”
 
Rule Six:
I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry.
 
Rule Seven:
As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process that can take longer than painting the Golden Gate

Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don’t you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?
 
 Rule Eight:
The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka - zipped up to her throat. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which features chain saws are okay. Hockey games are okay. Old folks homes are better.
 
Rule Nine: 

 Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a potbellied, balding, middle-aged, dimwitted has-been. But on issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a shotgun, a shovel, and five acres behind the house. Do not trifle with me.
 
 Rule Ten:
Be afraid. Be very afraid. It takes very little for me to mistake the sound of your car in the driveway for a chopper coming in over a rice paddy near Hanoi. When my Agent Orange starts acting up, the voices in my head frequently tell me to clean the guns as I wait for you to bring my daughter home. As soon as you pull into the driveway you should exit your car with both hands in plain sight. Speak the perimeter password, announce in a clear voice that you have brought my daughter home safely and early, then return to your car - there is no need for you to come inside. The camouflaged face at the window is mine.

If your child in an animal lover then why not turn that love of animals into a love of reading!

My 7 year old Isaac is a animal lover. From snakes to bears he just cant seem to get enough. I subscribed him to Zoobooks about a year ago and he loves it.

When it arrives in the mailbox he gets so excited and immediately flips it open. The great thing about this is that he is expanding his reading and learning about animals.

If you have an animal lover in your home, I am sure Zoobooks will be a hit. For all of you out there that are already subscribers, I’d love to hear your input.

Happy Reading