Personal Growth Cafe – Page 195 – Empowering You to Live Your Inspired Vision!

July 19, 2012

5 Reasons to Live in the Now and Take Each Day as it Comes

It’s easy to get caught up in planning your future. Planning for a secure and happy future is an important undertaking, but too much attention to a time that is yet to come can greatly inhibit your ability to focus on the here and now.

Right now, at this very moment, you can begin to enjoy your everyday life that is currently flashing unnoticed right before your eyes. Let the future come naturally and live joyfully and willingly in the present moment!

Consider these five reasons that you should start living in the here and now:

1. Each day, you grow older. Each day of your life has the ability to be monumental, but each day only happens once. Every moment of every day, you’re given a chance to make a lasting memory. Create a memory that you’ll be proud to share.

* Your fate is up to you. If you’re concerned about the future, you can start paving the road for it today. That road starts by living your life to the fullest degree at this very moment so you feel fulfilled in the years to come.

2. You replace worry with contentment. With the future comes uncertainty. However, by focusing on today rather than your tomorrow, you’ll inherently stop worrying about what’s to come and focus on enjoying your reality.

3. You get to know yourself. Your wants, needs, and interests are constantly evolving. If you’re wrapped up in planning for tomorrow, you may never truly get to know the person you are today.

* By defining yourself in the here and now, you’re able to truly figure out what you want. It’s common to be so deep into nurturing a plan for the future that you’ve created years ago without realizing that it’s far different than your ideal life.

4. You spend more time with your loved ones. If you’re a parent, you know better than anyone that those precious moments disappear in a blink of an eye. One moment, you’re changing your first diaper. The next, you’re watching your children forge ahead on their own.

* Spending time with your children is obviously important, but devoting time to your spouse is even more so. When you do, you nurture your marital relationship to ensure that your significant other is feeling loved and cared for, which in turn, helps your children to feel that love as well.

5. You experience all life has to offer. You only have one life to live. It’s important to maximize every moment by experiencing each moment to its fullest. Take advantage of the youth you have on your side now, before it’s too late to do it later.

* This is the time to be spontaneous. Take your family to a random, weekend vacation. Surprise your spouse with an adventurous trip on a hot air balloon or go kayaking with your friends. These are memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime!

Life is beautiful! It’s joyous and full of abundance. So many meaningful things happen in your everyday existence. However, if your mind is trapped in the future, all of these events will slip by before you’re even able to notice that they’re gone. Live in the now!

July 19, 2012

5 Proven Tips to Turn Your Plans Into Reality

Surely, you have big plans for your future. However, a plan is just a dream without action to get the ball rolling towards your desired result. It’s time to put your fears and indecisiveness aside and pursue the reality that you know you deserve!

Try these proven tips to help you achieve your dreams:

1. Know what you want. Decisiveness leads to success. If you’re fickle about how you see your life in 5 years, or even just 6 months from now, you’ll keep spinning your wheels. Pick the road that is best for you and stick to it!

* Ensure that your goal directly affects and benefits you. Let others worry about what’s best for them. For example, if you want your son to get into Penn State because that’s your alma mater, he’s the one that has to make that call. You’re in charge of your own life, and only the decisions that affect you.

2. Be practical. You’re unlikely to lose 10 pounds in five days, and it’s silly to want to teach yoga before you’ve never even taken a class yourself. Ensure that your plans are practical as a whole and that you allot a reasonable timeframe to their attainment.

3. Get started. The first step is by far the most important step in order to enact your plans. Making the initial move will inspire you to follow through with the necessary steps thereafter.

* Often, the first step is the simplest step. For example, if you’re determined to impress your mother-in-law with a juicy turkey this thanksgiving, research turkey-cooking techniques online. If you want to tone up your abdomen, enroll in a belly dancing class.

4. Take it step-by-step. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. If you want quality, lasting results, break your process down into small, measurable results that you can surely attain.

* It’s easier to cut fast food out of your diet than it is to cut every bad food from your life altogether. It’s also easier to jump into the pool before you try to swim a race. Baby steps are vital to your success and self esteem.

5. Acquire some training. If you’re attempting to carry out a complicated plan that you lack experience in doing, it’s a smart idea to get training in the field.

* You’ll greatly benefit from downloading an eBook or attending a local class that teaches you how to properly execute your plan. The investment is often free or inexpensive, but the additional information could make the difference between failure and joyous success.

Many plans that we create in our minds remain only a dream. The culprit of this dooming behavior is often complacency, fear of failure, or sheer laziness. But know this: if you truly want something, you stand to gain a lifetime of happiness by chasing it.

If you fail, you can always try again. Being able to say that you’ve given an honest attempt is an honor in itself. You only have one life to live; with decisive action and persistence, you can overcome every obstacle in your way to achieve the reality you desire!

July 19, 2012

Free Yourself From Fears With Healthy Alternatives

Having fears is a natural part of life. However, when you allow a fear to alter the way that you live your life or the relationships you have with others, the fear becomes an unhealthy burden.

Below are two examples of common fears and scenarios of healthy and unhealthy reactions.

Fear #1: The Straying Partner

You fear that your partner is cheating on you. Even though you have no proof, you’re convinced because you’ve gained a considerable amount of weight.

Facing your fear:

In this example, you can overcome your fear by understanding that the fear is really a byproduct of your personal insecurities, rather than your partner’s disloyalty.

1. Healthy reaction: Rather than accusing your partner of straying, ask them whether they’re unhappy with your weight gain. Communicate that you’re feeling self-conscious about your looks. Enroll in a weight loss program to boost your self-esteem.

* This is a healthy reaction because you’re addressing the true issue, which is your newfound insecurity. Nothing in your partner’s behavior has changed; the only change in your relationship might be your self-esteem.

2. Unhealthy reaction: You start riffling through your partner’s belongings and spying on their cell phone call logs, emails, and Facebook interactions. You discreetly drive by their workplace at lunchtime. Even after finding nothing, you continue to invade their space because you’re sure they’ll eventually slip up.

* Clearly, this reaction is unhealthy because you’re allowing your insecurities to take over your life. You feel badly about your body image, and you’re subconsciously sabotaging your relationship by wrongfully accusing your partner.

* If you wrongfully accuse your partner of straying, they’ll likely become upset that you’re giving your insecurities the power to tarnish their character. This wrongful accusation may lead to distance in your relationship and potentially irreparable damage.

Fear #2: The Concerned Parent

You fear losing your children. You love your children so much and shudder at the thought of your life without them. Thoughts of tragedy cross your mind from time to time.

Facing your fear:

In this example, you can face your fears head on by realizing that it’s impossible to shield your children from the world. Rather than stopping them from enjoying life, you can do everything within your power to ensure safe enjoyment.

1. Healthy reaction. Ensure that your children know standard safety precautions, such as crossing the street with an adult and never talking to strangers. Have an extensive chat with other parents before allowing your children to spend the night at a friend’s home.

* Every parent is concerned with his or her children’s safety. However, it’s important to understand that you can’t shield your children from the world. So, rather than tucking them away for yourself, allow them to experience life and do your best to ensure their safety.

2. Unhealthy reaction: You choose to protect your children by refusing to trust anyone with their safety. You ensure that the only friends your children keep are cousins, family friends, and neighbors that you know closely. You limit your children’s experiences of the outside world because you fear that something bad will happen to them.

* Keeping your children from making friends can cause social and emotional damage. Limiting their experiences also limits their ability to experience the successes that can grow their self-esteem.

Everyday fears have the ability to affect how you live your life. By conquering your fears rationally and maturely, you increase your quality of life. Face your fears in productive ways that move you closer to the happiness you deserve.

July 19, 2012

How to Find the Road to Forgiving and Forgetting

Experts say the path to wellness begins with forgiving and forgetting. However, you may very well wonder, “How do you go about truly forgiving someone when they’ve grievously hurt you?”

If you’re willing and able to work on your emotional focus and release any desire for revenge, you have an honest chance of attaining your objective. While the memory of what was done will remain with you, you can still “forget” by putting the past behind you and moving forward.

Follow these four vital steps to be able forgive and forget:

1. Acceptance. The first step to forgiving and forgetting is accepting that you’ve been wronged. You must accept what has happened and find a way to live with it. Acceptance is the starting point for moving your life forward in a positive direction.

2. Healing. It’s important to give yourself adequate time to heal. The amount of time you need to experience relief from your pain varies; each person heals differently.

* If possible, you may want to try to limit your time with the person that hurt you while you reflect and heal.

3. Revitalize your relationship. All relationships, whether romantic or completely platonic, need nurturing in order to thrive. If you ignore nurturing your relationship for too long because you’re upset, it’s likely to wither away.

* Once you’ve begun to experience the fruits of your healing process, begin spending time together. Go out for dinner, hang around your house or just spend a day together at the park. The location is of little importance, but the company is essential to revitalizing your relationship.

4. Rebuilding trust. This should be done simultaneously while revitalizing your relationship. The person that hurt you should be working diligently towards making you feel secure in trusting them once again. Be open to their love, affection, and attempts to rectify their wrongs. If you hold a grudge, you may be stuck in this rut for a lifetime.

* It’s also important to let the other party involved, especially if it’s your spouse, know that it’s okay to trust you. If their mistake was brutal enough, they’re likely expecting you to reciprocate and get revenge. Make an honest effort to reassure them that you wish to reconcile and start anew.

To move forward, you must be willing to let go of everything you once thought was true and form a new reality together. This is the foundation for truly forgiving and forgetting.

But in this case, it takes two to tango. Both you and the other party involved must be willing to make an honest effort. Though it may seem unfair to ask you to make an effort when you’re the one that’s been wronged, this is the price you pay for freeing yourself from those toxic shackles.

People do change. Trust can be restored if both parties in the relationship are willing to work at it. While the healing process may take time, two people who are willing to reconcile and consistently seek each other’s happiness will experience that happiness for themselves and an intimate relationship that will withstand the test of time.

July 19, 2012

4 New Year’s Resolution Goals Worth Setting

New Year’s Day is a great time to implement change and personal growth by setting goals that you want to achieve throughout the upcoming year. Some resolutions are well worth setting, because they can contribute greatly toward helping you live the life you desire and they’re attainable without any unrealistic expectations.

Try these types of New Year’s resolutions to ring in a happy new year:

1. Health improvements. When your body thrives, you have more energy, enthusiasm, and vitality to do everything you want to do. Focus on setting goals for the specific actions that will provide the results you’d like to see.

* For example, rather than stating that you want to lose 25 pounds next year, try to find achievable goals that will help you lose weight. Set resolutions such as enrolling in a yoga class, trying three new types of aerobics, or going for a walk each day after dinner.

* Resolve to bring new experiences into your life. Set goals about new foods that you want to try, eating 3 more vegetable servings each day, or growing your own organic vegetables.

* These goals are more fun to reach, but they’ll contribute to the same end result.

2. Financial improvements. Following the same advice as above, try to avoid setting unrealistic resolutions like “pay off all my debt next year” or “Put $10,000 away in savings.” Instead, choose goals for specific actions that will get you where you want to be financially.

* For example, you may resolve to save all of your spare change and deposit it into your savings account every month.

* Maybe you’d like to pick up 3 extra hours at work each week and dedicate those earned funds to your savings account or debt repayment.

* Or make a list of specific money-saving actions like the above that you’d like to incorporate into your daily life and add a new action to your routine each week. By the end of the year, you’ll be an automatic money-saving machine!

3. Creative endeavors. Creative goals can absolutely lead to personal enrichment and development. What interests you? Set resolutions to try new things, experience new places, challenge your comfort zone, and learn about yourself all at the same time.

* To get you started, consider resolutions to try new crafts or creative projects, start writing in a journal, take up pottery, or a variety of other creative endeavors. Create a resolution to try a new recipe at least once a month. Or fashion a resolution to hand-make every Christmas gift you give, starting at the beginning of the year!

4. Intellectual endeavors. Intellectual New Year’s resolutions can also benefit you in many different ways. Elect to take a course or seminar on a topic interests you, such as photography, scrapbooking, auto repair, or entrepreneurship.

* Challenge yourself to read ten non-fiction books about subjects that interest you, or resolve to participate in an intellectual challenge like NaNoWriMo, November’s “National Novel Writing Month.”

* New Year’s resolutions are a great way to find new ways to challenge yourself.

Above all else, choose New Year’s resolution goals that actually interest you and that are achievable for you. Resolve to do things that will be enjoyable, while also improving your life as a whole.

July 19, 2012

Getting Past Any Obstacles in Life

Some of life’s obstacles are much bigger than others. Regardless of the size of the one you might be facing today, though, you can get past it. It may appear to loom, covering most of the future, but it’s only the angle from which you’re looking that makes it seem so big.

You can overcome challenges when you learn to see them differently!

Do you tend to talk about how big your hindrances are, rather than discussing how big your abilities are, or how big your Higher Power is? No matter what your beliefs, there’s something out there, something valuable, that’s bigger than the obstacles you’re facing today.

Focus on what you’re capable of, not on what’s trying to hold you back.

Seeking Solutions Effectively

First of all, ensure that you take time each day to remind yourself of your value. Even if you feel silly at first, reminding yourself what you can do and how important you are will start to resonate with your spirit.

This process will enable you to begin to truly believe in yourself. At some point during the resulting rise of your self-confidence, you’ll also realize that there are ways to get around life’s challenges, no matter how difficult they are.

You’ll know that you have the power to make a difference in your future!

How you look at your obstacles makes a big difference in how large they seem and how difficult it will be to work through them. Sometimes, what appears to be an obstacle is really an opportunity to move to a higher level in your personal or professional life. It’s important to keep your eyes, mind, and heart open to that possibility.

Focus your thoughts on:

* What you can do instead of what you can’t
* Who can help you get through the obstacle you’re facing
* What rewards lie on the other side of the obstacle
* What the obstacle can teach you for the future
* How to form a plan to get around or through the obstacle

When you focus on what you can do, what comes next, and what rewards you’ll see in the future, it’ll be difficult to stay upset about the setback.

Consider this: Were it not for that challenge you’re facing now, you might not work to strengthen your talents and become more than you are today. You’re wonderful the way you are, but there’s always room to improve and feel even better about yourself.

Moving Forward

No matter how much you think about an obstacle, you also have to do something about it. It’s not leaving on its own, so planning to move past it is important. Avoid turning and running from it. Challenges are there for a reason: to separate those who are committed to moving forward from those who are not.

Show your commitment today by laying out a plan to handle your obstacle. Even if you aren’t sure just what to do, you can start by envisioning what you want to accomplish, that is, your big goal. Next, break that big goal down into sections. Then, break those sections down to small, manageable steps.

When you follow this strategy, you’ll be able to identify steps you can accomplish in a day, week, or month. Those are the kinds of goals you want to focus on when you have a big obstacle in your way.

Not only will smaller, more manageable goals show you what needs to be done, but you’ll also avoid overwhelming yourself with everything on your plate.

Some challenges can be overcome in a short period of time, and others take longer. There may be setbacks, and you’ll have some trial and error. However, staying committed to moving forward will allow you to conquer any obstacle you have in your path, no matter what it is.

July 19, 2012

Coping with Change – 6 Simple Tips to Help You Become More Adaptable

Change is inevitable. In fact, one of the few constants in life is that things will always change. Why then, do we often have such a challenge in coping with change?

You may have an easier time dealing with change than others. On the other hand, you may tend to have trouble handling change because you become almost addicted to holding onto things as they are. Either way, the effects of change in your life come down to healthy and positive attitude.

When things are bad, it’s nice to know that they’ll eventually change for the better. However, when things are good, you need to have the wisdom to know that things won’t last forever. You can take heart, though, in the fact that everything will come around full circle back to good again.

How you cope with change can make a big difference in your life. You can take change by the horns and wring every last benefit out of it, or you can moan and groan and have a hard time going nowhere. The choice is up to you.

Here are some simple tips to help you handle change in a positive manner:

1. Focus on flexibility. Instead of focusing on change as a whole, it might help to focus on smaller things. One thing you can do is work on being more flexible. If you find that you expect everything to go a certain way, you’re likely crushed when things don’t go according to plan.

* Focus on dealing with several possible outcomes, even if they’re not your preferred results. Leave yourself time to come up with alternatives when things change.

2. Have a positive attitude. When you have a positive attitude, you’ll see change as necessary and good. Things need to change in order for you to evolve as a person. Focus on the things that are going well and remain optimistic that the change will bring even greater opportunities into your life!

3. Be forward thinking. Live in the present moment, but plan for the future. You’ll most often run into trouble with change when you spend much of your time worrying about the past.

* Things may never be like they were; they’re only like they are right now. You can do something positive in this moment by forgetting about the past and focusing on doing something spectacular for your present.

4. Ask for help. Remember that you’re not alone in life. It might feel like that sometimes, but it’s not true. If you’re having an especially hard time dealing with a certain change, it’s completely understandable, and you should feel no shame in asking for help. Sometimes you’ll feel better if you can just lean on a friend or family member for some support.

5. Look at the big picture. Sometimes, in order to find a positive mindset about change, it helps to step back and look at the bigger picture. You might be caught up in dealing with one aspect and it might be consuming all of your life in that moment.

* Take a breath and realize that there’s much more to life. Think about what your ultimate goals are and remember how you’ve dealt with changes in the past. Maybe there’s a life lesson that you learned that’ll make you better able to cope now.

6. Focus on things that stay the same. While nothing in life is permanent, there are certain things you can count on. If you think of these things when you’re in need, it just may provide you with comfort.

* For instance, maybe you’re upset that you have to move away, but you can take comfort in the fact that you’re moving with your family or that you’ll meet some wonderful new people along the way!

Remember that everyone is different; you might find a certain strategy for coping with change better suited for yourself than someone else. Your goal is to find something that works for you!

July 19, 2012

Thinking Positive to Create Financial Gain

Just about everyone has heard that the Law of Attraction can be used to bring you what you want. If you think about being rich, you will be. Is it true? That depends on how you look at the actual statement. What is true, though, is that a more positive attitude about life in general really can help you create financial gain.

No one likes a Gloomy Gus. People who drag around all the time, feeling down about themselves and their circumstances, saying that nothing good ever happens to them, really aren’t going to see the big breaks that they once hoped for. Why? It’s because they’re projecting an air of defeat onto everyone and everything around them.

Stay positive, no matter what your current circumstances are, for your own benefit.

Sure, you might not be rich right now. You might even have trouble paying your bills, but better days will come to you. You can get that better job, receive that raise, and see that debt paid off, but complaining or giving up won’t get you to those goals.

Avoid Giving Up Too Soon

Avoid stopping before the task is complete, just because it seems to be taking a long time. Instead, stay positive! Avoid the very idea of giving up. The greatest people are where they are today because they never quit believing in their ability to be something more, and you shouldn’t, either.

Believe in yourself. When you do that, it shows. Others see it, and you become the kind of person they want to be around. You’ll naturally attract good things, because you’re giving out good things – smiles, handshakes, hugs, joy, and positive energy – to the people you meet. That’s the kind of person others want to spend their time with – and the kind of person that companies want to hire and promote!

Practice Thinking Positive Each Day

There are many ways to turn negative thinking into positive thoughts, instead. Like anything else, it requires some work. However, the time you spend on it is well worth the effort.

Here are some simple things you can do to get started on a more positive life and move yourself toward financial gain:

* Say at least one positive thing to yourself, and about yourself, each day.
* Cut out a costly habit, like smoking or excessive drinking, and you’ve already gained financially.
* Spend time with positive people so you aren’t tempted to dwell on the negative.
* Smile. Yes, it really does help your mood!
* Get moving; exercise is one of the best positive mood-boosters around.
* Take a risk on something you’ve always wanted to do.

Depending on your preferences, goals, and circumstances, different techniques might work better for you than others. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to thinking in a more positive way, but there are a lot of different options you can try. Avoid giving up, and you’ll find what works best for you. It’s well worth your time, especially when you start to see more joy in your life.

When you have a more positive attitude and mindset, and you project them out to the world, people want to be around you. Take that great attitude and those positive thoughts to your boss when you want a promotion or a raise. Take them to the job interview. Even take them to the unemployment line. You never know who you might meet there.

People miss many opportunities for financial gain because they aren’t thinking optimistically. Look at everything that happens to you and everyone you meet as valuable in some way. By staying positive and cultivating good relationships, you’ll be in place to accept the financial gain and positive energy that will naturally flow to you. Be ready to let it in!

July 19, 2012

Job Stress? You Can Deal With It

Unless you’re independently wealthy, you probably have a job. It’s a safe bet that you probably like that job most of the time, but it can also be stressful and uncomfortable on occasion.

Stress is a natural part of anyone’s work environment, but if you learn to handle it in positive ways, you’ll enjoy greater job satisfaction.
Learning to deal with job stress can take time and effort, but there’s no better time than the present to get started on your journey to successfully handling stress and enjoying your job, day after day. It makes a better work environment for you and everyone you work with.

What Causes Your Stress?

There are mental and emotional manifestations of stress, but there are physical ones as well, and recognizing them can help make it easier to understand where most of your stress is coming from.

Knowing where you experience most of your stress won’t remove it, but gaining an understanding is the start of finding ways to lower your stress levels.

Some things that make you stressed on the job can include:

* Performance evaluations
* Deadline
* Making mistakes
* Work overload
* Training
* Office conflict

Even if there are a lot of things going on with your job that cause you stress, you can let that stress go and feel good again.

Letting Go of Job Stress at Work

Some people unleash their stress by yelling, acting out, and verbally attacking others around them. This can happen all too easily in an office environment where people are packed close together, but you can avoid these kinds of things and release your stress properly and gently.

Try these strategies to release your stress at work:

1. Remember to breathe. Breathing is vital for survival, but it’s also great for calming you down when you breathe effectively. Inhale slowly through your nose, and feel the air fill up your abdomen, not your lungs. Then exhale slowly through your mouth. If you do that a few times, you’ll feel calmer and less stressed. It’s great for anxiety, too.

2. Squeeze a stress ball. They’re small, lightweight, and designed to be squeezed when you feel stressed out. Even if you feel a little silly at first, they can be very beneficial.

Letting Go of Job Stress Away From the Job

When you get home from a challenging job, leave your stress behind. Avoid carrying it around with you as you go about the rest of your day. What happens at the office should really stay there, but that may be easier said than done.

Some things to consider when you let go of stress at home include prayer, meditation, yoga, exercises, talking things over with friends or family, playing with a pet, or anything else that makes you feel joyful and peaceful. You can create the kind of atmosphere you want in your own home, even if it’s not possible to do that at your job.

When you let go of job stress on a daily basis as it happens, you avoid going around frustrated and angry. It helps your relationships with other people, your own health, and the way you feel about yourself.

Some people turn to medications to deal with stress, but you have the ability to handle your job stress effectively on your own. Practice breathing, practice any activity that makes you happy, and practice appreciating what you have!

July 19, 2012July 19, 2012

Improving Your Time Management Skills

Strengthening your time management skills is always a good idea no matter what your current skill level is. Life is always moving and changing, and you’ll want to keep up with the latest time management techniques.

Evaluate Your Current Skills

A good place to start is by identifying your current time management effectiveness. When you struggle to get things done, what do you think the cause is? When you successfully manage your time, what do you do differently? If you know what to work on, that’s half the battle right there.

For instance, you might have good time management in your home life, but lack the ability to get your tasks done at work. Since you’d like to improve your skills at work, you can go further by figuring out the reasons why your work projects don’t go as quickly as planned.

Is it because other people are getting in the way of your completing your work? If so, you can strengthen your communication skills too, so everyone works together more effectively. Maybe you’re just bored with your job. If that’s the case, you’ll want to find ways to fight the boredom and motivate yourself.

Better Time Management

Try these techniques to strengthen your time management skills:

1. Avoid procrastination. If you make a habit of procrastinating, you’re just wasting precious time. Ask yourself why you’re putting things off, and try to tackle the root problem. When you do, you’ll get back on track in no time.

* It’s possible that you’re expecting too much out of yourself and feel overwhelmed. It’s okay, and even more productive, to take breaks and make time to relax. Then, when it’s time to work, you’ll feel refreshed and motivated to get the job done.

2. Get organized. It’s easy to waste time if you can’t find things, or if you aren’t sure what task you’re supposed to be working on at the time. Organize your workspace and eliminate clutter. Then move on to keeping checklists and goal sheets, enabling you to use your time more effectively.

3. Set deadlines. It’s always a good idea to start your projects with a time goal in mind. Without a clear goal, you might give yourself a week to complete a task that should’ve only taken a day. Set attainable deadlines and then stick to them.

* Schedule your time to maximize your productivity while still remaining relaxed and happy. Avoid stressing yourself out with unattainable deadlines, or you’ll run the risk of burnout.

4. Learn to delegate. When it’s appropriate, delegate certain tasks in order to save yourself time for things that you must do on your own. At work, this might mean passing out jobs to your employees or colleagues. At home, this may mean sharing tasks with your spouse or assigning chores to your children.

5. Have a daily to-do list. At the beginning of each day, make a to-do list and plan the tasks that you hope to accomplish. Keep flexibility in mind, because plans might change.

* Cross off the items as you complete them. In doing so, you’ll be motivated to finish the rest.

* Choose a ranking system where you prioritize which items on the list should be completed first. You might want to start off your day with the most important ones, or establish momentum with some quick, easy tasks. Find something that fits your personal style.

If you have the will to change, you’ll be able to strengthen your time management skills. Practice these strategies each day and soon you’ll be a master at time management.