Delay does not mean procrastinate. Procrastination is about indefinite postponement; delaying is about consciously rescheduling something for a more appropriate time. Delaying in this sense is actually proactive—you are choosing the best time to do something so that it works with your schedule, work style, and priorities.        

            Perfectionism is a sticky wicket. On one hand, upholding strict standards of        excellence helps many people succeed in life and work. On the other, that same striving for perfection can spin into a paralyzing trap that halts projects, generates undue stress for yourself and others, and zaps the joy out of life. Perfectionists feel compelled to do everything at the same level of excellence, often driven by a “If I can’t do this perfectly, I’m not going to do it at all” mentality.           

         We are living in such an interesting time, where everyone is in the midst of some form of reinvention, in a world in which it seems all of the rules have changed.  In pursuit of new ways of making a living, managing our finances, running our businesses and operating in a more socially responsible way, it is easy to feel defeated. It can seem that each time you come up with a solution, there’s a new obstacle in your way. Like a fighter in the ring, how many times can a person get knocked down?  Yet, we know we have to have to get back up, so let’s take this opportunity to reflect on how to fortify our powers of determination.

Knowing how to delegate effectively is one of the most important and valuable time management skills anyone can develop. Delegating tasks is not something you do to avoid your responsibilities; it’s a technique you use to fulfill them. It can be difficult to know when to give something to someone else. You may be hesitant to delegate if you feel that everyone else is overloaded just like you. Or, you may worry that someone might not do as good a job as you would. It may not even occur to you to delegate something because it’s always been your job and you are doing it on autopilot.          

The phrase, Work-Life Balance tends put many people off.  Impossible!  A pipe dream!  A dated concept!  But I don’t think so.... the issue isn’t the term—it’s our definition of the phrase and what it implies that needs to evolve.

I’ve always been viewed as more of a Clutter Whisperer, than a Clutter Buster.  I don’t advocate the “tough love” approaches that make for entertaining TV—or that people hear from genuinely well meaning friends, family, and even from inside their own heads: “Don’t think, don’t hesitate, get rid of that junk!  Come on….it’s time to move on! What good is that stuff doing you?!  Throw it all away!”   

One of the greatest pleasures of traveling, whether for business or leisure, is the simplicity and calm of your hotel room.  With no clutter, no excess, no backlog of chores waiting for your attention, you can relax, do nothing, and breathe a sigh of relief while you escape from the confines of your busy life.

                However, you don’t have to wait for a vacation or business trip to have access to that sense of peace on a daily basis.  You can establish a simple space in your home where you can go to read, meditate, listen to music or just be alone… and very, very content.

            Lack of sleep and poor nutrition can be compensated for with caffeine, sugar, power bars, or the pure will to concentrate, but nothing substitutes for genuine physical health. Sleep, exercise, a proper diet, and regular checkups maintain your physical body. This is a basic, essential priority, which provides the well of energy from which you draw the strength to accomplish everything else you need to do. Some people neglect their own physically health for so long that they forget what it feels like to be healthy and rested. Making the commitment to your physical health will have an immediately....

            Your energy levels can have a profound impact on your effectiveness. Pay attention to your natural energy cycles when you group tasks. If you’ve been doing mentally taxing work for too long and begin to tire, try switching to a group of physical tasks to restore your energy.     

One of the most common mistakes people make when creating their to-do list is generating an endless inventory of everything in their heads—which is not particularly practical for getting things done.

The secret sauce is creating what I call an “intelligent” to do list, which goes way beyond just asking “what” we need to do,  it addresses how long each item will take, and when  we are going to do it—so that we can make realistic plans for each day.

The W.A.D.E. formula is a practical plan for sorting through your to-do’s, making wise decisions, and feeling the unbeatable sense of accomplishment that comes with checking things off your list...

            When time is limited, you need to find the quickest way to your goal. Finding      shortcuts is not about “cheating” or taking the easy way out—it’s about becoming    a more efficient person. For you perfectionists out there: Remember, it’s usually  preferable to have something completed (even if it’s imperfect) than never done at all.