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TIME MANAGEMENT
Isn??™t It Time For You?
By Jennifer Ottolino
Does it seem like there is never enough time in the day? Why is
there plenty of time for everyone and everything but ourselves? The
fact is that you only get one shot at this life so it is important
to spend it doing something you love. The good news is that you have
a choice, you can continue to go on being overwhelmed letting time
and life slip away, or you can make the time and start living the
life you really want. Yes, this is easier said than done, so here
are ten strategies, some old and some new, to help you gain control
over your time.
1. Become a problem free zone. Yes, problems happen in life,
and there are ways to proactively limit your exposure to those
problems. You can limit your exposure by creating strong boundaries,
developing reserves, and creating systems that will prevent future
problems. What are some systems that you can develop right now that
will prevent you from having problems in the future?
2. Create enriching free time. So often when we do have free
time we spend it on some mind numbing activity such as TV. Devote
some of your free time each week doing something that really
enriches your life. Do something that makes you feel fantastic and
blissed out. The rest of your week will get a big boost and you will
find that you are effortlessly getting things accomplished.
3. Be present. When you have committed to spend the time, are
you present? Or are you thinking about the other things that you
have to do? Often when we are at work we are thinking about the
things we have to do at home and when we are home we are thinking
about the things we have to do at work. As a result, we never focus
on what we are currently doing. This drains your energy because when
you are focused on feeling guilty you don't produce the results you
really want which leads to problems. Focus on what you are currently
doing and concentrate on putting in a 100% effort and you will see
strong results with fewer mistakes.
4. Set intentions for the day. Setting intentions for the day
is much different than having a to do list. Setting intentions for
the day involves clearly articulating what you want from that day.
Your intentions for the day could be anywhere from cleaning out your
desk to looking for and seeking out abundance from the day. The key
is focus, so do not set more than three intentions for the day and
center your activities around those intentions. This is much lighter
than a to-do list, which tends to drain your energy and can keep you
from feeling accomplished.
5. Develop healthy energy sources. Your body gets energy from
any source it can find regardless if it is negative or positive
energy. The difference is that negative energy sources leave you
feeling drained, discontented, and restless while positive energy
sources leave you feeling happy, peaceful, and energized. Which one
sounds better to you? Develop healthy energy sources by creating
reserves of time and money, by eating right and exercising, and
doing what makes you happy. Your day and your mood will feel much
different and you will go to bed with a feeling of peaceful
satisfaction.
6. Say ???no???. We often cause our own time problems because we
cannot say no to requests. It is understandable that you want to
help people but why are you willing to sacrifice your own well being
by being over committed? If a request is going to leave you feeling
resentful, angry, or taken advantage of, definitely say ???no???. You
will feel a huge sense of relief.
7. Get rid of commitments. We often make commitments that
don't really add value to our goals, our vision, or our lives. If
you want to create more time in your life you have to start being
very selective about the activities in which you participate. Really
look at your current commitments and ask yourself, ???Is this how I
want to spend my time? Does it make me feel good? Does it help me
move closer to my goals????
8. Slow down. Rushing has become a way of life for most of
us. Even when we don??™t have to rush we still do. Have you ever asked
yourself, why am I rushing? Only to discover that there was no
reason at all. When you rush around you are not present in your
surroundings, you are often distracted and frazzled, which will
cause you to make mistakes and take up even more of your time.
Become aware of this adrenaline rushed feeling and make a conscious
decision to slow down. Slow your walk, slow down your speech, take a
deep breath, and do what it takes to mentally and physically slow
down.
9. Under promise and over deliver. We have all heard this
phrase but do we actually do it? Part of our time pressure is caused
by over promising when we don't have to. Give yourself more time to
complete a project then you think you will need and deliver it
early. Your days will not feel as frantic, you will be getting your
energy from positive sources, you will do a better job, which helps
create your problem free zone, and you will feel good about your
accomplishments. This is a win/ win for everyone.
10. Really understand that you control your time, not the
other way around. Most of us feel like we are victims to time when
in reality you control your time and how you utilize it. Start
utilizing it to your advantage by having it work for you.
Hopefully this has provided you with some ideas on creating more
time and using time to create a more fulfilling and enriched life.
Remember that you control your time, your space, your life, and that
it is your responsibility to create it on your own terms.
About the Author:
Jen Ottolino is a Personal Coach who works with individuals to
eliminate blocks to success. She partners with people to actively
attract the life they know they deserve, but haven??™t quite managed
to achieve. You can visit her website at
http://coachjen.com and discover
articles, tips, and strategies designed to enhance your life
purpose. She also publishes the bite sized weekly newsletter Little
gems to subscribe send an email to
littlegems@coachjen.com?subject=subscribe.
DINNER RECIPES
Seven Layer Dinner
1 potato
1 onion
1 carrot
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
salt & pepper to taste
1 can of peas, with liquid
1 package pork breakfast sausages
1 can tomato soup
Slice potato, onion and carrot.
Lightly grease a covered baking dish then place all ingredients in
(in order).
Bake with lid on at 350 for one hour, then remove lid and bake for
another hour.
By J.R. Buhler
?© Dot Com Women
New Orleans Potatoes
12 small New Potatoes
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese (neufchatel works great)
1 8oz. pkg. lowfat sour cream
1 stick butter
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
4-5 chopped green onion stalks
1 pkg. bacon - cooked crispy and crumbled
white, black & cayenne pepper (to taste)
salt (to taste)
Pre-heat oven to 350.
Peel & chop potatoes, boil in salted water until fork-tender.
Drain well.
Begin mashing potatoes with electric mixer on Low, adding cream
cheese, sour cream and butter. Mix until creamy. (a few lumps are
okay)
Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon & green
onion.
Add white, black & cayenne pepper and salt to taste.
Spoon into a buttered 13 x 9 baking dish, sprinkle top with
remaining cheddar cheese and dust with cayenne pepper. Bake at
350 degrees 20 minutes or until cheese is melted & bubbling.
Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, serve and wait for the compliments!
By Caroline Brewer
?© Dot Com Women
BEAUTY & FASHION
How to Take Care of Your Sterling Silver Jewelry
The interaction of silver and sulfides in the air is what
actually tarnishes sterling silver. First the tarnish will take on
a golden hue, and eventually, it will turn the piece black which
is a natural process.
High sulfide levels are associated with humidity and air
pollution. The more humid the climate, the faster the sterling
will tarnish. So, on a humid day in Florida, it may turn black in
a day, whereas in Arizona it may need very little cleaning!
You may polish sterling silver by rubbing or buffing it with a
soft cotton cloth.
Chemically treated cloths specifically made for cleaning sterling
silver make the job a lot easier and faster.
Personally, I like to use a chemically treated cloth. For chains,
you simply surround the chain with the cloth and carefully pull it
through several times. Change the position and direction of the
chain each time you pull it through.
A Sterling silver dip is fast and easy, but you have to be careful
with jewelry that has gemstones or pearls - the dip may take the
polish or luster off.
When using a dip, if you leave the piece in too long, or don't
rinse it well enough with fresh water, white residues may be left
on the piece when it dries. This residue is difficult to rub or
pick off.
When using a silver dip, dip the piece quickly in and out of the
dip. Then immediately rinse it in clean water. When the piece
dries, buff it with a soft cotton cloth or a chemically treated
cloth. The buffing brings out more of the shine and helps take off
any residue left on the piece.
Don't soak your jewelry in dip!! It's better to dip in and out
quickly, rinse and dry, then do it again if necessary.
Dips, however should be a last resort. The piece would have to be
very difficult to buff up with a soft cloth as is the case with
some chains.
Dianne Sullivan
http://www.Silver-Bees.com
CLASSIFIEDS
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