Human nature being what it is, it’s common to start with the easy stuff and avoid what we don’t really want to do. This tendency can be especially true if you’re self-employed and setting your own goals and job responsibilities (funny how that works!).

The way to combat this bad habit is to prioritize your list. Not all items on your list are going to be created equal, and one critical step to getting the most out of your list is to rank the items you’re aiming to complete. You can rank in a couple of ways:

• Time urgency – external. These are tasks that have to get done NOW because of an external deadline – filing applications for permits, submitting taxes, applying for grants, etc.

• Time urgency – serial. These are things that have to get done before you can do something else. They have dependencies. There may not be a firm external deadline, but there’s still time urgency. For instance, you have to make the appointment with your bookkeeper before you can file your taxes; you have to meet with the graphic designer before you can update your website; you need to create your marketing plan before rolling out a new product or service.

• Importance – external. These tasks are ones that someone else has determined is of high priority – your boss, a client, the government, etc. Examples includes filing a call report for a recent prospect, creating a marketing plan for a new client, or filing compliance reports.

• Importance – internal. Some productivity programs call these items “important but not urgent,” but the result is the same; they’re things you want to accomplish because YOU have decided they’re important. They could include writing a press release to promote a new product you’ve released, writing a blog post, or even exercising.

As you might guess, the items with external pressures tend to get completed sooner than the ones where no one is breathing down your neck, asking when it will be finished. BUT it’s often the internally important items that will have the largest impact on your life, business, and income. Your job is to objectively rank your daily to-dos each morning (or the night before, if you prefer) and then tackle them in order, moving on to the next only when you have hit a wall (waiting for a return phone call, for instance) or when the item is complete. Remember that your goals and ambitions are equally important to those others set for you, and in many cases, even more important to your overall health and well-being.

{ Your Guilt-Free Assignment }

1. Make a realistic to-do list with no more than 10 items. Creating a smaller list creates a vivid plan and makes the tasks more manageable.

2. Prioritize your list by rankings of time urgency, and importance (as shown above). This will give you an extra push to accomplish your goals!

Having trouble completing your important business goals? Never seem to complete your WHOLE to-do list? Get my free audio 5 Tips for Taming Time as my gift to you!

When it comes to lists, you may think that the more, the merrier. Not so! In fact, after about 10 items, your list starts to decrease in productivity. The vast number of to-dos actually discourages you, and you fall into the old, “I’m never going to get it all done, so why bother?” mindset.

Then you end up not following your list at all, tackling the small, easy tasks (instead of the important things), or just giving up on it altogether. Instead of cranking away, working towards your goals, instead you’re flying by the seat of your pants and handling whatever catches your attention. Not the way to make progress!

The solution: Limit the number of items on your list. Powerhouse productivity experts and get-it-done folks like the late cosmetics queen Mary Kay Ash and Leo Babauta (author of popular blog Zen Habits) recommend keeping the number of items on your list to about six. In speeches and her writings, Mary Kay credits much of her success to the “six most important things” list she would create each night before bead. And blogger and author Babauta urges his readers to limit themselves to a half-dozen major to-dos for each day.

You may be saying, “How in the heck will I ever cut my list of items to only six? I can fill up three pages with things to do!” The key is to filter it down to the most important items to be accomplished in the next 24 hours. Remember, if you get it all done, you can always add more items!

If you’re afraid you’ll forget the other, less important items, create a separate project list that is kept in a different location, in a different notebook or in a computer file (I personally like Evernote.com), or even on the whiteboard in your office. Here you can “park” all those other ideas, projects, and tasks until it’s time to tackle them. By moving them off your main list, you’ll limit your scope to the critical actions and keep your focus where it matters: On your biggest goals.

It can also be useful to create a running list of “Five-Minute Tasks” that you can turn to when you have downtime between the larger items. Need a breather after you finish writing a 10-page report? Pull out your Five-Minute Task list and make a phone call or two, or order your son’s birthday present from Amazon. Then go right back to your big list and start chipping away at your next major goal.

{ Your Guilt-Free RESULTS Homework }

1.  Try out limiting your list and breaking your huge task list into some smaller more manageable lists as outlined above. Just a week or two of using this method will show you how you actually can accomplish MORE by focusing on LESS. Give it a try; if it doesn’t make you more productive, you can always go back to your catch-all list. I think you’ll find it was worth the experimentation.

2.  Once you’ve done this for a couple week’s review your lists to see which items on your to-do list ALWAYS get done first? Which ones get done last or NEVER get done? Do your personal to-do list items seem to never get completed?

{ Need a To-Do List Assist? }

Not sure how to break down your goals into productive to-do lists that will help you get the job done? I invite you to join my free 30 Day Business Challenge for more step-by-step information to help you achieve one goal in the next 30 days. Visit:www.30DayBusinessChallenge.com for details and registration.

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The good news is that we can use this human quirk to our advantage. If the good parts of achieving our goals aren’t enough to get us motivated, maybe the bad things that will come from NOT achieving our goal will get us moving. It’s the carrot-versus-the-stick debate, and let’s face it: While we may prefer the carrot, sometimes we need the stick.

Put bluntly, if you increase the pain associated with the status quo to a high enough level, you’ll be motivated to change. In fact, the higher the pain, the greater the motivation. For instance, think of:

• The businessman who won’t quit working on the weekends until his wife threatens to divorce him.

• The overweight mom who won’t lose weight until she’s diagnosed with diabetes and told that she may die and leave her small children motherless if she doesn’t lose 100 lbs.

• The employee who can’t seem to arrive at work before 9:30 until he’s threatened with being fired.

Pain can be the ultimate motivator. But there are ways to kick it into high gear before you’re being threatened with termination or death. Here’s how to ramp up the pain quotient:

* Focus on the negative. We’re all told to focus on the positive, but sometimes it’s the focus on the bad that will get us going. Dave Ramsey, the personal finance guru, suggests that people post a list of their debts on their refrigerator. The constant in-your-face nature keeps you motivated and moving forward.

* Extrapolate. Again, psychologists and counselors will recommend that you don’t extrapolate your worries. Well, if you’re trying to motivate yourself, worry away! Think about yourself living as a bag lady if you don’t bring in four new clients this week. Picture your kids growing up in day care if you don’t find a new job. Paint a vivid picture of what you’re trying to avoid and remind yourself of the horrible alternative.

* Find a negative role model. Just as you can find role models to inspire you to great things, you can find negative role models who have dropped to the depths of despair (VH1’s “Behind the Music” is especially helpful for this!). People DO die of diabetes. People DO get fired. Find a few folks who have experienced your greatest fear and remind yourself that it can happen.

Of course, it’s a lot more fun to imagine yourself in a string bikini and paste a picture of Cindy Crawford on your fridge. But if that’s not working, you might have to go to the other extreme and post your bikini “before” shot in a public spot. Do what you have to in order to reach your goal.

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

To-do lists are magic. According to experts, the second you write something down, you’re infinitely more likely to actually make it happen than if you rely on your (sometimes faulty) memory. Some of the greatest thinkers – and achievers! – of our time have been habitual list-makers, including:

* Benjamin Franklin
* Leonardo Davinci
* Thomas Jefferson
* Martha Stewart
* David Letterman

Okay, that last one was a little bit of a joke, but the point is clear: Lists work. Books have been written about the power of lists… but not all lists are created equal!

The number one mistake most people make is thinking there’s one “Right” system.

Every time another productivity book hits the best-seller list, thousands of people jettison their planners, calendars, software programs, and iPad/iPhone/Android apps, thinking that if they just buy the latest and greatest system, they’ll be able to get a handle on their ever-expanding to-do list.

The problem with this approach is that while it can be really fun to color-code your tasks, set up e-mail reminders for the next sixteen years, or invest a month’s worth of groceries in a new planner, there’s no guarantee that what works for the author, a blogger, or your best friend is going to work for you.

To-do list or task-management systems come in all shapes and sizes. There are:

• electronic versions that are slick enough to send your mom an e-mailed Mother’s Day card for you
• old-school pen-and-paper lists
• all sorts of hybrids in between. You can “Get It Done” with David Allen, let Franklin-Covey plan your life, or try to remember the milk with the Remember the Milk app on your SmartPhone.

But if you don’t pick a system that’s in line with your personality and your life, you’re just setting yourself up for failure.

Here are a few things to ask yourself before you invest in a new to-do or task management system:

* How much time do I want to invest setting up the system and maintaining it? Some systems require you to input all your tasks and appointments into a database, while others rely on a five-minute update at the end of each day. Figure out how much time you have available to allocate to this task.

* Am I a digi-type or a paper-type? Even though it may seem like “everybody” is relying on their iPad/Tablet or SmartPhone to track their to-do lists, you’re not like “everybody.” You may find it downright uncomfortable to have everything kept digitally – and that’s okay.

* Do I like to carry things? Strange question, but an important one. If you like to travel light, you may find digi the way to go – or you may want to use a single 3×5 note card to track your list. Alterantely, if you carry a backpack, messenger bag or purse, a larger notebook or device won’t be awkward.

* How complicated am I? Do you want a simple overview of your tasks, or a color-coded, ranked list backed up by project sections in a notebook or computer file? Don’t go for the gold standard when aluminum will do!

Your Guilt-Free Challenge:

Match your system to your preferences and personality. Not everyone needs a computerized system capable of launching the next space shuttle, and not everyone is comfortable with a pen-and-paper format.

Find something that works for you and stick with it – even if “everyone else” is moving on to something shiny and new.

Struggling with your to-do’s or need to gain some focus and prioritize your work and goals? A Focus for Success Session might be what you need. Save an ADDITIONAL 10% with discount code ANNIVERSARY2012 until midnight on February 29, 2012. Get all the details here.

Too many times when I’ve asked my private clients what they do to recharge I get response like: “I don’t have time”; “I occasionally go for a walk or read a few pages of a book”, or “I used to…”. Many can’t remember what their hobby used to be let alone actively participate in one at the moment.

Take this quiz to find out how much energy you’re putting towards yourself and your goals, and if you’re Overwhelmed or Overjoyed. Give yourself one point for each question that is true for you:

1. I am frustrated and overwhelmed trying to reach the next level of professional growth because I’m not sure what to do next.

2. I struggle with trying to identify priorities, manage my time, and get “unstuck” so I can reach extraordinary results

3. Worries, fears and limiting beliefs keep me from making the progress I desire

4. It’s difficult to find time to devote to myself and my goals because I’m caring for everyone else

5. I’m unsure of the specific purpose and path for my life

6. I have a powerful vision for where I want to be but feel it is just beyond my grasp

7. Greater balance between home and work is really needed

8.  I’m unable to take consistent and persistent action to achieve my top goals

9.  I struggle to set inspiring goals for myself or business and get them done

10. I have achieved what I wanted in my career but feel something is missing

11. There never seems to be as much time as I’d like for family & friends

12. I just wish I could get it all done without the guilt

Scoring Key:

1 – 3: You’ve likely got great balance, much joy in your life, and a plan to achieve your goals that is working for you. If you’d like to raise the bar in an area of your life or accomplish your goals more quickly and efficiently, contact me to see if coaching is a tool that can help you.

4 – 6: You might feel overwhelmed and scattered, unable to make the progress you desire. My coaching can provide you with the focus, motivation and accountability needed to form new behaviors for increasing joy in your personal life and greater professional success.

7 or more: Trying to be Superwoman has left you feeling depleted and unfulfilled. There are likely several areas of your personal and professional life that need fortifying. Working through my 7-step Guilt-Free Results System™ will help you reclaim time for yourself, accomplish your big goals, and find a joyful, more meaningful path.

Your Guilt-Free Challenge:

I get it, I really do! I too am a hard-working business owner, a mother, wife, sister, daughter, in-law, volunteer at my church, board member, etc. I understand firsthand how difficult it can be to squeeze everything in much less take time for yourself, but I’m also here to encourage you to do it anyway.

If you’re looking for help resetting some priorities and overcoming any guilt around caring for yourself so you can be at your best for everyone else you’re caring for, consider being part of this upcoming call:

Are selfcare and balance really possible?
February 7th | 11:00 am CST / 12:00 pm EST

All too often selfcare is relegated to the bottom of our to-do lists and balance seems an illusive dream. During this we will cover Step 1 of my Guilt-Free RESULTS process, Reset Your Priorities. Much of the information is designed to assist you in giving yourself the permission needed to begin resetting your priorities in order to accomplish the big goals that are important to you.

You’ll also receive an assessment tool, 3 steps to guilt-free No’s, and a desired vision worksheet.

These calls are ONLY for Guilt-Free RESULTS Action Group members. Not a member? Join now to be part of this call as well as 50+ hours of audio training calls,40 handouts, checklists, and exercises to help you implement what you are learning and more.

“I’ll start my diet… tomorrow.”
“I’ll make those calls… on Monday.”
“I’ll go exercise… later.”

What is the problem? It’s simple: Procrastination.

Somehow doing what you know you need to becomes less appealing than doing what you’re doing right now – watching TV, reading blogs, or reading the sports page. Your dreams and goals disappear, and all you can think about is what’s next on the DVR or the record of your favorite NFL team.

There are ways to get yourself going, though. Let’s get started by evaluating your goal:

Evaluating Your Goal

You know you want to increase your marketing, find a new client, or declutter your house. But somehow, you’re not getting around to it. The first place to start is with your goal. Sometimes procrastination occurs because your goal simply isn’t clear enough. To have an effective, motivating goal, you need to know precisely what you’re heading for.

Decluttering your house is too broad; to make it motivating, try breaking it down more specifically. Measurable is helpful, too. Getting rid of 50 books, clearing out all clothes that the kids haven’t worn in six months, reducing the number of DVDs the family has so they all fit on a single shelf… these are motivating goals! They give you something to aim for.

Another common problem with goals is not setting a deadline. Which is more likely to get your rear in gear: Losing weight in order to attend your high school reunion in three months, or losing weight… someday? As I often tell my clients, a goal without a date is just a wish. Even self-imposed deadlines can be effective, so don’t set a goal without setting a deadline.

Many goal-setters set a goal that is too ambitious (“Create an entire website by next month”) or not enough of a stretch (“Ask one person about job openings at her company this month.”). The best goals lie somewhere in the middle. They’re large enough to require some serious effort, but realistic enough that you have a good chance of achieving them.

Effective goals need to be reviewed regularly, too. Just writing them down on an index card on January 1 and sticking them in the back of your Day Planner isn’t going to get you very far; some experts recommend re-reading your goals – OUT LOUD – at least once in the morning and once at night. You might also try posting them throughout your home and office: On the bathroom mirror, on the refrigerator, on the dashboard of your car, on the screensaver of your computer. This leaves no doubt about what you’re aiming for, and also serves as a constant reminder.

Maybe the most important thing to evaluate your goal for, though, is to make sure it’s really yours, and really what YOU want. Sometimes we set goals because they sound good, we think we should want them, or someone else told us it was a good thing to aim for. Forget all that! If your heart isn’t in it, no wonder you’re not working towards it and are watching reruns of “Lost” instead.

Find something you can truly put your efforts into – learning Japanese, feeding pets that were abandoned in natural disasters, writing that book you’ve dreamed about, bringing a new product to market – and work on that. You get one go-round in this life, so you may as well spend it where it matters to you.

After some research I find the poem is somewhat popular but no one seems to know the original author. One reference I found stated the poem was heard on a personal development tape almost 20 years ago. Regardless of the original origins, it’s certainly worth repeating!

The Comfort Zone

I used to have a Comfort Zone where I knew I couldn’t fail.
The same four walls of busy work were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before.
But I stayed inside my Comfort Zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like diamonds, furs and such.

I claimed to be so busy with the things inside my zone.
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath and stepped outside to let the change begin.

I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before.
I kissed my Comfort Zone “good-bye” and closed and locked the door.

If you are in a Comfort Zone afraid to venture out.
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.

A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true
Greet your future with a smile, Success is there for you!!!

Need a little nudge out of YOUR comfort zone? Consider joining me at any of the upcoming live or virtual events coming up designed to help you succeed in 2012!

10. Taking Care of Yourself (Video Tip)

9.   Establishing Priorities (Video Tip)

8.   F.O.C.U.S. (Video Tip)

7.   Are You Open for Business (Video Tip)

6.   Mindset Mastery Assessment (Quiz)

5.   Ready to Overcome Procrastination? (Video Tip)

4.   How Well Do You Maintain Balance? (Quiz)

3.   A Strong Vision Leads to Success  (Article)

2.   Are You Struggling with Guilt? (Video Tip)

and drum roll please…

1.   Goal Setting for the New Year: How to Set Your Business Up for Success (Audio)

Here’s to your BIG success in 2012!

When working with my clients, the topic of clutter is often a hot one, whether the clutter is in mental or physical form. Today I’d like to share with you the insights I gained as it relates to physical clutter from America’s Clutter Coach™, Cyndy Salzman, who I heard speak a couple years ago. One of the most interesting statements Cyndy made was, “Sometimes our ‘stuff’ keeps us from spending time connecting with others”.

How true I realized that was as I thought of how many times I didn’t invite over a friend or neighbor because my home was a mess or clutter filled. Or the many times client birthday cards have been sent late because I know I HAVE the card I just can’t FIND it beneath the piles.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your clutter or it’s keeping you from deeper connections with friends and family, take a look at the 5 R’s to Cyndy’s Clutter Control.

Before you begin tackling the clutter she recommends gathering a roll of trash bags (the dark ones) and 4 large containers (again not clear). Start in one place/room and tackle that area completely before moving on. Here’s the 5 R’s you’ll use for controlling the clutter as you go:

1. Refuse (as in trash)

Use your roll of dark trash bags (not the clear ones so as not to be tempted to garbage pick – - you know who you are!) and as you are working throw out all the trash. Here’s the key – - If you’re embarrassed to give it to a neighbor, DON’T give it to charity!

Cyndy shared that she has a friend who runs a charitable organization near her who told her much of their time is spent going through donations and throwing out the trash others couldn’t bring their self to toss so instead they donated it. Make your donations count and get rid of the junk for them!

2. Recycle

Label one of your containers with the word Recycle and put anything into here that can’t go to a landfill. Then when you’re done organizing this first space you can pull out items to be placed in your weekly recycle bin and find a proper disposal for the rest. For example, a township near me provides special recycling days each month for taking the odd items like used motor oil, old paint, electric equipment, computers, etc.

3. Repair

In this container, place anything that is still useable if they were fixed. Here’s the key – - Put an expiration date on the item. If you don’t get it fixed by that date then get rid of it! If you can’t or don’t like to sew on those buttons, find a reasonable tailor. You get the idea!

4. Relocate

As you are decluttering your space you are bound to find items in it that just don’t belong there. Perhaps they would more logically go in a different spot of your home or office. Instead of getting up to run to that room and put the item away, place it in the Relocate box. That way when you move to the next room to work you can pull out any items needing to be relocated there and save yourself a lot of wasted time running from room to room.

5. Remove

This last bin is for those things that are in good condition that you COULD use but you AREN’T! They are things someone else could really use or perhaps needs. When we’re holding onto things we’re not using, we keep it from the people who could benefit from it most. Stop HOARDING!

Another tip Cyndy shared with our group is that every year she has a “Set Your Own Prices” garage sale. Everything is free the last 2 hours and she always sells out! She also nets a very tidy profit and feels good knowing her “stuff” is getting into the hands of people who can really use it.

We have SO MUCH in our country and tend to cling to it so TIGHTLY. Let loose, release the stuck energy of your clutter and connect with the people you love!

This international book project has more than 300 people sharing their stories of gratitude, with national book sale proceeds benefiting three charitable organizations.  The book launch is TODAY on Amazon http://amzn.to/szlmxy.

Purchase The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude on Amazon TODAY, e-mail me a copy of your receipt or purchase confirmation and I’ve got over $200 in additional bonuses below that I’ll give you!

The book shares compelling stories of appreciation and evidence that harnessing the power of gratitude can be a life-changing force. The difference between saying thank you—good manners—and living in gratitude—great life skill—are illustrated in moving pieces.

There’s a mom who thinks of irritations as blessings and another who gives thanks for Muscular Dystrophy. There are narratives about how wrinkles, not fitting in and suffering came to be embraced. There’s even gratitude for ex-husbands and “ugly gifts.”

The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude is not only full of thanks but is also brimming over with testimonials to the people, things, events, and circumstances we so often take for granted.

My contribution to the book centers around making room for gratitude during the busy holiday season. It’s the time of year when the weather gets cool and the social calendar heats up which can make it difficult to express gratitude.

I’ve often heard the expression, ‘Gratitude is the attitude that determines your altitude’ and it’s something I’ve tried to take to heart. Gratitude is easy to read about and think about but something all together different to put into action, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. That’s why I’m excited to be part of a book that can truly be an inspiration to all who read it and help show people how they can make gratitude a part of their lives every day.

In keeping with the spirit of the project, net proceeds from national book sales will be split among three charitable organizations: Feeding America, Women for Women International and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ACPCA).

The book shares compelling stories of appreciation and evidence that harnessing the power of gratitude can be a life-changing force. The difference between saying thank you—good manners—and living in gratitude—great life skill—are illustrated in moving pieces.

There’s a mom who thinks of irritations as blessings and another who gives thanks for Muscular Dystrophy. There are narratives about how wrinkles, not fitting in and suffering came to be embraced. There’s even gratitude for ex-husbands and “ugly gifts.”

The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude is not only full of thanks but is also brimming over with testimonials to the people, things, events, and circumstances we so often take for granted.

My contribution to the book centers around making room for gratitude during the busy holiday season. It’s the time of year when the weather gets cool and the social calendar heats up which can make it difficult to express gratitude.

I’ve often heard the expression, ‘Gratitude is the attitude that determines your altitude’ and really strive to take that to heart in my life. Gratitude is easy to read about and think about but something all together different to put into action, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. That’s why I’m excited to be part of a book that can truly be an inspiration to all who read it and help show people how they can make gratitude a part of their lives every day.

In keeping with the spirit of the project, net proceeds from national book sales will be split among three charitable organizations: Feeding America, Women for Women International and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

BONUS WHEN YOU PURCHASE DECEMBER 14, 2011:

Purchase The Gratitude Book Project: Celebrating 365 Days of Gratitude on Amazon TODAY (http://amzn.to/szlmxy), e-mail me a copy of your receipt or purchase confirmation and get over $200 in additional bonuses below from me:

BONUS #1 – Goal Achievement Assessment Session

(retail value $125)

A private 30-minute goal assessment and coaching session designed to help you:

• Clarify your vision of success
• Uncover hidden challenges or obstacles that could be sabotaging your success
• Increase your probability of success
• Find additional opportunities and strategies to move your goal forward
• Identify next steps for getting into powerful action

 BONUS #2 – Guilt-Free RESULTS Business Kit

(retail value $67)

Be among the firsts to get my brand new business kit coming out January 2012. The kit includes:

• 24 page guidebook
• Guilt-Free RESULTS Implementation Checklist
• 24-minute Time Management Audio
• 60-minute audio Tutorial explaining the business kit and how to use it

BONUS #3 – Digital Copy of my Got Balance Audio Program

(retail value $14.97)

Looking for greater life harmony and balance?

Are you a working professional frustrated trying to do it alland feel as though you are unable to get off the treadmill of life? Get ready to find your unique sense of balanceand make the small shifts to get there using this 45-minute audio and 18-page booklet.