Today I’m celebrating my birthday! I love being born this time of year, because it’s my favorite season. The perennials are blooming, I’m able to go barefoot, and we have a couple of great week long motorcycle trips planned.

I’ll be out on the golf course with my son and husband and away from the office today, but I am writing to ask for a favor and because it’s my birthday, I’d like to give you a present.

First, my new Facebook fan page is up, and I would be so very grateful if you would visit me there and “LIKE” me. You’ll be able to get a couple of free offers I think you’ll enjoy. VISIT MY PAGE AND CONNECT WITH ME HERE

And, since it’s my birthday, I’m offering a gift of a free “Visioning Consultation” to the first five people who contact me. It’s a complimentary coaching session valued at $295 and f*ree to you!

If you’d like more clarity on where you’re going in life, more clarity on how to grow your business, then reply quickly be emailing me at jane@janemorrison.com to take me up on my offer of a visioning session that will get you crystal clear on your next steps down the path of happiness. Don’t stay stuck any longer!

Summer is a time we cram in all sorts of fun. We get out the summer drink recipes, invite friends over for barbecues and take long weekends. But remember to work on your dreams a little bit each and every day, because every great dream begins with a dreamer.

Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

All my best to you,

Taking time out of a busy day full of work, family obligations, errands and walking the dog to plan can seem like one more thing to do. However, without a plan, you won’t reach your destination.

Here are 10 simple, but powerful steps to make your life richer, more fulfilling and organized.

Strive to work them into your life. Don’t aim for perfection, but putting them into practice will bring more order and help you focus on what’s really important in your life.

1. Prioritize. Do you know where you’re aiming to go or what you want your future to look like? Ask yourself what’s most important to you this time in your life. Your health? Family? Business growth? Make sure you KNOW what’s most important to you and that you are taking time to focus on your priorities.
2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. It often happens, we take on way more than we should. Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty if it’s not on your priority list.
3. Plan at least the day ahead. Without a plan prior to your day, the hours will fly by and you won’t have focused on those things most important to you. Keep a diary of daily priorities and plan at least a day in advance.
4. Keep good effective and easy-to-use records. Nothing wastes time more than searching for something you need and not being able to find it. Take some time to set up a simple organizational file system, then discipline yourself to use it.
5. Do a little bit each day and be consistent. By “chunking down” a big project, like filing or picking up the house, and doing a bit each day, you won’t run into the overwhelming feeling of being out of control.
6. Keep things in perspective. Don’t expect perfection of yourself or others. Things may not be perfect, but as long as you can shrug it off knowing that you are doing the best you can, your stress level will thank you.
7. De-clutter and rearrange. Clarity in your mind begins with clarity in your surroundings. Regularly declutter and clean up space, one room or desk drawer at time. You’ll be amazed how much of a feeling of control you’ll gain.
8. Focus on each task. Complete each activity you begin. Whether you’re easily distracted, have a bit of ADD or love to multi-task, train yourself to complete a task before moving on. Learn not to start something unless it can be finished in the time frame you have. Looking at completion as a game makes getting something done rewarding and satisfying.
9. Schedule specific times for each task. Routine can be your best friend. Routine is taking care of things consistently. You’ll have less resistance, and more success with follow through, if you set regular times to workout, walk the dog, grocery shop, etc.
10. Simplify your life and keep everything in its place. It’s your life, you get to decide what it includes. Negative people and unfulfilling obligation need to be questioned on their value and eliminated. Same with the “stuff” that finds a way and makes its place in your home. Keep your surroundings simple with a place for everything and everything in its place. You’ll have peace of mind and from this order.

As women we tend to take on an overwhelming amount of roles and duties, and sometimes we forget just how awesome we are as we juggle it all. I love this “Ode to the Overwhelmed” – enjoy and feel great about yourself because you are awesome!

And as you stand there

Late again

Because you forgot to allow time to park

And the elevator was slow

And you left 10 minutes late to begin with

With your shoes that pinch

And your pants that are a little too small

Since you started eating white bread again

And as you paw through your bag

Looking for the suite number

That you’re not sure you wrote down to begin with

Let us now praise you.

You, the untidy.

You, the careless.

You, the easily distracted by sparkly things.

The money you spend on late fees alone

Could feed a family in Africa – Which reminds you that you meant to send in the kids’ Unicef money and

Forgot.

And that despite your best efforts,

You rarely eat a square meal,

You almost never get enough sleep

And exercise seems like a word that magazines have developed

Just to make you feel bad about yourself.

But you are good and brave.

You, flying by the seat of your pants

Making it work

Putting out fires

Saying your prayers

And dancing your dance of now and later and maybe and

I’ll-have-to-call-you-back-on-that-could-you-send-me-an-email-to-remind-me-to-call-you-back-on-that?

As innocent as each morning’s sunrise,

You are a fount of good intentions.

Your good humor is as graceful as a baby giraffe,

Even if that joke you were trying to make to the hotel clerk fell flat

And your toast at the wedding came out sounding a little…funny.

But you have gifts that no one knows about.

You have the strength to bend in the wind

You have the joyful spirit that loves a good belly laugh,

You have the wisdom to understand that everything will all come out all right in the end and

You have the faith to light a candle rather than curse the darkness.

That is, if you could find the book of matches from that romantic restaurant that you went to for your anniversary but since you didn’t have a reservation they made you wait at the bar for half an hour during which you had two appletinis and the rest of the night is a bit of a blur.

So much for the overpriced lingerie.

You are beautiful.

You are beautiful.

Frazzled and overworked and underpaid

You are the one who forgot your wallet

And forgot your receipt for the dry cleaners

And forgot your keys which you just set down five seconds ago, so where could they possibly have gone?

But you never forget to say, “I love you”

And you never forget to give a big smile to that nice parking guy

And you never fail to show endless patience when the

Too-tightly wrapped and overly-conscientious start to offer their

Oh-so-helpful suggestions about how you might feel better if you would just learn to alphabetize your spice rack.

You are beautiful.

So, wear the lingerie on Monday for no reason.

And why not just refuse to participate in the bake sale this year?

And give yourself a compliment for something you did well today.

Because you are the most beautiful person I’ve ever known.

© 2009 Samantha Bennett

www.TheOrganizedArtistCompany.com

Having a guest for 2 weeks straight, especially an elderly one,  is not something we are used to, and pushes routine out the window. This experience made me thoughtfully prioritize my days and take into account how to spend my time, as we wanted to be able to spend many quality moments with him, yet we both have a business to manage. 

I learned a lot from Bob’s visit; how to sit and be still, the power of quiet conversations, and to appreciate every moment life offers us. Read on for a powerful thought on a way of life: 

“This is the beginning of a new day.

You have been given this day to use as you will.

You can waste it or use it for good.

What you do today is important, because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, in its place is something that you have left behind….let it be something good.”

Her experience of overwhelm is very typical of people these days with so much going on. It’s a stressful and uncomfortable place to be.

Lack of focus is very distracting, and is a huge time robber. With lack of focus comes chaos, clutter, disorganization and negative and frustration feelings about oneself or obligations.

Here’s a little exercise I do with my clients to help them regain focus, prioritize and feel more at ease, less stressed and excited once again about their projects.

1)    Do a “brain dump”. On a blank sheet of paper, write a list of everything that “needs to get done”.  You’ll find that some of it is work related (change my website copy) and some is personal related (take the dog to the vet for his shots).  No worries,  just get is all down on paper. With it on paper, you can begin to let go of the sense of urgency and overwhelm that storing all these “to-do’s” in your head has caused.  You’ll feel more in control and can breathe easier.

2)    Now that you can see what’s on your plate, take a look at the list.  I like to separate personal from business, and then begin to prioritize.

3)    What tasks are “URGENT” and need to get done right away – by urgent I mean that there are huge negative consequences to them, (financially, legally, etc).  Mark those with an asterisk. 

4)    Note what’s left on your list. You’ll notice that there aren’t as many URGENT tasks as you thought.  Now you can see the reality of your list, and put the other items in order of importance, from “important” to “nice to do’s but not so important”.

Your list might tell you that you’re a creative thinker, and you’ve placed more on your plate than you really have time to tackle.  It’s OK to let some things go, in fact, I advise it.

Your list will also show you how you may be involved in too many activates, and you need to learn to say “no” or set better boundaries.

My last piece of advice to you is to remember that YOU are the foundation of your success, and if you stop taking care of yourself, body, mind, and spirit, you’ll feel overwhelmed more easily.  So even though you “might not feel like you have time”, be sure to put YOUR NEEDS on that list of things to get done.

I had the opportunity to attend a gala fundraising event Friday night. Dressed up more than usual, I enjoyed this black tie affair aimed at celebrating life for cancer survivors, celebrating life for those who have passed from cancer, and fundraising to build a holistic center for women undergoing cancer treatments.

I’m so impressed with the courage and strength of women (and their loved ones) who have been touched by this disease.

This motivational message I received last week from the Universe reminds me to enjoy every moment of everyday and live in gratitude. Life is a gift not to take for granted.

"I’m often asked, "Being the Universe and all, "What’s the purpose of life?" But truthfully, no matter who or what you are that’s a pretty daunting question. So daunting, I’m invariably compelled to reply with a few questions of my own:

"Do you mean besides having fun? Besides learning that the world has always spun in the palm of your hand? Besides bicycles, long walks, and hot chocolate? Besides holding hands, giving hugs, and drying tears? Besides having a dream and making it come true? Besides February, Fridays, and Polar Bears? Besides witnessing miracles that only you are privy to? Besides sunrises, sunsets, and every rare and fleeting moment in between?"

Daunting is an understatement.
The Universe

Thoughts become things… choose the good ones!
(c) www.tut.com (r)

In retrospect, I asked myself what the struggle was all about.  My stumbling block was believing the myth that I could – and should – do it all.  I began to make progress when I became willing to admit I cannot – and should not. 

You see, I don’t mind working hard in the winter, but now the Minnesota sun is beginning to shine, melting snow and ice into puddles of water. Although we may have a few more weeks of hard winter, the birds are beginning to sing a bit more and I can feel in my blood that spring is right around the corner.

With spring, the fun begins. Pruning bushes, throwing down new grass seed, cleaning out garages, hanging birdfeeders, trips to the nursery to pick out plants to fill the empty planters, getting out the bicycles and motorcycles… after a very long and very cold winter, we are all ready to let the fun begin. 

My goal is to be as efficient as I can so when that beautiful time of the year comes, the time we long for all winter, I will have a team that supports me.  Getting myself organized so I am able to delegate work is extremely important.  Being a great Life Coach means delicately balancing businesswoman and Jane. 

Are you feeling spring in your blood too?  What do you need to do to get more free time on your plate?  Are you ready to let go of something?  What can you let go that will allow you to pursue your passions more directly and efficiently? 

Do you get frustrated by your own need to make things just right?

 Do you start out and easily get distracted and never finish what you intended to do? 

I’ve suffered from all these procrastination descriptions, and I guess I’m not alone, because according to the Procrastination Research Group at Carleton University, up to 70 percent of North Americans struggle with procrastination.  

But I’m finally in a groove where I accomplish what I intend to do. 

So how do we accomplish what we really want to do? 

I’ll share my secrets and solutions with you, so you too can move forward with your dreams and goals. 

Join me in this hands on seminar where you will finally figure out:

1)  What’s REALLY important for you to get done

2)   What is your “prominent procrastination” profile

3)  The strategies and solutions you can use to overcome your suffering and guilt

4)  Easy steps to cure your  particular procrastination habits

5)  What’s really getting in the way of your procrastination

This “Class in Action” that will provide powerful worksheets that we’ll use during the class to get to the heart of your procrastination. You’ll also receive personal coaching from Jane to be able to get the breakthrough you need to move ahead. .

If you are FINALLY ready to break free of your procrastination bad habits…..then join us to discover solutions that really work! 

This class will be conducted by telesminar. That means you get to join us in the comfort of your home or office. All you need is a quiet place free of distraction, a telephone, and be ready to make some changes in your life.

Here’s an easy sign up link:  http://janemorrison.com/events

Just call at the designated time (1:00 PM Eastern; Noon Central; 11:00 AM Mountain; and 10:00 AM Pacific) and enter your pin number. It helps to have a headset. Please call from a landline since cell phones can cause distractions.

If you’d like to join us, but cannot make the date, be sure to register and we’ll send you the recording and worksheets that you can do on your own.

 DON’T DELAY, DON’T PUT THIS OFF

ANY LONGER…SIGN UP NOW!

P.S. This class is F*R*E*E to my “Boost your Business Mastermind Group”. Check it out at http://www.smartsavvysuccess.com/boost