January 2011
THE ANTICRASTINATION TIP SHEET
From Rita Emmett
Author of The Procrastinator's Handbook
The Clutter-Busting Handbook AND
Manage Your Time To Reduce Your Stress: A Handbook for the Overworked, Overscheduled and Overwhelmed

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Happy New Year

Wishing You A Year That Brings

True enjoyment in each moment,
True fulfillment in each goal,
True contentment in your heart,
And true delight within your soul.
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Message from Rita
Several years ago, the New Year's message of this Tip Sheet made such a strong connection with our readers that we received over 100 emails about it. So because I think it is a good practice to go back and re-read words that mean something to us, here (with a few upgrades) is an "encore" of that Tip Sheet.

Happy New Year

At this time of year, we tend to think of new year's resolutions, new starts, and sometimes regrets. The regrets are often about those things we never got around to doing.

Sometimes we set impossibly high goals and sometimes year after year we make the same resolutions that we know we won't keep, then we start to think of ourselves as failures, losers or worthless worms. That frame of mind doesn't lead to ANTICRASTINATION; it more likely causes us to NOT try new things or to simply give up trying anything.

Let's kick off 2011 on a more positive, productive note. Instead of setting goals, look at the past year and focus on all the good things you did that you can be proud of. Write them down. None of this has to be huge. Just think of the things that make your life good, the way you want to be living it. For example:

• Took part in a new project at work
• Had fun building a snowman for the first time in ages
• Read The Procrastinator's Handbook
• Donated blood
• Had some good times with friends and family
• Volunteered for a community fund-raiser
• Went dancing
• Began a recycling habit
• Paid off a debt or invested some money
• Learned something new on the computer
• Re-connected with an old friend
• Spent time on a hobby
• Went to church
• Exercised
• Took a wonderful drive with the family to enjoy the fall colors
• Learned to relax
• Counted your blessings
• Read The Clutter-Busting Handbook, cleaned out a closet & donated lots of clothes to a worthy cause

These are just a few random examples with hopes this list might trigger some ideas for you. Take your time, write down everything you can think of that you are happy to have done, leave the paper out for several days, post it on a wall or a mirror and enjoy adding to it. As you list your positive achievements of 2010, let yourself wallow in feeling good about yourself, your life, and your accomplishments.

Doesn't that sound like more fun than making up a ton of resolutions? Don't forget that old saying: "Success breeds success". As you wallow in feeling good about your achievements, you just might find the energy and desire to move forward on something you've been putting off for a while (or a lifetime).

If that should happen, here's a question you can also write out and stick up on a wall or mirror (It's one of my favorite questions to ask at the beginning of a new year).

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

May 2011 be the very best year of your life.
Happy New Year.

Rita
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Results From Attending One Of Rita's Seminars
Hi Rita! Just want you to know that after attending your workshop, my husband DID get the tile in the foyer completed. I've been waiting years for this to happen. Better late than never.
Happy Uncluttered Holidaze
Jody Steffen, Alaska

HI,
Since I have taken the procrastination workshop, I have:

1. cleaned out my office drawers
2. cleaned out my linen closet, donated linen to AWAIC.
3. cleaned out my work shop (still more to do but can now work in there).
4. Have all jewelry appraised and ready for insurance updates.
5. Have gone thru the safe and appraised all rifles and pistols and ready for insurance updates
6. Hauled several boxes of books to Tidal Wave.
7. Hauled many bags of old coats, parkas, gloves and warm stuff to Jesus' Closet.

Working on:

1. Going thru old photos, pitching and getting ready to scan (one photo album a day).
2. Going thru pantry and getting rid of appliances I don't use anymore.
3. Going thru old files, purging, pitching, and updating.
4. Carpeting one room at a time, it's sort of like moving!
5. Keeping my office desk somewhat clean and usable at all times. This is a continual bhag. (For those of you who do not speak "Alaska" that means Big Hairy Audacious Goal!).
6. Every day I read my STING, SINS, and FAST cards.

I realize, for me anyway, that procrastination and clutter take quite a bit of time to get it under control however, keeping it under control just takes minutes. I can already feel the freedom that it has given to me
Bec

Please share this Tip Sheet with 2 or 3 friends who would be interested. And feel free to use this message in your blog or newsletter, as long as you include my bio and contact info:

Rita Emmett
Author of The Procrastinator's Handbook,
The Clutter-Busting Handbook and
Manage Your Time to Reduce Your Stress: A Handbook for the Overworked, Overscheduled, and Overwhelmed
www.ritaemmett.com
REmmett412@aol.com
2331 Eastview
Des Plaines, IL 60018
847-699-9950
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No trees were destroyed in the sending of this message,
but a significant number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.