Priority Before Pleasure - Are you a Procrastinator?

I wish I had more time. How often have you said or thought that? You're not alone. One of the biggest challenges women face as they juggle parenting, work and their intimate relationships is fitting everything in. It's also one of the most difficult topics to deal with because most women don't know where or how to start.

The following are 5 tips to help you control your time so that you handle your life more efficiently.

1. The first step to consider is how efficient you are at getting organized. Ask yourself the following questions:

* Do I struggle during the day to get everything done?
* Do I avoid what I don't like doing?
* Do I know where I am wasting time?It's important to be objective so you can plan and follow a realistic schedule that will give you the results you want.

2. Prioritize. Make a to-do list for the day. Then arrange the tasks in order of importance. For example:

a. Review financial report [ 3 ]
b. Call attorney [1 ]
c. Finish writing business proposal [4]
d. Make dental appointment [2]
e. Go to Post Office [5 ]

3. What you don't get done, carry over to the next day, making it your number one task. Try not to squeeze too much into one day, since that would only frustrate, overwhelm and prevent you from accomplishing what you want to do. Also, don't take on anything at the last minute. Just do it the next day, when you can more leisurely put in the quality effort.

5. Remember to put your priorities before your leisure. It's a thrill to reward yourself with something enjoyable because you had such a productive day. These simple strategies can move you forward and break your chronic tendency to put things off. It can get you back on track and prevent you from relying on a crisis to get you motivated. When you take control of your time, you reduce the everyday chaos and build your sense of accomplishment, which is very empowering and fulfilling.

Amy Sherman, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor in private practice. She is the author of Distress-Free Aging: A Boomer's Guide to Creating a Fulfilled and Purposeful Life. Go to www.bummedoutboomer.com to sign up for her free weekly eZine and receive a Special Report on Overcoming Adversity. Amy can be reached at amy@bummedoutboomer.com or 561-281-2975.