*Envision goal. Is it 1000 new subscribers to your ezine? Is it a potential big sale that will change your business, or leaving a job that will help you live your dream? Make a little note and park it somewhere that's frequently in your line of site, such as a Post It on your computer screen. (You can word it obscurely to protect your privacy in an open office environment.) By keeping you attention on big picture, you'll naturally get less hung up on day-to-day small stuff.

*Impose a temporary goal. One of my dreaded tasks is vocalizing, or exercising my vocal cords every day in an effort to keep my singing voice in shape. Just about only motivator I've found that works is always having a small performance just ahead … especially in times when I'm working on a long-term project that doesn't 'need' my voice anytime soon. Knowing I have to perform, even at a dinner party, keeps me interested in staying in shape. Same would apply if you want to work out on a regular basis. Find a charity fun run or walkathon you can get yourself in shape for.

That should give you some fodder for facing harsh realities of life, and getting on with those annoyingly procrastinated to-do's. Feng Shui experts insist this 'mental clutter' keeps us small and inefficient; once we actually go through hard stuff, and clear out our anxiety and procrastination, we thrive.

And guess what? They're absolutely right!

TRY THIS … Create a better to-do list

One of my little projects for summer was to tame my unruly, wildly unreliable to-do list. Somehow it spilled out of my date book, spewing Post-Its all over my desk and computer, with another undocumented stack of tasks always clogging up my inbox. What to do?

First I read David Allen's book, Getting Things Done, and a little light bulb went off in my head. Allen suggests organizing tasks by location where you do them. So you maintain lists like 'At Computer', 'Errands', 'Office Time' and 'Calls to Make'. That's easy and efficient. Allen then has several suggestions on where to keep these lists.

I choose Tasks function of Outlook, on my computer, and boy is that terrific! Every day when I turn on my email, there's my task list staring me in my face. Productivity experts note that a graphic portrayal of tasks is actually helpful in understanding, and being motivated by them. Some are done, some are undone … and I can divide them into location lists, check lists, a timeline, or any kind of list I want at click of a button.

Not only that, computer actually gets me to put a time frame on all tasks (if I want) and then reminds me when deadline is near or past.

This is just kind of office structure a meandering, creative mind like mine (and yours?) needs to keep focused and on track.

In order to do this, you must ‘wake up’ and mentally ‘watch’ your thoughts. Just thinking that you wish to be successful and wealthy is not enough, You must also ‘see’ it. When you watch yourself think, your mind is open to receive answers you desire. This new way of thinking is based upon true understanding of your mind and way you think. It’s magical!

You are at mercy of your thoughts. You can’t stop them - so you must be aware of them and understand them. This powerful insight ’awakens’ you. With this kind of power over your thoughts, you magically know what’s happening in your life.

In order to achieve your dreams, you must live in a constant state of awareness. Be totally surprised about everything around you. When you learn to think in this new way, you start living kind of life you wish. You change because your way of thinking changes. You get ideas you’ve never had before. You see things, people, places, and events in a whole new way.

You also become aware of opportunities. Learn how to identify them for what they are and how you want them to benefit your life. Remember, only barrier between you and what you desire is your lack of understanding. Knowledge alone of a certain thing isn’t always answer. Understanding is knowing how and why a certain thing happens. Success lies just beyond your thoughts. Know that this understanding is what inspires you to accomplish what you really desire in life. And if you are satisfied with yourself -and-your thoughts, there is nothing you cannot do or be – because your thoughts are powerful! ###