When I speak with such individuals, I first ask them what it is that they find hectic and stressful. In most cases, it is not their way of life that is causing problem, but it is how they manage many facets of their life. "Moving to mountains" is merely running away from problems that are making life difficult. The most haunting aspect of running is that problems will follow you regardless of how far "back in woods" you decide to move. The many facets or our lives can been seen as either stressful or as a learning experience and it is important, and beneficial, to resolve and manage them instead of running from them.

--- Why is it so hard? ---

On one extreme, there are people that say that life is beautiful, but they are bitter and unfulfilled. On other, there are those that despise life as horrid and painful, yet they are content to remain in their situation.

If indeed life were an absolute, everyone would see it same way. However, life is a series of events that occur on a given timeline. We all mask and filter these events, or realities, because of our experiences. Sometimes we're blinded by these filters and cannot move; however, it is how you are able to adjust your view and manage your life that makes difference.

You can either let life run you, or you can run it. It's just that simple. You have power to determine events and opportunity to decide when these events occur. But, to do this, you have to not only figure out what is in your life, but also where you want your life to go. This is first step in simplifying your life.

--- But, if I just dump it all, it all goes away. ---

Yes, if you simplify by eliminating everything in your life then, indeed, all of "those" problems will disappear. However, you will end up with ... nothing ... and an entirely new set of problems to handle. But, in process, what is it that you are getting rid of? Your furniture? A car? Some tools? Your family? No, you are getting rid of "stuff." Stuff consists of things in your life that, at one time or another, meant something to you or represented something. For some reason, now they don't.

Look around at your stuff and determine what it meant to you and why. Then, figure out what changed over your life such that stuff no longer means anything to you. As you consider changes, think about whether these changes were for good or bad. Did you outgrow these things for better or for worse?

As you ponder, realize that stuff is not causing problems, but it is your view of your "life" and what "it" means to you. These things are merely representations of something that once was, but no longer is, and now you feel tug of what these items represent. This "tug" usually happens when you have no current direction in your life and are searching for something more, or better, within yourself.

--- But, there's just so much coming at me. ---

Overwhelming sensations are expected in today's world; however, you have ability to control everything that comes at you. The only thing that prevents your control is your ability to comprehend various levels of control you can exert on any given facet of your life.

You have to examine every facet of your life, not just ones that appear to be causing problems. You might find that ones that appear to be causing greatest problems are not problems at all, but are instead irritated by other gnawing aspects of your life.

Write down single, overwhelming, feeling that you have --- confused, lost, angry, misdirected, intimidated, etc. Then, write down every element of your life that affects you directly and indirectly --- work, marriage, neighbor, expectations, disappointments, successes, past, future, desires, hobbies, kids, friends, etc. For each of those items, write down how you feel about each one listed --- angry, alienated, confused, overwhelmed, etc.

Go through your list several times then sleep on it for a few days. You are slowly defining things that are creating overall feeling you originally noted. Let it all settle in so that you can think clearer next time that you examine list. Then, as you go through feelings you defined for each item in your life, determine if there is a common thread that is causing that feeling.

A few hours after I read my colleague's e-mail about how she plans to procrastinate, Oprah was on TV interviewing life coach Martha Beck about how to de-stress your life. During her interview with Oprah, Martha suggested that instead of making a To Do list, we make a NOT To Do list.

That same week, I came to realization that I had over committed myself when I agreed to be part of a weekly teleconference meeting over next eight weeks. As I thought about topic of teleconference, I had to laugh. The Teleconference topic -- Balancing Between Work and Life - hit a nerve. I realized I was getting out of balance myself!

How often do you commit to something that you later regret, and then say to yourself, "Well, I HAVE TO DO IT because I gave my word!" Then you go on your way, grumbling about how over committed and stressed out you are. That's what I used to do, and I am getting better at recognizing when it's in my best interest to renegotiate commitments I have made. In this case, I renegotiated my participation in teleconference, and by doing so I have freed up several hours a week of my time over next eight weeks.

I think it is more than coincidence that I was bombarded with similar messages from several different sources, all within same week. Perhaps universe was telling me something that I needed to hear…and just in time for March Forth Day and National Procrastination Week, which coincide with each other first week in March.

Last year at this time I wrote an article titled March 4th…Time to March Forth! located at http://www.orgcoach.net/newsletter/march2001.html and year before that my March article was titled Fear Not! - The Perfectionist's Credo -- an article about procrastination found at http://www.orgcoach.net/newsletter/v3issue3.html. To do or not to do -- to march forth or to procrastinate -- that is question. Or IS that question?

It occurred to me that perhaps best way to march forth in my life is to NOT do some things, to just say NO! I think that's why my colleague enjoys her procrastination exercise so much, and why Martha Beck has helped so many of her clients reclaim their lives by creating a NOT To Do list. We're all too busy being busy! Meanwhile, life is passing us by.

Several years ago I made a poster that says, "Every time I say YES to someone or something, I am saying NO to someone or something else." (Remember, I'm a recovering workaholic!) This poster has helped me make better decisions about what I say YES and NO to. Given that procrastination means not doing something, perhaps one of reasons that many of us procrastinate is because our lives are so full of things that deserve to be on our NOT To Do lists. Of course, there are also many other reasons for procrastinating. What is possible once you de-clutter your life of activities and commitments that are not top priority to you? What does your NOT To Do list contain?

Just Say NO! "It's easy to say 'no!' when there's a deeper 'yes!' burning inside." --Stephen Covey As an organizing consultant, I get calls every week from individuals who suffer from stress, disharmony, and sometimes dysfunction. People call me asking for assistance getting organized. I often ask, "What will getting organized do for you?" These are some of replies I hear: "If I didn't waste so much time looking for things, I could focus on things that are really important that I just don't have time for now," or "I'd have more time to relax and do things I enjoy."

Although a good storage or filing system and tickler file will help my clients find things quickly and remember important follow-up, there is no organizational system in world that will fully address most common concern that I hear from nearly every person who calls me-not enough time. Visit http://orgcoach.net/find5sec.html to read more about a remarkable filing system that can help you find ANYTHING in 5 seconds or less. Visit http://www.orgcoach.net/companystore ickler_file.html to read more about how to set up a tickler file and to view a photo of accordion part of customized tickler file system.

We all have 168 hours a week. You say that's not enough? What if you could wave a magic time wand and add an extra day to each week -- for a total of 192 hours a week. Would that be enough? I'll bet not! It's buffet syndrome! Whether we get a smaller plate or a larger plate, most of us will fill it to rim at an all-you-can-eat buffet!

I frequently tell my clients that organizing their time and environment without first clarifying their priorities is like rearranging deck chairs on Titanic. Since more time will not solve problem, other alternative is to have less stuff you "gotta do." The NOT To Do List "With so many options and choices nowadays, you will have to start saying no to some of good things in order to accommodate best things." --Harold Taylor