Everyone procrastinates. We put things off because we don’t want to do them, or because we have too many other things on our plates. Putting things off—big or small—is part of being human.
If you are reading this handout, however, it is likely that your procrastination is troubling you. You suspect that you could be a much better writer if only you didn’t put off writing projects until the last minute. You find that just when you have really gotten going on a paper, it’s time to turn it in; so, you never really have time to revise or proofread carefully. You love the rush of adrenalin you get when you finish a paper ten minutes before it’s due, but you (and your body) are getting tired of pulling all-nighters. You feel okay about procrastinating while in college, but you worry that this habit will follow you into your working life.
Procrastination Killer
You can tell whether or not you need to do something about your procrastination by examining its consequences. Procrastination can have external consequences (you get a zero on the paper because you never turned it in) or internal consequences (you feel anxious much of the time, even when you are doing something that you enjoy). If you put off washing the dishes, but the dishes don’t bother you, who cares? When your procrastination leaves you feeling discouraged and overburdened, however, it is time to take action.
For those of you who want to eliminate procrastination, here are 10 simple steps:
1. First make sure you really, really, really want to do it. Seriously – don’t skip this step.
2. Keep things simple – don’t mess with tools, formatting, anything, just start.
3. Make it the first thing you do today, before checking email or anything else.
4. Clear away everything that stands in the way of doing. Including turning off the Internet.
5. Just get started. Overcome the initial barrier by diving in.
6. Tell yourself you’re just going to do 10 minutes.
7. Put something you dread more at the top of your to-do list — you’ll put off doing that by doing the other things on your list.
8. Find something about it that excites you.
9. Forget about perfection. Just start doing it, and fix it later.
10. If you keep procrastinating, re-evaluate whether you really want to do it. Consider not doing it, or putting it on the backburner.
If all else fails, just take a nap or go outside and enjoy the outdoors or do nothing. Life isn’t all about productivity.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Potpourri of wise advice and other wisecracks
"Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure."
~ Earl Wilson
"Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get."
~ Author Unknown
"It is wise to keep in mind that no success or failure is necessarily final."
~ Author Unknown
"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."
~ Mark Twain
"Those who understand interest, EARN IT. Those who don't, PAY IT!"
~ Albert Einstein
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!"
~ Mario Andretti
"Some people wanted champagne and caviar when they should have had beer and hot dogs."
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
"The alarm bells on our nation's fiscal condition have now become a siren."
~ Sen. Mitch McConnell
"Never bite the hand that feeds you, because it will be the same hand that chokes you to death!"
~ Donluciano Reggallo
"Rich people plan for three generations, poor people plan for Saturday night."
~ Andrew Tobias
"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Accordingly a genius is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework."
- Thomas Edison, Inventor
"High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation."
- Charles Kettering, Inventor
"Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even."
- Muhammad Ali, boxer
"The greatest test of courage is to bear defeat without losing heart."
- Robert Ingersoll, orator
"You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great."
~ Les Brown
"I have always found that if I move with 75% or more of the facts, I usually never regret it. It's the guys who wait to have everything perfect that drive you crazy."
- Lee Iacocca, executive
"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher."
- Thomas Huxley, Biologist
"You can't do it unless you can imagine it."
- George Lucas, director
Courtesy: Mario Santarelli, O.C., CA. RE Broker/ Norada.com
~ Earl Wilson
"Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get."
~ Author Unknown
"It is wise to keep in mind that no success or failure is necessarily final."
~ Author Unknown
"The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."
~ Mark Twain
"Those who understand interest, EARN IT. Those who don't, PAY IT!"
~ Albert Einstein
"If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!"
~ Mario Andretti
"Some people wanted champagne and caviar when they should have had beer and hot dogs."
~ Dwight D. Eisenhower
"The alarm bells on our nation's fiscal condition have now become a siren."
~ Sen. Mitch McConnell
"Never bite the hand that feeds you, because it will be the same hand that chokes you to death!"
~ Donluciano Reggallo
"Rich people plan for three generations, poor people plan for Saturday night."
~ Andrew Tobias
"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Accordingly a genius is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework."
- Thomas Edison, Inventor
"High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation."
- Charles Kettering, Inventor
"Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even."
- Muhammad Ali, boxer
"The greatest test of courage is to bear defeat without losing heart."
- Robert Ingersoll, orator
"You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great."
~ Les Brown
"I have always found that if I move with 75% or more of the facts, I usually never regret it. It's the guys who wait to have everything perfect that drive you crazy."
- Lee Iacocca, executive
"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher."
- Thomas Huxley, Biologist
"You can't do it unless you can imagine it."
- George Lucas, director
Courtesy: Mario Santarelli, O.C., CA. RE Broker/ Norada.com
***The surest way to become a better and more confident public speaker***
In the late Robert B. Parker's latest Spenser novel, "Cold
Service," Spenser says to Susan this about his sidekick Hawk:
"He's nearly always right. Not because he knows everything. But
because he never talks about things he doesn't know."
This is a good tip for public speakers, bloggers, writers, and
anyone else who communicates: stick to what you know and you'll
be a more effective, more persuasive, more credible communicator.
And by "knowing" a thing, I don't mean just researching and
reading about it. I mean knowing from actual experience.
The only way to ensure total credibility as a speaker is to not
speak on a subject unless you've actually done it. If you haven't
done it and an audience member challenges you, you are completely
vulnerable ... because you don't truly know what you are talking
about.
"This article appears courtesy of Bob Bly Direct Response Letter,"
www.bly.com.
Service," Spenser says to Susan this about his sidekick Hawk:
"He's nearly always right. Not because he knows everything. But
because he never talks about things he doesn't know."
This is a good tip for public speakers, bloggers, writers, and
anyone else who communicates: stick to what you know and you'll
be a more effective, more persuasive, more credible communicator.
And by "knowing" a thing, I don't mean just researching and
reading about it. I mean knowing from actual experience.
The only way to ensure total credibility as a speaker is to not
speak on a subject unless you've actually done it. If you haven't
done it and an audience member challenges you, you are completely
vulnerable ... because you don't truly know what you are talking
about.
"This article appears courtesy of Bob Bly Direct Response Letter,"
www.bly.com.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
A True friend compared to An Ordinary friend...
An ordinary friend has never seen you cry.
A true friend has had a wet shoulder from your tears.
An ordinary friend does not know your parents' first names.
A true friend probably has their phone number written down
as well.
An ordinary friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A true friend shows up early to help you prepare...
and stays late to help clean up.
An ordinary friend gets upset when you call late.
A true friend asks why you weren't able to call earlier.
An ordinary friend likes to listen to your problems.
A true friend likes to help you solve them.
An ordinary friend behaves like a guest and waits to be
served when he or she visits.
A true friend goes to the fridge and serves himself.
An ordinary friend thinks your friendship is over after a
quarrel.
A true friend knows that friendships get stronger after a
quarrel.
An ordinary friend always expects you to be there to help out.
A true friend is always there to help you out.
A true friend?
Someone who sticks with you when everyone else abandons you.
..................................................................
"A friend is someone I can be sincere with, someone I can
think out loud to."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
..................................................................
While walking along a beach at dawn an old man saw a boy
picking starfish up off the sand and throwing them back into
the sea. He caught up to the boy and asked him what he was doing.
The boy replied that the starfish would die if left exposed
on the sand after sunrise.
"But this beach goes on for miles," the old man said.
"There must be thousands of starfish stranded on the sand.
What difference will it make to save just a few?"
The boy looked at the starfish he was holding in his hand,
then threw it onto the surf.
"Well, for THAT starfish it makes a big difference!"
(Minnesota Literacy Council)
Another contribution from my True Friend Christian Godefroy :o)
Have a Truly Great weekend!
Your True Friend,
Jacques
A true friend has had a wet shoulder from your tears.
An ordinary friend does not know your parents' first names.
A true friend probably has their phone number written down
as well.
An ordinary friend brings a bottle of wine to your party.
A true friend shows up early to help you prepare...
and stays late to help clean up.
An ordinary friend gets upset when you call late.
A true friend asks why you weren't able to call earlier.
An ordinary friend likes to listen to your problems.
A true friend likes to help you solve them.
An ordinary friend behaves like a guest and waits to be
served when he or she visits.
A true friend goes to the fridge and serves himself.
An ordinary friend thinks your friendship is over after a
quarrel.
A true friend knows that friendships get stronger after a
quarrel.
An ordinary friend always expects you to be there to help out.
A true friend is always there to help you out.
A true friend?
Someone who sticks with you when everyone else abandons you.
..................................................................
"A friend is someone I can be sincere with, someone I can
think out loud to."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
..................................................................
While walking along a beach at dawn an old man saw a boy
picking starfish up off the sand and throwing them back into
the sea. He caught up to the boy and asked him what he was doing.
The boy replied that the starfish would die if left exposed
on the sand after sunrise.
"But this beach goes on for miles," the old man said.
"There must be thousands of starfish stranded on the sand.
What difference will it make to save just a few?"
The boy looked at the starfish he was holding in his hand,
then threw it onto the surf.
"Well, for THAT starfish it makes a big difference!"
(Minnesota Literacy Council)
Another contribution from my True Friend Christian Godefroy :o)
Have a Truly Great weekend!
Your True Friend,
Jacques
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The Blue Ribbon Story
A professor was in the habit of giving his students a little
gift at the end of the school year - a blue ribbon with the
words "Who I Am Makes A Difference®" printed in gold letters
on the ribbon.
As she gave each student their ribbon she explained why she had
appreciated teaching them, and why his course had been different
because that particular student had been present.
One day it occurred to her to see what effect this little
custom would have on the community. She gave each student 3
blue ribbons instead of one, and told each of them to give one
ribbon to someone they knew who, in their opinion "made a difference."
She also told them to give the 2 other ribbons to that same
person, with instructions to hand them out to others who had
made a difference. After that the students were to come back
and report what happened.
One student who had a part-time job gave his ribbon to his boss,
a grumpy fellow who nevertheless appreciated the honor.
"I admire everything you've done," the student said to his boss.
"I think you're a creative genius and a real fair guy. Will you
allow me to pin this blue ribbon on your jacket as a sign of
my appreciation?"
The boy's boss was surprised but also pleased. "Yeah, sure,
why not?" he said.
"And will you take these 2 other ribbons," the student continued,
"and give them to someone you think makes a difference, like I did
for you? It's for a project we're doing at school."
"All right," the boss replied.
That night the boss returned home wearing the blue ribbon
on his jacket. He greeted his 14 year old son and said,
"Something strange happened to me today. One of my employees
gave me this ribbon. See what's written on it? 'Because you
make a difference.' He gave me another ribbon just like it
and told me to give it to someone who's made a difference for me,
someone who is very special and means a lot to me."
"I had a pretty hard day, but on the way home I said to myself,
'There's only one person I want to give this ribbon to.' I know
I tell you off a lot because you don't work hard enough at school,
because all you think about is going out and having fun with your
friends, because your room's always a mess... But tonight I want
to tell you that you are very very important to me. You and your
mother make all the difference in my life, and I'd like you to
accept this blue ribbon as a sign of my love. I don't tell you
I love you very often, not nearly enough, I know. But I do love
you, and I think you're a wonderful kid!"
As soon as he stopped talking his son burst into tears. His
whole body shook with sobs. His father took him in his arms and
held him close, saying, "That's okay, it's all right. Did I say something wrong?"
"No Dad." his son replied, "It's just that... I decided I was
going to kill myself. I was going to do it tomorrow. I had it
all planned out. I wanted to kill myself because I was sure you
didn't like me, even though I tried hard to be good. Now that's
all changed..."
Courtesy: My Friend Christian Godefroy
gift at the end of the school year - a blue ribbon with the
words "Who I Am Makes A Difference®" printed in gold letters
on the ribbon.
As she gave each student their ribbon she explained why she had
appreciated teaching them, and why his course had been different
because that particular student had been present.
One day it occurred to her to see what effect this little
custom would have on the community. She gave each student 3
blue ribbons instead of one, and told each of them to give one
ribbon to someone they knew who, in their opinion "made a difference."
She also told them to give the 2 other ribbons to that same
person, with instructions to hand them out to others who had
made a difference. After that the students were to come back
and report what happened.
One student who had a part-time job gave his ribbon to his boss,
a grumpy fellow who nevertheless appreciated the honor.
"I admire everything you've done," the student said to his boss.
"I think you're a creative genius and a real fair guy. Will you
allow me to pin this blue ribbon on your jacket as a sign of
my appreciation?"
The boy's boss was surprised but also pleased. "Yeah, sure,
why not?" he said.
"And will you take these 2 other ribbons," the student continued,
"and give them to someone you think makes a difference, like I did
for you? It's for a project we're doing at school."
"All right," the boss replied.
That night the boss returned home wearing the blue ribbon
on his jacket. He greeted his 14 year old son and said,
"Something strange happened to me today. One of my employees
gave me this ribbon. See what's written on it? 'Because you
make a difference.' He gave me another ribbon just like it
and told me to give it to someone who's made a difference for me,
someone who is very special and means a lot to me."
"I had a pretty hard day, but on the way home I said to myself,
'There's only one person I want to give this ribbon to.' I know
I tell you off a lot because you don't work hard enough at school,
because all you think about is going out and having fun with your
friends, because your room's always a mess... But tonight I want
to tell you that you are very very important to me. You and your
mother make all the difference in my life, and I'd like you to
accept this blue ribbon as a sign of my love. I don't tell you
I love you very often, not nearly enough, I know. But I do love
you, and I think you're a wonderful kid!"
As soon as he stopped talking his son burst into tears. His
whole body shook with sobs. His father took him in his arms and
held him close, saying, "That's okay, it's all right. Did I say something wrong?"
"No Dad." his son replied, "It's just that... I decided I was
going to kill myself. I was going to do it tomorrow. I had it
all planned out. I wanted to kill myself because I was sure you
didn't like me, even though I tried hard to be good. Now that's
all changed..."
Courtesy: My Friend Christian Godefroy
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Salesman Story...
A salesman had a flat tire somewhere out in the countryside.
He opened his trunk and looked for his jack... but it wasn't
there.
"Hum, now what do I do," he thought.
Since he was stranded on a small country road on a hot summer
day, he doubted anyone would drive by to help. Seeing the
spire of a church in the distance, he decided to walk to the
nearest village and borrow a jack. It was a long way, and the
day was very hot. On the way he thought, "I hope someone in
that town has a jack they can lend me."
He walked some more, sweating profusely, and then thought,
"I know what the people around here are like. They don't take
kindly to strangers."
He walked a little further, thinking, "Since they don't
know me, I really don't thing anyone is going to lend me a jack."
And so he continued walking and imagining the worst possible
outcome to his predicament... No one in the town would be
willing to lend him a jack, people would be so suspicious
they'd even refuse to sell him one, and so on.
By the time he got to the village he was so upset he went
to the square in the middle of town and started shouting,
"All right, since that's the way you feel, you can keep your
damn jack!"
o 0 o
How often have you invented all kinds of seemingly
insurmountable obstacles and unfounded fears? Think about
it Christian, how many times have you not asked for something
because you were afraid to be refused?
Courtesy: Christian Godefroy :o)
He opened his trunk and looked for his jack... but it wasn't
there.
"Hum, now what do I do," he thought.
Since he was stranded on a small country road on a hot summer
day, he doubted anyone would drive by to help. Seeing the
spire of a church in the distance, he decided to walk to the
nearest village and borrow a jack. It was a long way, and the
day was very hot. On the way he thought, "I hope someone in
that town has a jack they can lend me."
He walked some more, sweating profusely, and then thought,
"I know what the people around here are like. They don't take
kindly to strangers."
He walked a little further, thinking, "Since they don't
know me, I really don't thing anyone is going to lend me a jack."
And so he continued walking and imagining the worst possible
outcome to his predicament... No one in the town would be
willing to lend him a jack, people would be so suspicious
they'd even refuse to sell him one, and so on.
By the time he got to the village he was so upset he went
to the square in the middle of town and started shouting,
"All right, since that's the way you feel, you can keep your
damn jack!"
o 0 o
How often have you invented all kinds of seemingly
insurmountable obstacles and unfounded fears? Think about
it Christian, how many times have you not asked for something
because you were afraid to be refused?
Courtesy: Christian Godefroy :o)
LITTLE THINGS DON't MEAN A LOT...
What is CRITICAL to understand is that your ultimate success, fulfillment and happiness will come from doing the little things that matter.
As entrepreneur and best-selling author Harvey Mackay said, “Little things don’t mean a lot. They mean everything.”
Here is a short list of 35 things you can do in less than 10 seconds that will make you a better person, enhance your self-image and improve the quality of your life.
1. Make it a point to say the words ”I love you” to the people in your home every single day.
2. Offer a friendly authentic smile- a great smile radiates warmth, puts people at ease and makes you likable.
3. Make comfortable eye contact- your eyes send messages; establishing and maintaining eye contact with people demonstrates confidence, respect, and genuine interest.
4. Use someone’s name – everyone likes to hear and see his or her name.
5. Acknowledge people- smile and say hi to the people around you.
6. Express your appreciation- say “thank you” to everyone who does something for you even if they are paid to do it.
7. Be unselfish and put others first- it could be as simple as holding the door open for someone.
8. Offer a word of encouragement- sometimes this is all a person needs to build confidence and take the next big step. This is big!
9. Accept responsibility when you are wrong- it’s the sign of a person with character.
10. Be friendly- it lifts the attitude of others and is the #1 factor in being likable.
11. Maintain a positive mental attitude- your attitude is a choice and that choice is 100% within your control.
12. Be kind and considerate- to people you know as well as strangers.
13. Be like a dog and be the first to greet people- it helps new people entering the room feel more comfortable and demonstrates your interest in them.
14. Offer people you meet a warm greeting- this will set the tone for the entire encounter.
15. Say "please"- make it a habit to use the word please EVERY TIME you ask someone to do something for you even if they are paid to do it.
16. Get up and walk into the other room to speak to someone, rather than yelling.
17. Put the toilet seat down.
18. Turn your head and cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.
19. Improve your body posture- poor posture is an indication of low self-esteem.
20. Say goodbye- make a good last impression.
21. Offer a proper handshake- a good, firm handshake demonstrates confidence and makes a good impression.
22. Give someone a hug- a hug is a sign that you really care for the other person.
23. Proof your email, text or post- this is an important component of portraying a professional online brand.
24. Click the LIKE button on someone’s Facebook post- it’s an easy way to demonstrate interest.
25. Turn off your phone in meetings- even though your phone may not make sounds, your eyes and attention will be diverted from the other people in attendance and your lack of attention demonstrates disrespect and disinterest.
26. Repeat your phone number twice when leaving a voicemail- speaking slowly and repeating your phone number will make you stand out and considerate.
27. When scheduling appointments use the other person’s time zone- this avoids misunderstandings or missed opportunities.
28. Speak with life and energy in your voice- no one likes to be around people who are “dead, dull and lifeless.”
29. Walk with a bounce in your step- it’s evidence of an energetic attitude that ultimately leads to success.
30. Turn off the notifications that are bugging those around you.
31. Write things down- it prevents you from forgetting things that are important.
32. Say something positive to others about another person- reverse gossip.
33. Congratulate your opponent- good sportsmanship is evidence of leadership and self-confidence.
34. Be proactive and introduce yourself to people whom you have never met.
35. Look for the good in others and tell them what you see- you have the ability to bring out the best in people, especially when they may not know it themselves.
As you can see, each of these tips is easy to do. They don’t require any formal education or financial investment. We can begin to incorporate them into our lives this very minute. All we need is to be conscious of them and be willing to take 10 seconds to do them.
-----
This is the middle of the 4th of July week: contribute to and upgrade America!
Your Friend,
Jacques
As entrepreneur and best-selling author Harvey Mackay said, “Little things don’t mean a lot. They mean everything.”
Here is a short list of 35 things you can do in less than 10 seconds that will make you a better person, enhance your self-image and improve the quality of your life.
1. Make it a point to say the words ”I love you” to the people in your home every single day.
2. Offer a friendly authentic smile- a great smile radiates warmth, puts people at ease and makes you likable.
3. Make comfortable eye contact- your eyes send messages; establishing and maintaining eye contact with people demonstrates confidence, respect, and genuine interest.
4. Use someone’s name – everyone likes to hear and see his or her name.
5. Acknowledge people- smile and say hi to the people around you.
6. Express your appreciation- say “thank you” to everyone who does something for you even if they are paid to do it.
7. Be unselfish and put others first- it could be as simple as holding the door open for someone.
8. Offer a word of encouragement- sometimes this is all a person needs to build confidence and take the next big step. This is big!
9. Accept responsibility when you are wrong- it’s the sign of a person with character.
10. Be friendly- it lifts the attitude of others and is the #1 factor in being likable.
11. Maintain a positive mental attitude- your attitude is a choice and that choice is 100% within your control.
12. Be kind and considerate- to people you know as well as strangers.
13. Be like a dog and be the first to greet people- it helps new people entering the room feel more comfortable and demonstrates your interest in them.
14. Offer people you meet a warm greeting- this will set the tone for the entire encounter.
15. Say "please"- make it a habit to use the word please EVERY TIME you ask someone to do something for you even if they are paid to do it.
16. Get up and walk into the other room to speak to someone, rather than yelling.
17. Put the toilet seat down.
18. Turn your head and cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.
19. Improve your body posture- poor posture is an indication of low self-esteem.
20. Say goodbye- make a good last impression.
21. Offer a proper handshake- a good, firm handshake demonstrates confidence and makes a good impression.
22. Give someone a hug- a hug is a sign that you really care for the other person.
23. Proof your email, text or post- this is an important component of portraying a professional online brand.
24. Click the LIKE button on someone’s Facebook post- it’s an easy way to demonstrate interest.
25. Turn off your phone in meetings- even though your phone may not make sounds, your eyes and attention will be diverted from the other people in attendance and your lack of attention demonstrates disrespect and disinterest.
26. Repeat your phone number twice when leaving a voicemail- speaking slowly and repeating your phone number will make you stand out and considerate.
27. When scheduling appointments use the other person’s time zone- this avoids misunderstandings or missed opportunities.
28. Speak with life and energy in your voice- no one likes to be around people who are “dead, dull and lifeless.”
29. Walk with a bounce in your step- it’s evidence of an energetic attitude that ultimately leads to success.
30. Turn off the notifications that are bugging those around you.
31. Write things down- it prevents you from forgetting things that are important.
32. Say something positive to others about another person- reverse gossip.
33. Congratulate your opponent- good sportsmanship is evidence of leadership and self-confidence.
34. Be proactive and introduce yourself to people whom you have never met.
35. Look for the good in others and tell them what you see- you have the ability to bring out the best in people, especially when they may not know it themselves.
As you can see, each of these tips is easy to do. They don’t require any formal education or financial investment. We can begin to incorporate them into our lives this very minute. All we need is to be conscious of them and be willing to take 10 seconds to do them.
-----
This is the middle of the 4th of July week: contribute to and upgrade America!
Your Friend,
Jacques
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