I did something amazing this week. 
Really, you are not going to believe it! 
Want to hear?  Of course you do!
I actually created extra time in my day! 
I know what you are saying; “Impossible!”
But really, I did!

Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about this but it is important.  We leave our homepages set to sites like Yahoo! or Hotmail for easy access to our email (a love/hate relationship for sure!).  However, have you ever noticed how much time you waste getting to the task at hand when you open up your internet browser?  I was guilty of this until just recently.  I found myself sitting down to read email or do research but getting distracted and lost in “cyber-space.”  Anywhere from 5-20 minutes later I would wonder what I was doing, how I got so distracted, and regret wasting the precious time!  I was clicking on the news headlines that pop up on Yahoo!’s homepage.  While I do believe staying up with current events is important, it really was taking up the crucial quiet time I have during the evenings.  If you have Yahoo! set as your homepage, you are required to click on two different links before you get to your email.  Both pages have catchy news titles scattered with intriguing pictures to get your attention… and, it works!  Suddenly you are lost in the Chaos of the internet!
Simple solution: CHANGE YOUR HOMEPAGE!  I now have my homepage set as my electronic to-do list.  However, it would be just as effective to use the actual page that my email shows up on.  I can say with certainty that I am using my coveted quiet time far more productively.  And, I gave myself more time in the day!
So, I thought I would ask… What is your homepage?  Is it distracting you?  Is there a site/page that would help you use your time more productively?  Try it.  There really is no magic involved.  I promise!

We have talked about prioritizing many times on this blog.   At times it may seem to many of us that making priorities is a great theory but an almost unattainable reality.  Even for those who seem to be pros at accomplishing things in a timely and efficient manor, it really can be difficult to get all that we want to do completed.  It is important for all of us to learn that what we want, and need, to get done is sometimes drastically different from what we are able to do at any given time. 
It is necessary for us to be realistic with what we can actually accomplish for several reasons.  First, it will eliminate the guilt you feel if you plan to do something and are unable to follow though.  Second, completing the things you set out to do, in the time frame you expected, boosts your confidence and keeps you energized. 
So, how can we create realistic priorities?  The first step is to determine how much you are capable of each day.  Your level of productivity changes daily and depends on many factors.  You will be more productive some days than you are others. A sick child, a friend in need, or a death in the family are some of many issues that can cause stress in our lives.  It is important to remember that these things need “space” in our days, but do not need to take them over. 
Second, to create priorities, we must first know what needs to get done.  This can work on a broad list of tasks or a to-do list for the week.  To establish priorities, start with a blank sheet of notebook paper.  Draw a line down the middle then label one column as “Need” and the other column as “Want.”  Take your To-Do list and separate it into these columns.  You may be surprised to see what actually goes into the “needs to get done” column.
One client was recently surprised that “Work” went into her “want” column.  Most people need to work because they have bills to pay.  However, while this woman is fantastic at what she does and loves to work, she does not need to because her husband makes enough to support them comfortably.  In her “Need” column “care for mom” and “prepare for move” were at the top of her list.  After taking a realistic look at what she needed to do, taking a short break from work was not a difficult decision.  And, it opened up time for her to accomplish the things she needed to do without feeling guilty about letting someone down. 
If you are feeling stressed about all the things on your to-do list, try separating it into a Need/Want list.  While something as big as work probably won’t make it onto most of our lists, you may find that the dry cleaning can really wait to be dropped off until next week when you have more time. 
Let me know how making your list goes on Facebook.  Did it change the way you are doing things? 

I have a love/hate relationship with email.  While I believe it allows us to be more efficient in many ways, I truly believe it creates more work.  Let me elaborate.

I get over 30 emails a day.  Of those, there are always ones that are immediately deleted (offers I am uninterested in, newsletters that don’t have catchy enough titles to captivate my attention, the Pottery Barn “flyer” so I don’t have the desire to buy something).  After weeding thru my email, I am usually left with 10-20 that actually need to be read and responded to; this takes up a lot of time! 

With the invention of email we spend less time on the phone and out tracking people down to get things done which is great.  What isn’t great is the immediacy that email creates (especially with Blackberry’s and iPhones). Most people check their email several times a day.  With this knowledge is almost seems expected that a “timely response” means within the day.  This is how I believe email creates more work. 

My new solution…. I designate time each day as email response time.  By allotting a specified time for responding to all of the day’s emails I find myself less interested in checking my email throughout the day. It’s amazing how less distracted my day is now.  And, I do believe 24 hours is well within the appropriate amount of time to make someone wait for a response. 

How about you?  Do you spend too much time checking and responding to email? Let us know on Facebook how you control the amount of time you spend managing it!

We talk about losing inspiration.  But, when it has been lost, is it possible to find inspiration?  Is it something we can go out looking for; maybe around the corner at the local deli?  Or, is inspiration something that sneaks up on us; ebbs and flows through our days?

In my experience, most inspired moments happen by chance.  Inspiration is not found, it just happens.  Yet, we are all guilty of trying to find inspiration.  Often, when we are looking so intently for something, we look right past it.  I’m not saying, “Stop looking.”  I’m just saying that sometimes you have to be willing to allow time and space for inspiration to find you!

What?  You are having trouble staying motivated?  Well, my friend, I promise you are not the only one!  This is around the time people will begin to forget about their New Year’s resolutions and slowly go back to doing what feels comfortable.  Here are a few things to remember that might help keep you motivated and working toward your goals.

Most things in life are a process not a single event.
Often we want things to happen “now;” we want to see results to feel like we are accomplishing something.  Whether you goal is to be more organized or you are trying to be more healthy this year, it will not happen over night.  Try to find motivation in the small things you accomplish each day. 
If your goal is to run a marathon, you aren’t going to go out tomorrow and run all 26 miles.  You will make small goals like running 4 miles without stopping, then 10 miles.  Eventually you will make the 26 miles!  Likewise, if your goal is to keep your closet clean, start with keeping your shoes in order.  When that becomes habit, make your new goal keeping your clothes hung up/folded.  Your closet will be clean before you know it.

“Nothing great has been and Nothing great can be accomplished without passion” - G.W.F. Hegel
I have found that when people enjoy what they are doing they are more likely to keep doing it.  Therefore, if you want to stay motivated, you have to find a way to make what you are doing fun and rewarding. 
If your goal is to be more organized and you have a habit of leaving your keys in a different place every time you return home, pat yourself on the back and make a big deal out of commending yourself when you actually put them in the bowl or on the hook where they belong.  For those of you that are trying to be healthier this year but are not enjoying exercising, you have to find a way to make it fun!  Get some of your favorite music loaded onto an iPod, find a friend to exercise with, or join a class that keeps you motivated.  The more fun you have, the more likely you will stay on track with your goals!

Download the Simplify App to help you track and accomplish your goals!
If you don’t already have it, you need to check out the Simplify app at the Apple store.  Simplify was created by Harmony at Last to help you stay motivated and accomplish your goals.  With daily quotes for motivation and a goal tracker, you have a partner right at your fingertips.

What are your goals for this year?  More importantly, how are you staying motivated?  Let us know on Facebook!

Named for the outrageous profit margins retailers experience during this 24 hour period, the Friday after Thanksgiving is commonly referred to as “Black Friday.” However, with the economy in its current state, it is more important then ever that we realize that Black Friday for the Retailers actually means Red Friday for the consumer.  The term actually stems from the old accounting practice of using Red ink for debts and Black ink for profits.

For those of you planning to brave the crowds (more then 147 million last year), here are a few things to keep in mind while hunting for those once in a lifetime sales and impossible to pass up deals. 

First, have a plan.  If your purpose for shopping is to complete your holiday gift list, make sure you actually make a list, and bring it with you!  Stores make a considerable amount of money on impulse buying.  By making a list of the people you need to buy gifts for and what you plan to buy them, you can combat the urge to splurge and still get the gifts you need without sliding into the Red.  If you are unsure of what you want to get someone come, up with an appropriate amount that you would be willing and able to spend and write it next to their name on your list.

Second, make a budget.  It is easy for shoppers to get carried away in the moment.  After all isn’t that what the entire day is built around?  Some of us may already have our holiday list complete so Friday will be more for the thrill of the hunt.  Regardless of who you are buying for, having a budget can keep you calm while the world around you is whirling with “last chance deals.”  The key to a budget however, is to keep track of your purchases.  If you buy mom the video camera she asked for make sure you write down how much it cost you next to her name (on your gift list).  No matter who you are buying for, you should keep a notebook handy to tally your receipt totals as you go.  This will keep you aware of what you have spent and how much of your budgeted money you have left while a also keeping your bank account in the black.

Third, make sure to ask yourself one very important question before each purchase.  “Do I need this?”  If there is a chance that you are buying something for the thrill of the sale instead of the quality of the item or the fact that you actually need it, rethink your purchase!  Don’t let yourself get so caught up in the moment that you start to impulse buy.  Asking whether you really need something will prevent you from purchasing items you do not need.

Fourth, do your research.  How will you know if 30% off of that IPod is a good deal if you haven’t looked at what it goes for normally?  If you have made a list, you should have some things in mind.  Spending a little time researching the things you want to buy can save you a lot of money.  Many stores provide prices for items on their websites so there is little effort needed to do a little research.  For instance, if I wanted to get my sister a new camera, I would check its price at Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-mart, and Amazon.  If I’m prepared with a list of comparable prices I am less likely to spend more then I have to in the stores.  To aid in the researching process there are many websites dedicated to helping consumers find good deals.  To preview the sales, try visiting www.bfads.net or www.blackfriday.gottadeal.com

If you can’t find the perfect gift on Friday, stay calm there are more sales.  Many stores extend their sales throughout the weekend to maximize their profits.  And, if you are not one of the 147+ million people who will be hitting the stores on Monday, you can still take part in the savings.  Many retailers cut prices on their products thru their online the Monday after Thanksgiving.  To take advantage of these deals go to www.cybermonday.com or www.bestcyermondaysales.com.

So, cut your coupons, create your itinerary, and fill out your budget.  This year black Friday will happen as it always does for the retailers.  However, this year make sure it doesn’t become “Red Friday” for you.

With Thanksgiving almost here and Christmas looming, I find myself thinking; “I thought I was busy in October!”  With this on my mind, I would like to share an excerpt from Robert Fulghum’s book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”  I hope it will serve to remind us that no one person is perfect!

“The man next door cleaned his gutters yesterday.  Downspouts too.  He’s done it before.  I saw him last year.  Amazing.  I was forty years old before I even knew that people cleaned gutters and downspouts.  And I haven’t been able to get around to doing it once yet. 
“I live in awe of people who get those jobs done.  The people who live orderly lives.  The ones who always do what needs to be done and do it right.  I know of people who actually balance their checkbooks each month.  I know that’s hardly credible, but I swear it’s so.
“These people also have filing cabinets (not shoe boxes) with neat, up-to-date, relevant files.  They can find things around the house when they need them.  There is order under their sinks, in their closets, and in the trunks of their cars.  They actually change the filter on their furnace once a year.  They put oil and grease on mechanical things.  Their warranties runneth not out.  Not only do their flashlights work, they actually know where the flashlights are!
“When their car was last serviced-they know that too.  The tools in their garage are on the pegboard-right where they are supposed to be.  Their taxes are based on facts, not hunches and prayer.  When they go to sleep at night, their list of Things to Do has a line through every item.  And when they arise in the morning, their bathrobe is right there beside the bed and it is clean and new.  Socks-right there in the drawer, folded into matching pairs.  Yes!  And as they prepare to walk out the door into a new day, they know exactly where their car keys are and are not worried about the state of the car battery or if there is enough gas to get to work.
“There are such people.  Ones who have it all together.  Exmpt from the reign of Chaos and the laws of entropy.  I see them every day all around me.  Calm and easy pillars of society.  They are the people in your high school yearbook you wanted to be.  The ones who made it.
“Well.  I am not one of them.  Out of the frying pan, into the spilt milk is more me.  Most of the time daily life is a lot like an endless chore of chasing chickens in a large pen.  Life is an air-raid drill.  Never mind the details.” -Robert Fulghum

I, for one, would like to meet a person who’s list of Things to Do has a line through every item when they go to bed!  Are you more like Mr. Fulghum, or the fictional super hero he describes? My guess is most of us fall somewhere in between the two. Instead of “never mind the details;” remind yourself during this busy time to “never mind the unimportant details.”  Prioritizing is always the key!

A friend’s husband just took 3 weeks off work.  She works from home so this quite dramatically upset her daily routine.  She felt like she was missing out or guilty if she wasn’t taking advantage of the opportunity to spend as much time as possible with him, but she desperately needed her alone time to get things done.  Not just work things, but grocery shopping, cleaning, and her “me time” are things she is used to doing throughout the week when he is at work. 

At the end of week one she was feeling frustrated.  By the end of week two she was happy to let him go golfing or fishing alone.  She realized that needing her alone time to get things done was OK because he needed his alone time also.  Surprisingly enough, he appreciated that she wanted to go with him fishing and golfing but looked at it as his time to relax. By the end of week three she had learned how to manage getting things done while he was out enjoying his time off and they spent a considerable amount of time doing things together.  Now, she’s not sure she wants him to go back to work. 

We all need alone time.  Whether it’s to sit and read a book or, like my friend, to get all your ”to-do’s” completed, alone time is important to keeping a balance in your life.  So, what about you… do you get enough alone time? 

Randy Pausch in his book The Last Lecture wrote that everyone should be asking themselves this question.  “Are you spending your time on the right things?”  We sometimes get wrapped up in things that seem important but if we took a step back we might realize that our time would be better spent doing something else.  As Mr. Pausch says in his book, “It doesn’t matter how well you polish the underside of the banister.”  I hope you focused on the right things today.

Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.- Henry David Thoreau
With Thoreau’s words in mind Julie Cubino and Kevin Grosselfinger, owners of Harmony At Last, set about designing an application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The goal was to help people free themselves from being overworked, overburdened, and overtired and find energy, enthusiasm, and ease instead. We are excited to announce that this application finally launched!

The application has two main features.The first is inspiration and motivation in the areas of: productivity, time management, work/life balance, space organizing, success principles, and simplifying life. The second is the ability to define your personal “Simplify” goals and track progress along the way.

Simplify can be found on the Apple iTunes Store now for only 99¢. It’s in the lifestyle section. You’ll need either an iPhone or iPod touch to make use of the program. (Please note that the link found in this announcement requires that you have the itunes software installed on your computer.)

We’d like to extend special thanks to fellow WBON member, Michelle Hobbs, owner of Blue Sky Creative for the design of the amazing graphics used in this application.