on Life and Livingness – by Tom

While the following may help you get more done in a day, it may not. It may be that you are already getting as much done in a day as you can. It may be that these tips will take you, not to the next level in productivity, but to the next level in effectiveness.

First thing to recognise is that time is similar to economics. The sample basic law applies. In economics that basic law is that there are always more things on which to spend your money than you have money to spend. The law with time is that there are always more things to do than you have time to do them.

While we each only have 24 hours in a day, some productive individuals seem to get far more done than the rest of us. Why is it so?

Even lying in bed after I first wake up, if I start to think about the things I want to get done in a day I cannot stay in bed. So having something worthwhile you want to accomplish is one of the keys to productivity.

I find lists help. Making a note of everything that you want to get done means nothing gets forgotten. Most importantly it gives you something to prioritise.

Take your list and set priorities. I flag each item on my to-do list as a V, D or T.
V for Vital – has to be done no matter what.
D for Desirable – really want to get it done.
T is for Trivial – nice but not important.

If you then apply self-discipline to do first the items that are vital then do the desirable ones you may never get to your trivials but you will have accomplished what were to you the most important things to do.

The next step up is in effectiveness – conceiving of and listing as things to do those things that will make the biggest difference in speed of progress in attaining your goals.

Of course completing those things you start is a great boon to productivity. You don’t waste the mental energy keeping track of your incompletes and you don’t waste the time necessary to reorient yourself whenever you return to a task that was partially completed.

List the characteristics you want in your ideal partner. Write then down. To use a very old concept, how does a girl know she has found her Mr. Right if she does not know what Mr. Right looks like?

After that it is a sifting game. Simply, the larger the pool of people with whom you associate, the better your chances of finding someone with whom you will be happy.

While there is a definite and unmistakeable chemistry or fire that can exist between two people, having a partner whom you genuinely like and admire is a great place to start. Helluva lot better than living alone and great fires can be fanned from smouldering embers.

Look for those with whom you enjoy spending time, those whose company you enjoy, the individuals you would rather spend time with above others. If nobody fits that category then either you do not mingle with a large enough group of people or you do not mix with the right sort of people or maybe you need to become a more likeable person yourself!

If you do not mix with a large enough group or enough of the right sort, you need to expand your circle of contacts. If you are shy, this can be daunting but it’s a simple enough thing to build your courage. Just think that the worst anyone could do is take a chain saw to you and cop off your head and anything less than that you’re in positive territory.

If you are not a likeable person yourself, start doing good things to and for others. Rebuild your self-respect. You will like yourself, and others, more and more.

Firstly, define what being a success is for you as you see it at present.

You might need to define success in several areas as we don’t live a one-track life. Personal, emotional, physical, family, relationships, work, financial, social, political, environmental, spiritual etc. What would be your definition of success in each of these areas?

You can’t hit a target unless it’s in your sights. Write down, in detail, what success currently means to you in each area. These are your goals.

To help you identify your goals, focus on your strengths and likes. Look at the things at which you excel or about which you are passionate. It is said that if you earn your living at something you enjoy doing, you will never work a day in your life.

Now you have set goals to reach, you need to work out how to get there. You may have heard the old saying, “Set your goals in concrete and your plans in sand.”

Planning can be split into strategic and tactical. Strategic planning is the broad brush-stroke, high level, general type that is fleshed out by low-level, detailed tactical planning. The combination is a roadmap that defines the steps to the attainment of your goal. Just as on a road trip, there may be a need to alter the particular road you take if a bridge is out, tactical planning needs to be flexible.

Got on over to this site and have a listen: http://www.myspace.com/mattdent

No, it’s beyond brilliant, it’s life changing. Take 5 minutes to watch this and change your child’s future. http://www.wimp.com/richardfeynman/

Brian Koz recently made a quick survey that he’s asking internet marketers or those interested in becoming an internet marketer to fill out. It’s a quick survey that only takes about 5 minutes or so, but he’s also giving away a free video on some Secret Traffic Generation tactics of his that has never been released anywhere else, as well as giving you the chance to also win a free iPad, HD FlipMino Camera, and one of several cash prizes.

The survey results will help him and others better serve you (including asking questions on internet marketing topics we like, what kind of free content or webinars we want, etc.), but you’ll always walk away with the cool free video and potentially some great free prizes from his contest!

Check it out: Win Prizes and Get Free Stuff Taking This Internet Marketing Survey

Time lapse photos of loading and mounting shuttle to launcher, then moving to launch site and start of launch. Hundreds of frames shot over six weeks with a Canon EOS 5D DSLR. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KZrFC988Thc

Wind turbines will never have the capacity to replace constantly available enegry sources due to the fluctuating wind speed. http://www.cecaust.com.au/

Never, ever worry about something for longer than it actually takes to do it.

“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the ‘present’.”

Net generation becoming chronically distracted. Carr has a suggestion for those who feel web surfing has left them incapable of concentration — slow down, turn off the Internet and practice the skills of contemplation, introspection and reflection. http://www.itnews.com.au/News/214145,book-asks-is-internet-ruining-our-minds.aspx

It will be nice when it is more advanced. I typed 6 queries and did not get a single useful answer. I would still like to know the nutritional analysis for freeze dried Acai berry powder, nopal powder, mesquite, maca powder and a few other ingredients I put in my food bars. Oh well. Even nutrition data specific sites don’t know so I can’t expect Wolfram Alpha to return results if they are not available on the ‘net. http://www.wolframalpha.com/screencast/introducingwolframalpha.html

Sri Lankans survived horrific crimes and utter devastation during a brutal 26-year war. Today, a year after the conflict ended, there is little hope for justice. http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=14310&ICID=E1005A01&tr=y&auid=6390243

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” — John Wooden, basketball coach

Pics of 40 of the most creative business cards I have seen. http://creativenerds.co.uk/inspiration/40-most-creative-business-cards-you-will-ever-see/