This was forwarded to me today and I know you’ll love it, so wanted to share. Lack of time, feeling of overwhelmed and scattered are many issues my clients deal with.  Even though you may have a lot on their plate at times - this little reminder can help you find some balance.

Own Your Power!

Simone

’7 Ruinous Habits’ steal time, efficiency from day
By Ruth Wong
Habits — we all have them. Are yours friends or foes?

On Dr. Oz’s morning television show in January, he shared his “7 Deadly Sins” — things that take years off our lives without us even knowing it. Here are seven deadly sins he calls “Deadly Habits”:

1. Not stretching in the morning
2. Not eating breakfast
3. Running late
4. Mindless eating
5. Becoming a couch potato
6. Disconnecting from people
7. Not having a bedtime

As a takeoff from Dr. Oz’s “habits,” here are mine, which I call “7 Ruinous Habits” — things that steal our time, order and efficiency and can ruin a perfectly good day without us even knowing it:

1. Enduring morning madness. Are mornings at your house a frenzied flurry? Is it a daily battle getting the children ready to go off to school or just getting yourself out the door in time? My younger son was very disorganized as a child. Every morning when he should have been in the garage waiting for his car-pool ride, he’d be searching and yelling, “Mom, have you seen my backpack?”

When I replied that I hadn’t and that his mornings would be so much smoother if he’d prepare the night before, his answer was, “I like it this way. It adds excitement to my life!” That may be so, but going off to school without your backpack or homework can ruin your day.

» Alternate habit: Before going to bed at night, get ready for tomorrow. That means having clothes picked out, backpacks and things to take ready to go, lunches made, and breakfast planned and partially prepared.

2. Jumping into the day. Many people start their day without a plan or purpose. They get things done, but in a hit-or-miss fashion, or they end up reacting to the demands of others.

» Alternate habit: Take a few minutes to get yourself organized. Know what you need to do and when you will do it. Your daily action plan will guide you through the day.

3. Losing track of time. Allowing simple tasks to take longer than warranted or letting interruptions and chitchat go on longer than necessary can seriously erode your time.

» Alternate habit: Stay on purpose and on schedule by referring often to your daily action plan. Be aware when things take longer than they should.

4. Running out of time. Ending the day with important things unfinished happens to just about everyone.

» Alternate habit: If something is important, do it first. As organizer Marcia Ramsland says, “You always ….READ FULL STORY HERE!