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It's About Time
Ruth Wong
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2007 recap: Changing life for the better
Progress and change require action. As we continue to recap ideas from this year's columns, let's see how many you've taken action on.
Embracing Changes
1. In May I asked the question, "How much do we really need to live?"
If you're among those who have enough for two or three families, have you begun to pare down your possessions to a reasonable amount? Have you realized that what we really need to live is far less than what we have?
2. I also shared my neighbor's near-death experience, which caused her to not take life for granted and realize that people, not things, are what's important in life. Are you relishing each day, enjoying meaningful moments, developing quality relationships and affecting other lives for good?
3. In June I encouraged those who, like me, have made false starts at lasting change, by finding an action partner with whom to work on self or home improvement. Doing so reinforces behavior.
By following through, have you been better able to "stick with the program"? Have you seen that change is possible?
4. For those fighting the battle of the bulging closet, I shared tips from "Simple Isn't Easy," by Goldsmith and Collins.
Have you been refining your wardrobe so that opening your closet door is like going to a really good party where everyone you see is someone you like?
5. July's first column had more tips to simplify your wardrobe.
Have you identified what looks best on you? Are you buying less? Do you shop with a purpose and reject random bargains? Have you stopped saving things "for good" but wear and enjoy them now?
6. I also encouraged you to "monkey see, monkey do" and act to remedy an obvious problem or inefficiency. Many fixes are minitasks.
Have you been problem-solving so that life and work flow more smoothly?
7. In August I shared tips from an "Oprah" show that showed people living comfortably and clutter-free in small spaces. How different that is from many of us who feel that too much stuff is not enough!
Have you pared down and realized that less can be enough?
8. I also encouraged you to apply the 80/20 Rule to your busyness by identifying the core (20 percent) of activities which bring the majority of enjoyment and satisfaction.
Are you doing less of things that don't matter and more of those things that do?
See you in two weeks!
Ruth Wong owns Organization Plus. Contact her care of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813, call 488-0288 or e-mail
orgplushawaii@hawaiiantel.net.