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It's About Time
Ruth Wong
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Organization brings a year of progress
Final progress check for the year. If getting better organized is your goal, are you in a more organized place now than at the beginning of the year?
As we conclude the recap of this year's columns, let's check your progress.
1. In September I noted that it's too easy to allow less important things to consume our time.
I encouraged you to identify the few non-negotiable priorities in your life -- those few fruit-bearing trees (truly meaningful and rewarding pursuits and people) -- and tend to those daily.
By doing so, have you begun to yield a harvest of good fruit and rich relationships?
2. I also shared that having too much can prevent us from living freely and well.
Philosopher Bertrand Russell once said that it is possessions more than anything else that keep people from living nobly and freely. Have you begun to divest yourself of that which prevents you from living nobly and freely? Isn't it good to be liberated from the prison of possessions?
3. In October I asked if you had your "T-Time" (THINK Time) today.
Too many seem to feel they have so much to do that they don't have time to think things through.
They rush into the day's activity and end up largely reacting to events instead of being proactive.
Have you been taking a "T-Time" each day? If so, I hope you agree with Norman Cousins, who said that time given to thought is the greatest time saver of all.
4. I also encouraged you to enjoy "the most wonderful time of the year" by beginning yuletide planning on Halloween instead of the usual Thanksgiving.
By doing so, did you get a head start on the holidays? Now that Christmas has passed, your answer should be obvious: If you didn't begin early enough, you're still feeling the stress and strain. If you did, I hope you're discovering anew the joys of "the most wonderful time of the year."
5. In November, with all the season's buying temptations, I encouraged you to give yourself the gift of contentment regarding material possessions.
Are you limiting the inflow of goods and more fully using and enjoying what you already have? Congratulations, for you've also taken a giant step toward simplifying life!
I hope that as 2007 comes to a close, you can look back and feel a sense of accomplishment. If not, there's always next year!
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.