Recap annual to-do list

This column completes the recap of this year's columns. Check off those that you've acted on.

1. In September I encouraged you to be prepared for a hurricane or disaster and posed questions to think about being prepared before disaster strikes. Questions such as: In case electricity, gas, and/or water were unavailable, how would you cook? Bathe? Launder? Flush the toilet? Communicate? Power your laptop computer? Fill your car with gas?

Have you given thought and preparation to personal and household survival? Do you have a hurricane survival kit? There's a real peace of mind that comes from forethought and readiness.

2. I also suggested that you and your family have a hurricane drill and "rough it" by trying to get along without electricity and tap water for a day. Did you? How did you manage?

3. In October I encouraged you to define what being organized means to you -- what it IS and what it is NOT. For example, "Being organized is being able to find what I need when I need it and not wasting time looking for things."

Did you take a few minutes to write out at least five things that being organized IS and is NOT for you?

4. I also encouraged you to identify those things that you know you should be doing but aren't by asking yourself, "Why don't I?" -- and then, by identifying the reason you aren't, working on them one by one. How many "Why don't I's" have you turned into "I am doing!"?

5. In November I encouraged you to increase your Gratitude Quotient by being thankful for even the everyday, ordinary conveniences and blessings that we enjoy. Have you increased your gratitude quotient? Has it increased appreciation of your time and life?

How many action steps did you take? Are you satisfied with your progress? Are you more organized this year than last?

Do take a few minutes this next week to wrap up the old (recap what you did and did not accomplish) and gear up for the new (clarify what your desired outcome is -- how you want your home and life to be).

I wish you a tranquil holiday season and a happy, healthy and well-organized New Year!

See you in three weeks!