Overcoming Procrastination

Time after time, I am on different internet forums, and I end up communicating with people who want to start a blog or website and are, “going to get started soon”, “are thinking about it”, or “still going over my options”, and so on. While a bit of planning and research will serve you well when starting any project, oftentimes, months later, these same people are “still thinking about it”.

While there are many reasons that may stop someone from even starting a project they have in mind, fear being the most obvious, the idea of perfectionism seems to be a strong runner up. Yet the only way to overcome these fears and stop procrastination, is to start doing.

How To Stop Procrastination

Stop Thinking About Doing It.
There is a proverb, “Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.”
There is no such thing as the perfect plan. In fact, you can spend so much time being concerned about getting everything right and perfect that it wears your initial enthusiasm down. The end result being is that time passes and so does the perfect moment.
Yes, you should want to be reaching for excellence, but who starts out with being excellent?
Excellence will only come from trial and error.

Just Make a Decision And Start Following Through

Forget trying to be a perfectionist. In its pathological form, perfectionism is an unhealthy belief. It stems from the notion that, “anything I do that is less than perfect is not worth doing”. This way of thinking leads to one becoming paralyzed and then immobilized from from even starting your project.
And so you end up:

* never launching that website or blog because you just can’t find the perfect template.
* spending way too much time tweaking your design because you want it to be perfect, while neglecting your content, which to the search engines, is far more important.
* never posting that article, because it’s not yet perfect.
* never going forth with that money making idea because….

I think that you get the idea.

To start overcoming procrastination, just start with something that is good enough, and then keep working to improve on it. Don’t just tweak ideas. Make a basic plan, take action, and then start tweaking and improving the actual results

When I started my first blog, my site rankings were in the millions, within six months, with a bit of dedication, I was in the top 100,000 and now its under 50,000 and still going up.

Just Take The First Step
Getting started on a project is not a life and death decision. If you want to stop procrastination, let go of the fear, stop thinking and start doing, and forget starting out with, “its got to be perfect”

I’ll leave you with the words of an actual doer, who was not a perfect person, and all his decisions were not perfect. Yet he is an example to be followed today.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Be Fearless
Billy Ojai

By: Billy Ojai

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Would You Like Some Great MRR and or PLR Products for Your Internet Marketing Projects? Visit: billyojai.com. Need to learn better copywriting techniques? Pick up a free copy of ‘Copywriting For The Web’at: billyojai.com

The plan to get your kids to be more creative this summer is really simple. Let them be bored. Yes, I said bored — really bored and I promise it will be ok. It is truly the best way to be creative; discover who you are; and most importantly, decide what you want to do with your life. So many kids are over-scheduled, stressed-out and just plain tired. How can they be creative when everything is planned out for them every minute of the day?

When I was a kid, my mom sent me outside everyday after homework and I didn’t come home until just before dark. My neighborhood friends were out there too, so together we explored, laughed, created and learned in our backyards.

We created all kinds of adventures. I remember once designing an entire circus after finding five foot wooden wire cable wheels left in the trash. It was so much fun! We even did a show for our school because all the kids were talking about it. I have to admit we did get bored in our backyard sometimes, but not for long because that’s the point: nobody stays bored because we can’t stand it, then we creatively come up with something to do or make.

I was reminded of this subject last night because by teenage son was giving me a hard time because I do not let my kids watch tv on school nights. I didn’t give in. It would have been easier, but he did come up with something. When I was watering my garden this morning, I found wires coming out of his bedroom window attached to a contraption made out of recycled soda bottles taped to a jar with water in it. I am not sure what it is. I hope it is some sort of antenna.

I’m not looking for any of my children to be artists, I just want them to be able to creatively find a solution to any problem that crosses their path and to know their ideas count.

Let me know what you invent on your next adventure…

By: Nancy Martini

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Nancy Martini Eco Artist working with reclaimed materials. Currently working on a collection of art pieces called: Lessons From the Dinner Table. The Collection will be completed November 2009. Be part of my exhibit! Send photo of yourself, your family and friends around your dinning room table to photobucket.com/artexhibit and be as creative as you want. See studio and art process on Twitter.com/ecoArtist

Do you wish you were more creative but don’t know where to start? Many of us wish we were more creative in our lives. How can we become more creative if we think we have lost the spark?

For one person, being more creative may mean they wish they could become a painter, musician, writer, dancer or some other sort of performing artist.

However, this is not a practical life style for everyone. Not everyone is going to find it realistic to embrace a life that is totally creative and artistic to the core.

Some people would be satisfied to simply have more creative ideas, to have a fresh outlook on their lives.

Here are a few ways in which you can invite more creativity into your life.

If you truly want to be more creative, commit yourself to becoming a creative person. Every time you notice that you have come up with a creative idea, no matter how small or unimportant it may seem, reward yourself. Give yourself internal praise. Say congratulations to yourself for that creative idea!

Make a point of attending plays, concerts and art galleries. Don’t just mentally criticize what you are looking at. Let your mind feel that you can understand what the artist is trying to express. Let yourself feel it emotionally. You may be able to soak up some of the artist’s intention in this way.

Even if you feel as if you don’t understand the work at all, pretend for a few moments that you do understand it. Pretend that you actually are the artist. This exercise will give your mind permission to recapture some of your youthful ability to imagine much more creatively than you do now.

Take a class in some creative or artistic field that has always interested you. Don’t worry about whether or not you have any talent. At the early stages, you simply need to give yourself permission to explore, and fail if you have to. Failure can be good. Failure can lead to eventual success.

Any time you notice that you have had the tiniest creative idea, write it down. Explore it. Give yourself credit for having a creative idea. Don’t worry at this early stage whether or not the idea is good or bad. Simply practice exploring it and developing it. What separates those who are very creative from those who are not is that the creative people are committed to developing every aspect of their creativity.

Stop being a critic. Critics perform a very useful and valid service for society, but a critical attitude can be the kiss of death to someone who wants to improve their creativity. Don’t criticize others, and especially don’t criticize any one else’s attempts to be creative.

Creativity is a mindset, a way of approaching the world with novelty and excitement. You need permission to be playful, to be unique, to honor your own perspective on what you are experiencing.

By: Royane Real

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This article was written by Royane Real, author of the popular ebook “How You Can Be Smarter – Use Your Brain to Learn Faster, Remember Better and Be More Creative” Learn more ways to stimulate your brain creatively. Download it today at www.lulu.com/real

Sometimes I think a lot of our problems are caused by our own actions, especially when it comes to overload.

Do you find that when not much is happening and you don’t have a lot to do you slow down? You really don’t get as much accomplished and find yourself wasting time. Maybe you make the decision that you have been so busy that now you can rest or take a break for a while. Or maybe your sense of urgency is on strike! These type of situations happen to me a lot. I find myself regretting that I didn’t use that block of time more constructively.

This is why it is good to pace yourself. Don’t wait until a bunch of tasks or projects piles up. Keep a running list of all the tasks/projects that are your responsibility. By implementing the following steps, you’ll be able to remain focused and achieve your goals:

1. Have your goals written down.

2. Write an action plan to acheive each of your goals.

3. Schedule your action steps into your calendar .

4. Always try to do your action steps at the beginning of the day. This way it is not only out of the way, but many times activity begets more activity and before you know it your day has been full rather than wasted.

By: MariaPesin

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Maria Pesin has launched and built three successful companies with sales exceeding $20 million. Currently the President of a major celebrity fashion brand, she has succeeded in building a career spanning 25 years that has brought her success, recognition, fulfillment, and financial independence.

As though getting financial aid wasn’t hard enough, the economic recession has made it even more difficult to get financial aid for college. All across the country, colleges and universities are experiencing financial burdens that have caused them to cut back on financial aid. Considering that the economic crisis is causing more students to seek financial aid, an increasing number of students are being forced to seek other ways of dealing with rising cost of tuition, like choosing cheaper schools or working two jobs while studying. Fortunately, students can still get a good financial aid program during these tough economic times. Read on to find out how.

Step 1 – Assess your situation

Before you even consider getting financial aid, you should do a thorough assessment of your financial, academic, and life situation. Do you have savings that you can use to pay part of your tuition? Are your parents willing to shoulder some of the costs? Which colleges or universities do you plan on applying to? Do these schools have any financial aid programs? Do you have the time, discipline, and energy to work while studying? How much will the tuition cost? Where do you plan on living while you study? It’s essential to know the answers to all of these questions so that you have a clear picture of your situation, the options that are available to you, and how to plan the financing of your education.

Step 2 – Consider all of the possible financial aid options

The next step is to consider all of the possible financial aid options available to you. At first sight, it may not seem like it, but there are literally dozens of financial aid options available to you. From federal aid and school-sponsored programs to private lenders and commercial banks, you can find a number of financial aid programs that aim to help students in need just like yourself. One of the best ways to find and evaluate the many financial aid options that are available out there is to use the Internet. Numerous websites focus on helping students and parents find financial aid for education. In fact, there are even scholarship and student financial aid program search engines that you can use to find the perfect deal.

Step 3 – Put in a little extra effort

Now that you have a good idea of what you want, what you need, and the programs that can help you achieve your goals, the next step is to put in a little extra effort. Go the extra mile to put yourself into the best position to get an appropriate financial aid.

Here are some of the things that you can do to help secure that financial aid program, even during these times of financial strife:

- Make the effort to speak with lenders and negotiate the terms of your contract.
- Commit yourself to working extra hard on your studies so that you can qualify for better coverage, such as scholarship or grant programs.
- Tidy up your credit report so institutions offering financial aid programs will be more willing to give you a good deal. You may want to start by eliminating all of your existing debt.
- Look for a co-signee, such as one of your parents, for your financial aid contract so that your lender will be more willing to give you bigger loans or better terms.
- Take the time and effort to talk to financial aid offices, school counselors, and financial advisors who can help you make important decisions regarding financial aid.

By: Nancy Havenford

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Nancy Haverford writes www.examplesofpersonalstatements.com”>examples of personal statements and other articles to help students with the college and university admissions. Whether you are looking for www.examplesofpersonalstatements.com/what-you-need-to-know-when-applying-for-financial-aid”>examples of personal statements or advise on how to deal with other aspects of student life, Haverford has some great articles that can help in times of need.

Improve your career choices with an online education degree

The current economy has caused serious problems within the job market, the real estate market and life in general. Many people have either already lost their jobs or are concerned with losing their jobs in the near future. An option that is becoming available and attractive to many people to protect their household income is seeking an online education degree. With the many online education degree programs now being offered, it’s easier than ever to earn a degree, either fulltime or in your spare time. If you’ve been considered furthering your education to better prepare yourself for the job market, check out 5 benefits to earning an online degree in this shaky economy.

1. Potential for higher income – With the downturned economy, many companies are downsizing, usually keeping the employees that can contribute the most. By earning an online education degree in your chosen field, you’re not only improving your job security, but also increasing your chances of a promotion and higher income. Higher education equates to a higher salary.

2. Increased job skills – Even if a promotion is not your goal, by earning a degree from one of the many online education degree programs, you’re making yourself a more valuable asset to your current company. If there’s a lay-off in one department, your advanced job skills may guarantee you’ll be kept on, or transferred to another department.

3. Change of Professions – With the downturned economy, certain job sectors are affected by downsizing or lay-offs more than others. By advancing your level of education, you’re improving your ability to change professions if the need arises. There are some professions that seldom are affected by the economy such as health care, security, education and law enforcement. All of these are available through online education degree programs, so you can earn a degree while you’re still employed.

4. More accessibility – Online education programs allow you to get an education even if you’re not living near a college or if your chosen degree program is not offered in a school that is near you. With an online education degree, you can access your school from almost anywhere or any time around the world as long as you have access to a computer. This gives you the opportunity to participate in your coursework and continue with your work schedule.

5. Specialized Instructions – With online education degree programs, you can truly learn at your own pace. You’ll have the option to read the material yourself, or access video and audio instructions and course material via a virtual blackboard and classroom. Because everyone learns in different ways, you’ll love the freedom to learn in a way that works best for you. With emails, instant messages and message boards now available, you’ll be able to get help and communicate with your instructor almost any time you need help or assistance.

By: M. Jackson

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About Author:
Mary Jackson is a contributor for www.distance-learning-college-guide.com an educational resource where you find information on how and where to earn an online degree. You can get more information on online education degrees and programs at www.distance-learning-college-guide.com/online-education-degree.html

With the Internet opening up an array of opportunities and possibilities in every sphere of our lives, it is no surprise that education has also benefited from the World Wide Web. Colleges and universities have introduced and multiplied the number of online degree programs and courses available; while distance learning has become on a whole new arena. The advantages of an online education are numerous. When you have responsibilities like children at home or elderly parents to care of, when you can’t meet the costs of a traditional degree at a regular college, when you need to work to make ends meet but still don’t want to give up your dreams of an education, an online degree program can let you do it all.

As the numbers of students enrolling in online programs is steadily rising, the number of colleges and universities providing these options continues to increase. Many recognized and accredited universities now offer full programs through the Internet with a quality of education and faculty that is on par, if not at times higher than those found in traditional courses and programs. Nowadays, there is no discrepancy observed in the earning of a degree either online or by attending a traditional class. As a result, employers are seeing more and more applicants with online degrees. According to Eduventures, an education market research company, nearly 1.2 million students have conducted their course of study completely over the Internet. And with the recent legislation eliminating limits on federal aid for online students, the numbers will now only rise.

But what happens to all these graduates when they finally make their way into the job market and face potential employers? Will the time and effort put into juggling a host of commitments along with an education pay off in the long run? The answer is a resounding, YES! Despite concerns and reservations, there has been an acceptance of online graduate degree more or less across the board. Many corporations don’t hesitate to employ applicants with online degrees and some companies even provide tuition reimbursement at times. This, in turn only serves to make online degrees more common and widely accepted and as a result increase the number of colleges offering online degrees.

Online degree programs allow you to major in certain subjects and research shows that employers are more likely to favor online degrees that specialize in areas like business, the media, marketing, accounting, technology and other knowledge-based subjects where the practical aspects can be tested online. It is, thus, vital that students interested in online degrees research their career options before selecting a program.

Most employers concede that it takes a great deal of commitment and determination to succeed at an online degree. The common belief being that students who opt for such courses are disciplined and able to multi-task and balance work, school and other responsibilities – all necessary traits to excel in most careers. Since online education also offers equal opportunity benefits, many students feel that they perform much better as well. Learning online also allows for time to work and to rack up work experience and additional qualifications if necessary. This is always a plus point where employers are concerned and can only work in a student’s favor.

The only major point that employers are concerned about is whether the online degree was earned from a reputed school.
Due to the proliferation of institutions that offer ‘illegal’ degrees or ‘diploma mills’ that market paper degrees that count for nothing in the real world, it is no wonder that employers have to be cautious. Most demand that the institution you have received your online degree from is reputed and is an accredited college online. Therefore, it is of prime importance that you investigate the college of your choice closely and only study with a reputable and well-known institution that offers degrees online.

In conclusion, if you are interested in pursuing an online education but still have reservations about the acceptance of your degree, there is absolutely no reason to worry. Graduating with online degree programs is the next big thing and is soon becoming the chosen option for millions of students every year as a way of completing their education and improving the opportunities in their lives.

By: Scott C

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Stevens-Henager College was established in 1891 and is distinguished as one of the oldest colleges in Utah. It has trained generations of graduates through its on-campus and online programs for Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s Degrees. Stevens-Henager College also offers FastFlex online degree programs for working professionals. Stevens-Henager’s degree programs

No matter if you want to obtain new job skills, earn a degree, or just develop your mind, go to your computer and you’ll discover a whole world of information at your fingertips.

Get real: Sitting for hours in packed classrooms and traveling back and forth to a college campus just are not alternatives for the majority of folks. But that does not mean you must give up your goal of getting a degree. Register for classes online and you may finish your course work at your own pace and at your convenience -all while continuing your present job.

Requests for this attractive option has taken off : Of the over three million citizens over age 35 who are registered in degree-giving schools, almost one third do a portion of the class work at home. In reaction, universities and colleges have started to offer an ever-larger selection of online courses and curricula. You may get degrees as different as a bachelor’s in medieval philosophy, an associate’s in health-care administration, or a master’s in public policy, mainly from the security of your family room. More and more, even subjects that call for on-site training-like physical therapy, nursing and teaching-permit you to do the majority of the work online.

In this manner, families can be together at night and you can pick your own time to do your lessons. It’s not a class of fifteen students assembled about one faculty member like it used to be. Imagine the variety of backgrounds, ideas, and age groups you get. That can truly add to the extent of learning.

There can be students in your classes who live in Japan and Saudi Arabia. It can be amazing just to listen to their points of view.

Having all of the online choices out there, how do you identify which ones are good? Luckily, the majority of the major guides to U.S. universities and colleges now assess online programs together with brick-and-mortar institutions. Some of the curriculums, such as the University of Phoenix, exist just about exclusively online, but a lot of institutions, like Florida State University and the University of North Carolina, present online degrees as well as those obtainable on campus.

Online degrees joined to a large public university carry more credence with employers. Degrees from establishments that run only online or by mail earn the lowest endorsement ratings. You should consider choosing a school within the commuting area where you anticipate to start your career.

Most of all, make completely certain that your curriculum is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education (ope.ed.govfaccreditation). Be clear – not all endorsement is created equal. Some courses that bill themselves as accredited may actually be “diploma mills,” debatable institutions that will grant a paper credential in trade for a fee, with not much regard for the value of the course work.

By: Robin Larson

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

For more detailed information about college schools online, try visiting get-onlinecollegedegree.com – a popular site where you can find information about online schools, online degree programs, best online schools, and more.

Argosy was established in 1961 as a brick-and-mortal university that provides degree programs in various fields particularly in psychology, health sciences and business. Today, Argosy University has expanded it campus facilities to 19 locations throughout United States. Since the online education grows its popularity and becomes one of the favorite options for students to pursue their degree, Argosy University has made most of it degree programs available for online students.

The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is a member of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The online education facilities of Argosy University are located at Phoenix’s campus. Students who like to pursue their degree online at Argosy University will be registered under the Phoenix campus. When the online students complete their degree online, their diploma and transcripts will be awarded through the Phoenix campus.

Since Argosy University has over 40 years in offering campus-based degree programs, it has very well established curricula that designed to prepare the students with the necessary knowledge and qualifications to meet their career needs. The long enough existence and its good reputation that is well-known in the job market make it degrees widely accepted. Students will find easy in job searching with a degree from Argosy University. The same curricula taught at it Phoenix campus are used for it online degree programs, providing students with the advantages of online learning environment while pursuing the same curriculum as the campus-based students.

Students who like to take control in their own studying pace and want to learn at their chosen comfort environment such as at home will benefit from the advantages of online degree programs provided by Argosy University. The students decide when they want to take their classes, day or night at any location they like, what they need to do is login to the online classes through internet connection from their desktop computer or laptop. Besides studying at interactive & user-friendly online classes, Argosy University’s online education team also prepare students to learn with seasoned faculty members who will provide to them a personalized attention in a small class setting to ensure the students are in path to complete their degree program.

Argosy is the university that offers the largest graduate school communities and one of the best in the United States. The graduate programs are offered in the combination of campus courses and the online programs, enabling students to benefit from the advantages of online education while giving them a chance to interact with their classmates at the physical classroom.

Summary

Argosy University started as a brick-and-mortar university and expand it facilities to support online learning in conjunction with the popularity of online education. The well-known in good reputation of the university making it online degree program a good alternative for professionals who do not have time for traditional college or university a possible place to enroll as online student.

By: Jullie Harvard

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Jullie Harvard is an author who writes on various online education topics. She runs www.studykiosk.com, a online education portal that provides information & resources about online degree programs offered by accreidted online universities & colleges.

Getting the whole family active is easier then you think. Showing your kids that fitness is a priority in your own life teaches them the importance of being active. This also helps to build a foundation of life long fitness and good health. My husband and I have four young kids, thus I have personally experienced that providing an appropriate outlet to burn energy is beneficial to the family dynamic.

Here are some tips on getting the whole family active that work for my family:

Fun keeps it fresh!
Doing the same thing again and again gets monotonous. A variety of activities wikk keep everyone interested. Kids tend to get bored of the same old bike ride every weekend. Go swimming. If weather and geographic location permits, alternate between swimming at the beach and the pool. Practice boxing and kickboxing using boxing gloves and a standing bag. Jump rope together. Sneak in a yoga class (many yoga centers have kids yoga classes offered at the same time as the adult class). We just started ice skating and rollerblading last year and have all greatly improved our skills together.

Check out your local clubs!
There are many places that cater to families. Think about joining a health club that has activities for kids such as Life Time Fitness. They have activities for the entire family such as: rock climbing, swimming, basket ball, family friendly marathons and more! The YMCA and YWCA have wonderful swimming, fitness and outdoor programs for the whole family.

Hit the mall!
Every town has a mall! Walking around and window shopping is easy and attainable for the whole family. Moms and Dads can wear ankle weights (hidden under your jeans of course!) on their ankles for some extra toning, strengthening and calorie burning power. In inclement weather, we hit the indoor mall and save the outdoor malls for nicer days (in Chicago, you have to be savvy in this way!).

As with any fitness program, safety is a top priority. Whatever it is that works for you and your family make sure everyone has the proper equipment to prevent injury. Family fitness can be a fun and effective way to workout if it is safe and appropriate for everyone involved.

By: TamaraYoga

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Tamara Tangney is a yogi, ice hockey player, health enthusiast and mother and frequently writes about new ways to incorporate fitness and healthful eating into one’s life. For more information on family fitness and products, go to www.chickswithkick.com