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	Top Ten Motivators
	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

BREAK YOUR GOALS DOWN

• most goals are abandoned because they are too big and vague
• break your goal down into smaller tasks
• choose a concrete and measurable action
• have a solid idea of what successful completion looks like

COMMIT 15 MINUTES A DAY

• you don't have to commit hours at a time to accomplish a goal
• the greatest advances are the sum total of a series of small efforts
• commit to spending just 15 minutes a day
• do something that moves you closer to accomplishing your goal

DEVELOP A MANTRA

• repetition is the mother of success
• remind yourself of your goals every day
• turn your most important goal into a one-sentence affirmation
• phrased as though you have already accomplished your goal
• repeat regularly and it becomes your natural way of thinking

FIND A BUDDY

• try to get friends to help out with your project
• offer to reciprocate and help your friend in return
• two can get more done in a shorter period of time than one
• you hold each other accountable to accomplishing your goals

LET PEOPLE KNOW YOUR PLANS

• make yourself accountable by telling others of your plans
• they become interested in your progress and check in with you
• inspires you to keep going and overcome your obstacles

PAINT YOURSELF INTO A CORNER

• the worst deadline you can set for yourself is "this year"
• too vague, too broad, and too much room for slacking
• make a commitment to someone else to add some pressure
• knowing that others are counting on you often gets you going

PUT IT DOWN ON PAPER

• if you write a goal down, it is more likely to come to fruition
• you invest time and energy writing your goals down
• putting goals on paper makes you more committed to the outcome
• plus it's therapeutic to cross items off when they are completed

REVIEW YOUR GOALS REGULARLY

• ask yourself some hard questions about each goal
• ask why you haven't made more progress and what's in your way
• ask if the goal is still important to you
• if your priorities have changed, drop it from your list

REWARD YOURSELF

• as you plan your goals, attach a specific reward to each
• the reward should be commensurate with the amount of work
• be consistent about rewarding yourself for every accomplishment
• each completion deserves a reward, no matter how small

TAKE TIME TO ENJOY YOUR SUCCESS

• take time to acknowledge the fact that you accomplished a goal
• don't simply charge into the next task or you will burn out
• remember the time and effort you invested
• savor the feeling of completion
• refresh and renew your enthusiasm to continue

Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.

Ramona Creel is a Professional Organizer and NAPO Golden Circle Member. A former Social Worker, she has always enjoyed helping people find the resources and solutions they need to improve their lives. Ramona now travels the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of simplicity with everyone she meets. She leads by example -- having worked for more than 10 years as a Professional Organizer, and having radically downsized and simplified her own life as a full-time RVer. Ramona now considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" -- bringing all of her passions together into one satisfying career. As a "Virtual Organizer", she can create a customized organizing plan for your home or office. As a "Simplicity and Accountability Coach ", Ramona provides a proven program for making every area of your life a little bit easier -- perfect for those who want to make the time and space to focus on their true priorities. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a freelance writer and blogger, she shares organizing techniques, travel tips, and social commentary with others. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. You can also follow her on Twitter, check out her  Facebook profile.

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