time management is always a challenge. We cannot master time. We can, however, choose how we use time and ensure that the time spent was valuable and rewarding. Therein lies the antidote -- spending time on projects, tasks and duties that are valuable and rewarding.

Attitude Determines ALTitude

Attitude and state of mind toward a busy lifestyle either poisons or enhances your experience and feelings toward time management. Before you can change your attitude, you must first look at the cause or root. Recognition is half the battle.

The Diagnosis

Can you identify with any of these feelings or thoughts?

• Often feel like you forgot to do something important.
• "How am I going to get all this done?"
• A sense that things are out of control?
• Tend to miss deadlines or important appointments?
• "When am I going to get some time for me!?"

Antidote To Time Management Blues = Get Clear About Your DESIRES!

The reason we feel frustrated with time management has nothing to do with time management itself. Rather, it has to do with WHAT we are spending our time doing. If you are wasting your time or not able to do the things that are really important, you feel conflicted and frustrated.

Sometimes desires sit just below the surface. You may not be aware of a specific issue, but there is still a sense of internal conflict. Getting clear about your desires and what is most important to you will allow you to focus and organize your life around those things that really drive you and give you great satisfaction and reward.

What is a desire?

It is something you get excited and energized just thinking about it. Something that you may not have done before but just know you could do it. It just simply moves you to action. It is something about which you feel passionate and committed.

Getting clear about your desires and drives is a process more than it is just a one time effort. It will evolve. At first, it may appear out of focus or even cloudy. It will take time and a lot of thought to gain clarity. Think about:

• Pay attention to what you enjoy and do more of it!
• When were the times when you had a peak experience?
• When have you felt most invigorated and alive?
• Look at your dreams? What do you fantasize about? What lies hidden just beneath the surface? Be honest about what is missing in your life.

Be willing to explore your dreams, give them some TLC and look at the possibility of living them! Do not judge them too quickly even if these dreams seem unattainable, uncomfortable or outrageous. Remember, if you do not face your dreams, desires and goals, you run the risk of not ever achieving them.

Successful entrepreneurs are some of the most committed and passionate people I have ever met. They are deeply committed to living their lives in a way that fulfills their dreams, passions and goals. Unfortunately the opposite is also true. When they are not engaged in what fulfills them, they can feel stressed, frustrated and sometimes even confused.

The quickest way back to fulfillment and peace is to identify and follow your dreams. That requires getting clear about your desires, for example:

• Have more time at home with family.
• Feel fulfilled and excited about life and work.
• Create more friendships.
• Invent or improve something.
• Create or build something of value.
• Spend more time with friends.
• Take on and solve an important issue.
• Feel important and valued by friends, employees and family.
• Make a positive contribution or impact.
• Make more money to allow lifestyle choices and have more things.

Find The Golden Key

Discovering your unique niche overlaps somewhere between your desires and wants, skills or assets and the opportunities at your feet. To find the Golden Key, answer these questions:

• What do I value?
• What am I passionate about?
• What do I really want to do?
• What am I really good at?

Allow these questions to lead you to a new way of living and a business structure that fits you. It will be one based upon your passions, values and interests. It will invigorate you and be an anchor in those times ahead that are sure to test your resolve about being in business.

Once you get your calendar into alignment with your greatest desires, life will feel effortless and easy. Dare To Care -- For You!