Think about simple things you do at home on a daily basis, like planning your meals. If you're like most people, you're thinking about what your spouse will eat and what your kids will eat...way before you even consider what YOU actually like to eat. This is probably not only the case with meals...it's very easy to lose yourself in the preferences of others in many aspects of life.

I just heard a mom say the other day, 'I went clothes shopping and all I ended up getting were clothes for the kids.'

A neighbor husband I was chatting with said, 'I really wanted to buy a new snowblower this year, but my grandkids needed some new sporting gear. Oh well, maybe next year.'

A fellow exerciser at the gym said to me, 'I really wanted to get outside this weekend and do some cross country skiing, but nobody wanted to go. It was frustrating because I'm always doing activities my family likes, but none that I like.'

You may be saying, 'Well, it used to be easier to think about myself before my job got so demanding, before the kids/grandkids came along, before I was so involved with the community, and before the money got tight. It was easier, then, to know who I was and what I needed and wanted for a healthy, happy me. Maybe someday, I'll get back to myself.'

Make 'someday' begin TODAY. It's time to discover who you are and what you need to rise to the top of your priorities again. This doesn't mean you disregard the needs, likes, and wants of your family members and others, BUT, it does mean that YOU are important too.

Making yourself a priority takes some planning and effort, but the rewards are plenty. You will be happier AND feel like you have something to give to others when you fill up your own well.

Let's take a look at all of the different aspects of ourselves and inventory how we're doing and where we want to be. Consider the components of YOU: physical, social, emotional, financial, spiritual, and academic.

Starting with the physical, are you eating healthy? One lady I was chatting with on Facebook said to me, 'I love vegetarian chili, but I can't make it because my husband/kids won't eat it.' This is not a good reason not to make vegetarian chili. I gave her some options. 1) Take turns...one week, make the vegetarian chili (quinoa makes it taste more meaty, without the meat, by the way), and the next week, make the meat chili. Ask your spouse/kids to at least try it...maybe they'll come to like it. 2) If not, get the family to help out. Instead of choosing one, make two batches of chili together, as a family. You'll get some bonding time in...and ALL of you (including YOU) will have meals you enjoy. Plus, you'll end up with leftovers!

What about exercise? A friend, just recently, said to me, 'Who has time to exercise? I take the kids to school in the morning, work all day, cook and clean at night, go to bed...and then the day starts all over again the next day.' I know. Life DOES get crazy busy. HOWEVER, there are many folks in her same situation who get up early and work out BEFORE the kids have to be taken to school, or on their lunch hour, or they alternate cooking duties with their spouse and go to the gym at night.

How are things on the social front? Do you have a few close friends that you regularly keep in contact with, or have you put all of your friendships on hold because of a crazy schedule? In the end, life's ALWAYS going to be busy, and life's short. Don't allow time to slip away...and friendships along with it. Make plans with your friends, get those dates on your calendar, and keep those appointments, just as you would any other important appointments.

Emotional health? Do you feel like you have a way to deal with what life is giving you, or do you need to find some coping skills? Do you need to add some relaxation techniques into your day? Maybe you need an hour of 'scheduled' quiet time 3 nights a week...3 hours that you put on your calendar, that you consider 'sacred time,' and that you don't allow other TO DOs and obligations (barring 'real' emergencies), to take that time away from you.

Think about your finances. What do you need to save for and what do you need to pay off? What changes do you need to make in the budget? What can you do to increase funds coming into your home? Maybe it's time to seek a higher-paying job, or see what you can do to get a promotion, or start that business you've been meaning to start, on the side.

The spiritual self is very important too. Have you found a daily devotional time, and a church or a practice (like meditation) to participate in? Maybe a friend or relative could watch the kids for an hour a week...or maybe use the church/organization daycare...so you can get in an hour or so to enjoy a service. Maybe you wish to read something spiritual in the comfort of your home, but can't find the time? In this case, perhaps, order in dinner on Wednesday nights, instead of cooking, in exchange for some personal time to read the Bible or some devotional book.

What have you learned lately? The only way to grow and better yourself as a person is to invest in your education and your mind. You might start small, like watching a Ted Talk every Sunday, or choose a topic of the week and do some research online. You may take a class. You may pick up a book on the subject you're interested in, and schedule an hour or two of reading time each week.

Yes, it might take getting up an extra 15 minutes early to read that book you wanted to read, or to fit in stretching in the morning, or just to have that first few sips of coffee alone in a quiet space to prepare for your day. It might also mean a) taking a morning off once a month, b) streamlining something you're doing now that's taking too long, c) delegating out some responsibilities to others in your family (or to professionals for lawn mowing, painting, grocery shopping, etc.), or d) STOPPING something that no longer interests you like it once did (perhaps a committee you're on or a volunteer effort.)

What one thing can you do TODAY to raise the priority of YOU on your TO DO list? Yes, it can make you very happy to help others, and you should do so, but it's important to do so in 'addition' to yourself and not at the 'expense' of yourself.

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The search for greater happiness never ends. So a resource that makes it easier for you to increase your daily happiness has the potential for a huge positive impact on your life.

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That's exciting news for anyone wishing to live a happier, more fulfilling life.

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As a loyal reader of my GON Newsletter, you get something extra special. When you obtain your copy of Happy For Life BEFORE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH at 11:59PM Central Time, you will also get over $100 in COMPLIMENTARY BONUSES!

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

P.S. If you're always looking for ways to feel happier and have a more positive impact on the lives of others, Happy For Life is going to be your 'new best friend'! For details, visit:

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GON InfoGraphics: Ask yourself these important questions while you're decluttering
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GON Organizing Men: Guys...why not get organized this Valentine's Day and plan a nice date with your spouse or significant other?
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Dirty Little Secret: Once you remove clutter from a room, immediately do this to avoid it making its way back in
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Mini Challenges: Dreaming of warm summer days? I know I am. This week's challenges will help you get a whole lot done.BEFORE the nice weather hits and you just want to be outside.
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In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...


Theme of the Week: Our theme of the week is 'struggles' and my home page quotes reflect that.
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Featured Web Poll Our question is: Do you feel you could be doing something better with your life right now? Take a moment to cast your vote in our poll and let us know. You'll be able to see up-to-the-second results, of all our readers, immediately.
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February Monthly Checklist: It's the second month of 2018...the perfect time to recharge! Let's make this your most organized month yet. Check out our NEW February 2018 Organizing Checklist
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1) Reach out. Contact someone you haven't seen or heard from in awhile. Alternately, or in addition, reach out to someone new. Try to always make and maintain positive connections in your life.

2) Make a list of learning targets. List 25 things you'd like to learn about. These can range from Greek Mythology, to aardvarks, to taking better photos on your cell phone. Anything goes. Then, highlight one and focus on that one topic for 2 weeks, investing 15 minutes a day. After the two weeks, or when you feel like you want to change things up, choose the next topic. Don't let learning stop in school...make it a lifelong quest.

3) Accomplish a 10-minute project. Choose a project in your home or office that will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Eliminate all distractions (put up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign, turn off cell and email notifications, etc.). Begin. Keep going until you're done. Celebrate! Getting small projects started and completed enforces an 'I CAN do it' attitude that can carry over to all your other projects!

'Happiness is not something ready made.
It comes from your own actions.'
--Dalai Lama XIV




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And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

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