Introduction

This book talks on organizing 12 different areas of one’s life. Especially the areas where people tend to set goals and objectives. These areas include:

1. Personal development

2. Health and fitness

3. Career and work

4. Fun and recreation

5. Managing Technology

6. Home

7. Personal presentation

8. Strategies for happiness

9. Money and finance

10. Relationships

11. Time management

12. Family

The book goes ahead to provide motivation for organizing each of these areas of life and suggesting personal planner for creating personal organization plan in each life area.

Progress, not perfection

Whatever you choose to do in life, take it easy. You’re unlikely to persist if a goal is too big or requires too much time and effort from your already busy life. Go for progress, not perfection, and let the momentum from small successes carry you along.

Chapter 1: Organize your Personal Development

It is personal growth that keeps us fresh and alive. We get fed up with ourselves and maybe even resentful toward the people we see as standing in the way of things we always wanted to do.

This is the time to stop all that unhealthy stuff, to recover the childlike part of you that wants to explore, to re-kindle the fire in your belly.

Personal growth

• Books: This is one of the ways to keep your thinking fresh.
• Comfort-zone: Getting a comfort zone is almost unavoidable.
• Trying new things: Try all the things you have in mind. Take those thoughts of the new things you have in mind and try them. You’ll discover something new in you.
• Overcoming fears: Do not fear of any situation in your life. Rather think of how you’ll tackle all your problems and troubles, do not fear them.
• Training: Work on all the skills you need to perform your particular job. Outline all these skills and see that you improve them daily. They may be speaking, sales, management etc.

Personal Habits

• Bad habits: Check yourself and identify those habits you want to change. Device strategies to do this. Set out and work against these habits.
• Good habits: Envy people for their good habits? Why not start working on yours, and also turning those bad habits to good ones.

Mindfulness

• Spirituality and mindfulness: Make time in your life for your spirituality. Make time for prayer, reflection, and meditation or mindfulness.
• Uplifting work: Strive for inspiring works and work environment so you can enjoy producing good work.

Chapter 2: Organize your Health and Fitness

It is rare to find someone who has health and fitness aspects of their lives well sorted out. Most of us struggle with poor eating habits, sleep, lack of exercise, aches and pains, low energy etc. Without energy we can’t meet our goals, stress distracts us and drains our positive energy. It kills our relationships.

Our bodies have to hold our lives till our last. It is, therefore, our place to hold it and make living in our bodies comfortable and pleasurable.

Improving nutrition

• Food habits: Track all you eat throughout a week and note what you want to avoid.
• Emotional eating: How does this food I’m eating affect me emotionally? Take note of pertinent changes after every meal. This is enough statistics to make conclusions on how to feed.

Exercising regularly

• Exercise program: Plan you exercise plans properly. Write out your plan and stick to it.
• Excuses and obstacles: Be prepared for inevitable resistances during exercise. They’ll always occur. Prepare your mind for them.
• Motivation: Motivate yourself as you walk through your exercise milestones. Reward yourself for progress and keep moving.

Self-care

• Looking good: Keep a pleasant face throughout the day. It’ll help you move on. Smile and wash off all energy and happiness drainers!!!
• Energizers: Identify activities that give you energy. Plan and get more of them into your life. You’ll need this.
• Stress management: Stress is unavoidable. Find out techniques that work for you in avoiding stress.

Chapter 3: Organize your Career and Work

Almost everyone wants to improve their career and work. Unfortunately, most people just sit and wait for a chance to come and meet them. NOOOOO, start working on yourself, improve your skills, impress your boss, be proactive at work, and learn more about your profession.

Once you know what you want and how you’ll go about it, your attention and effort have focus. Stop now, spend time, organize your goals, take an inventory of your situation and speed up the process of developing your career over time. Be proactive and develop the focus you need.

Current Job

• Current work: Is it time to take inventory of your present work situation?

Consider whether you:

1. enjoy your job

2. get to express a talent

3. like the work environment

4. feel challenged

5. have the resources you need to succeed in your role

6. are making progress on your career plan.

• Performance: What is your:

1. Productivity
2. Initiative
3. Being a team player
4. Work quality
5. Written and verbal communication

• Relationships: What can you do to improve your relationship with:

1. superiors

2. colleagues

3. juniors

4. clients

5. suppliers?

Getting Promoted

• Requirements: Know exactly what it takes.
• Skills: What do you need? Get training and take more responsibility.
• Performance: Upgrade performance factors.

Finding a new job

• CV: Include your work history, skills, achievements, cover letter and portfolio.
• Interview Skills: Prepare yourself for:

1. common interview questions
2. a firm, pleasant handshake
3. confident presentation
4. knowing why you’re right for the job
5. salary negotiation.

Changing career/ Start a business

• Finding your passion: What do you

1. find interesting

2. excel at

3. find meaning in

4. see as an opportunity

• Exploration: Explore books, courses, talks, discussions on a potential career.
• Planning and research: Do your homework! Get clear on:

1. who to speak to in order to learn more

2. what skills and knowledge you need to develop

3. financial preparation or safety net (don’t skip this one!)

4. next action steps.

Chapter 4: Organize your Fun and Recreation