By taking the right steps, I can reach my goals in the allotted time and stay on track.

When I set a goal, I also come up with a step-by-step plan to attain it. This allows me to be aware of what the goal requires and the time frame in which I will achieve it.

After setting up a very specific plan, with time frames included, I can start carrying out the steps mapped out. I do this in a progressive manner, starting with the first step and taking each step in turn when the previous step is complete.

I create measurable steps when I make my plan. This enables me to know with certainty when a step is complete so I may move forward and build momentum.

This strategy keeps me from wasting time. I know exactly what to do and when to do it, so there is no confusion and no wasted effort. I am able to complete my tasks on time because I simply follow my map to my goal.

Today, I will remain focused on tackling my tasks with progressive, measured steps according to my plan. In meeting this objective, I can successfully achieve my other goals for the day.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Have I made a plan of action to reach my goal?

2. What is good about putting a time frame on each step in my plan?

3. What benefits will I receive from progressively working towards my goal?

Being a single parent may be common today, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Many single moms are experiencing dangerous levels of stress, and they don’t see any way around it.

Chronic stress is harmful to your body, mind and spirit. As a parent, you need to find positive ways to deal with the stress so you can be healthy for both your children and yourself.

With a little bit of planning, help, and effort, you can juggle being both the parent and provider of your family.

Here are some tips to help you combat the everyday stresses of being a single mom:

1. Plan ahead. The best thing you can do when you’re a single mom is to plan ahead. You’ll find that the simple things in life that often cause the most stress can be managed or outright eliminated when you plan ahead.

· Prepare meals in advance and freeze them until you’re ready to use them.

· Have everyone put out their clothes the night before and their shoes by the front door so getting the day started will be a breeze.

2. Involve the kids. You can’t do everything by yourself, so get your kids involved in getting things done. Any help that your kids are able to contribute will save you a lot of time and stress each day, plus it’s teaching them the importance of responsibility and contributing to the family.

· Teach them age-appropriate tasks like cleaning their room, doing laundry, making the grocery list, planning meals, cooking, taking out the trash, vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms, and so on.

3. Know your limits. When a friend, co-worker, or family member asks something of you that you know you can’t do, say no. It may not make the other person happy, but knowing your limits can help you from being overworked unnecessarily.

· If you don’t respect your time, who else will?

4. Create a support system. When you have people that you can turn to, you’ll be able to release stress in a positive way. When you need a bit of reinforcement, it helps to know you can pick up the phone and call in backup!

· Your support system might consist of family members and friends who are willing to listen to you vent or even help you around the house.

5. Make time for yourself. Schedule at least 10 to 15 minutes just for you into each day. This time can even be for something simple, like painting your fingernails, taking a hot bath, or reading for pleasure.

· Your alone time will refresh and revive you!

These are all very simple, yet effective, ways to deal with the stress of being a single parent. These tips won’t do away with stress altogether, but they’ll help you manage it in a way that will allow you to get things done and enjoy your life and kids.

Your kids will only be small for a short time, and you don’t want to waste these years in a stressed out daze. Instead, take advantage of the here and now by incorporating these stress management tips into your life. It’s easier than you think!

My family is important to me, and I play a significant role in their lives. I am confident that my role in the family is positive and can be modeled by my loved ones.

I know that my family looks at the way I live my life closely, so I remain a good example of healthy living.

I am strong and courageous as well as gentle and fair. I react to stress and anger in a positive way that promotes a sense of serenity.

I take my role in the family very seriously and strive to be the best example for them as I can. In doing so, I help them build a strong foundation in their own lives. They watch me respond to challenges in healthy and positive ways and follow my lead.

My family learns through my examples of positive, healthy living.

My positive example also enables my family to communicate and share in healthy ways. I spend time creating a better me and this benefits my family as well. As I model positive attributes to my family, our bonds are strengthened.

Today, I strive to create a positive and healthy attitude to model to my family. I can exemplify strength, courage and positive motivation.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. How have I given examples of good behavior?

2. How can I continue to be a positive role model?

3. How has my family mimicked my examples?

Speed reading is a much sought after skill that enables you to boost your reading speed, while also improving your comprehension.

Speed reading strengthens your ability to read any style of writing while still understanding the intended and deeper meaning.

For example, when speed reading, you’ll be able to skim right over the less vital pieces of information and pick out the sections which are more important far quicker than by using traditional reading techniques.

Whether you’re already a fast reader or not, once you start training yourself to speed read, you’ll notice your reading rate and retention will vastly improve over time.

Just like anything else, when learning how to read more quickly, you can’t expect to read faster overnight. To learn how to use this skill properly requires time, effort and practice. You’ll need to work at speed reading every day in order to become proficient.

Here are some effective techniques you can use to teach yourself to speed read:

1. Time yourself. When you first begin, time your current reading pace so you’ll have a baseline that you can use for comparisons. Time yourself often when reading to see your growing improvement.

2. Practice improving your speed. Try and force yourself to read a little faster each time you pick up the material. You can do this by skipping over common words like the, to, from, and, etc.

3. Read each and every day. If you only read when you feel like it, you can’t possibly improve. Work a little bit each day, otherwise you may find yourself having to backtrack and relearn skills all over again.

· Go to the library and grab plenty of books to practice with.

· Take time each day to sit down and practice quickly reading a chapter or two, then test your retention by paraphrasing what you read.

4. Learn good reading habits. Work to break yourself of habits that slow your reading down, such as sub-vocalizing words, which is pronouncing words to yourself or moving your lips when reading. Be sure you’re only saying the words in your head.

5. Read with your hand. Moving your hand down the page helps guide your eyes quickly through the material.

6. Avoid re-reading. Practice taking away understanding of your material the first time you read it.

· You can skim through the information from time to time if needed, but avoid re-reading it in depth if you don’t have to.

7. Read in blocks of words. Instead of reading words letter by letter or the information word by word, interpret the author’s ideas in blocks of words.

8. Avoid distractions. Interruptions can interfere with your capability and cause confusion.

· You may want to try reading in the morning or before you go to sleep, when there are likely to be fewer distractions.

Before you can speed read, you first have to make the commitment to continually refine your skills. Practicing speed reading will help you improve your reading, writing and comprehension. As you strengthen your speed reading skills, you’ll soon find that you enjoy reading and learning new things more than ever!

Because I am interested in developing strong relationships with people, I let go of the idea that individuals must be perfect to be accepted. I have flaws and want people to love me regardless. I extend that same respect to others.

In seeking the best in people, I strive to remember that there are no bad traits. Issues that challenge relationships are merely the flip side of more positive qualities.

If my co-worker is stubborn, for instance, he is probably also determined and consistent. If my daughter is emotional, she is likely also sensitive and creative. I choose to focus on the positive aspects of the people I love.

I also strive to empower others to become their very best. I point out their good qualities both to them and to others, knowing that people will live up to whatever they believe to be true.

I let go of the desire to berate people for their shortcomings and, instead, try to build up the good that is already there.

I remember that everyone, including me, is a work in progress. When a sculptor creates a work of art, he often throws the same batch of clay many times before the piece begins to take the shape he envisions beneath his hands.

Likewise, people require time and the patient touch of the Creator to reach their full potential. I let go and just enjoy the process of watching them develop, fully believing in the beauty of the final product.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I understand that my loved ones are also works in progress?

2. Do I focus on the positive side of my loved ones’ character traits?

3. How can I empower those I love?

Do you have a difficult time staying on task? If you feel as though you’re spending a whole day just trying to get started, while never actually getting anything done, you can do something about it!

There are some very simple ways to help you regain your focus and stay on task, no matter what the day brings. In fact, some of these strategies are so simple that you may question whether they really are effective. The truth is, the simplest of strategies often yields the greatest result.

Here are seven simple tips you can use to help you stay on task:

1. Keep a list. Create a daily task list on paper for your whole day or week. If you think creating a list in your mind is just as effective, think again. The truth is, you’re more likely to waste precious time just trying to remember what’s ahead!

· When you take the time to create a list, you’re giving yourself a visual confirmation of what’s next. When you have a list to refer to, there’s no arguing what comes next and you won’t have any excuse to stray from your plan.

2. Schedule time for meetings and events. Set up specific times when people can come in and interrupt your work. Let your co-workers know what works for you and strive to stick to it as much as possible.

· For example, it’s often helpful if your co-workers know they need to leave you alone for two or three hours in the morning, but then after that they can come in and ask questions or get advice from you as needed.

3. Refuse to check email every five seconds. If you interrupt your workday by checking your email too frequently, you can get side tracked just as you are building momentum. Set specific times when you check email. It could be twice a day, or every few hours, but the goal is to eliminate unnecessary distractions.

· You can also send an automated reply that explains when you check email and when the sender should expect a response. I’m sure people can wait a few hours for a response!

4. Keep off of Facebook, Twitter and instant messaging services. Sure, communicating with your friends and colleagues can make the day go faster, but it distracts you from the task at hand and keeps you from building precious momentum.

· How can you possibly get anything done when you’re immersed in a real-time Twitter conversation? You can’t. So turn it off and go back on when it’s the right time for you.

5. Use headphones to block out noise. If you have trouble focusing on your work because of the noise around you, wear a pair of noise-canceling headphones. If you don’t want any sound at all, get some earplugs; it’ll save your sanity!

6. Get a comfortable chair. Did you know that productivity and comfort go hand-in-hand? It’s true. Having a comfortable chair makes a huge difference in how you think, feel, and perform. If a new chair is out of the budget, get one of those chair cushions. You’ll find that it’s a purchase that pays for itself.

7. Clean up your workspace. When your desk is clean and organized, it’s much easier to stay focused on the task at hand. Why? Because you don’t have to wade through the stacks and clutter to find what you need.

· Even seeing the piles of junk in your peripheral vision may increase your internal tension! Keep only what you need for your current task and put everything else in its place.

Do you think you can implement some of these simple tips in your workflow? I know you can!

You’ll experience a huge difference in your productivity and – more importantly – your happiness, when you apply even just a few of these time-saving techniques. You’ll be able to get more done faster than ever, leaving you with time for more important things, like having fun!

Because I know that my time is limited, I invest some of it in organization so I can be as productive as possible with the rest of it.

I let go of the idea that I can do everything and focus my attention on a few things that matter most to me. I prune out the rest in order to be able to do quality work on those things without stretching myself too far.

Because I am clear on where I am going, I find it natural to break down the steps I need to take to get there. I set realistic daily, weekly and yearly goals so I can accomplish what I set out to do in a reasonable manner.

I let go of the idea that I should be able to finish important projects overnight and, instead, give myself the time I need to do an exceptional job.

I often have many things that I need to remember: names, dates, times, tasks, opportunities, and much more. I utilize a planner and check it regularly because I know that by staying organized I am granting myself greater productivity and a more relaxed life.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I recognize the value of investing time in organization?

2. Do I take advantage of tools that are designed to help me be organized?

3. Are the activities that use up my time contributing to the achievement of my goals?

If you’re experiencing problems sleeping, there’s a good chance you aren’t getting enough exercise. Both mental and physical exercises are effective ways to help you experience a deeper, more restful sleep.

For some people, exercise is enough on its own to overcome their insomnia. When you exercise, you’re placing extra stress on your body and, in order to compensate for this added stress, your brain dictates a greater need for deep sleep to aid in recovery.

Bright Light and Your Internal Clock

Have you ever noticed during the warmer months, when you’re outside and active, you tend to get tired earlier in the evening? This is due to the extended amount of time you’re exposed to sunlight and the physical activity.

Exercising in a brightly lit area with a lot of sunlight increases your energy levels. Also, increasing your exposure to sunlight helps control your body temperature rhythms that regulate sleep.

What Are the Best Exercises for Fighting Insomnia?

Almost any physical activity can help you combat insomnia. However, there are a few particular exercises that seem to work better than others.

Here’s just a sampling of exercises to overcome insomnia:

• Treadmill – Best when used next to an open window with plenty of sunlight pouring in
• Bicycling – The movement and constant concentration needed are especially effective.
• Stationary Bike – Not as effective as a real bicycle, but works great on rainy days
• Jump Rope – A good exercise to do that’s stationery and requires little equipment
• Dancing – One of the most enjoyable ways to get exercise
• Walking & Jogging Outside – This is probably the easiest way to get exercise, exposure to sunlight and beat insomnia.

What Time is the Most Effective?

The best time to exercise is about 4 – 6 hours before bedtime. If you exercise just before you retire for the night, your body won’t have enough time to cool down properly. This can make it harder to get to sleep. Remember that you should avoid caffeine or eating late, as well.

Get Your Mind Active, Too!

When you exercise your body and mind at the same time, you’ll notice you’ll get a deeper and more fulfilling night sleep. It’s very easy to exercise your mind while you’re involved in physical activity.

Some ways to do this while you’re exercising are:

• Doing simple math problems in your head
• Reciting something you need to remember
• Listening to an audio book or podcast
• Reading a book, newspaper or magazine

Avoid doing the same exercises every day. Mix things up so your activities keep your body and mind fresh and active. Monotony causes the effectiveness of the activities, both physical and mental, to wane.

You may also want to keep a journal of your exercise activities and your sleeping hours. Once in a while, you can analyze what combination of exercises – both mental and physical – gave you the best sleep results. And once you’re equipped with this newfound knowledge, you can create a custom workout, which will improve your health and help you beat the insomnia bug for good!

I am better able to handle trials in my life because I engage in healthy thinking and surround myself with positive energy.

It is often said that God does not give us anything we cannot handle, and I know that this is true. With this knowledge, I can breathe easy and enjoy peace and serenity in my life.

I am able to handle all things that come my way because I allow healing in my mind.

When I am faced with a new challenge, I take a deep breath and allow my mind and body to relax. I take a step back from the problem and look at it with a positive view.

I let go of making the challenge bigger than it really is and I take it one step at a time. I keep my focus positive and allow my healthy mind to explore all possible solutions.

I allow peace to surround me and I enjoy this calm feeling. I let go of the need to worry and create chaos in my life.

Today, I strive to practice healthy thinking and allow peace and serenity to heal my mind and strengthen my soul. I choose to peacefully tackle all challenges so I can declare my success.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Have I remained positive today?

2. Have I let go of the need for chaos in my life?

3. Have I allowed peace and serenity to heal my mind?

If you have children, you know how hard it can be at times to get them to do the things they should. Between after school activities, video games, cell phones, and computers, convincing your kids to take care of their household chores and other responsibilities can be a real challenge.

The truth is, not every method of motivation will work with your child. Also, what works for one child may be detrimental to another!

· As parents, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to be a friend to your child, but your goal is to be their leader, teacher, and motivator, too!

Here are a few things you can try to help motivate your kids to get things done:

1. Kids love praise. Your kids want your attention and praise. If they know that doing the things they’re supposed to do will bring them praise, they’re more likely to do those things. You’re their parent and they want to make you proud of them.

· By encouraging them and praising them frequently, you’re reinforcing good behavior.

2. Offer rewards. Often, children are motivated by rewards. The rewards don’t have to be large or involve money. You can reward your children by:

• Spending time with them doing an activity they enjoy
• Reading to them
• Playing games with them
• Curling up and watching a movie together

• All of these rewards are positive motivators for your children. They’ll be much more eager to do their household chores if the reward is something they can look forward to.

3. Lead by example. If your kids see you doing nothing all day long, they’ll feel as if it’s okay for them to do the same thing. Remember that your children are like a sponge and they look up to you and want to emulate you.

• Show your kids that regular tasks can be rewarding. For example, seeing a bunch of separate ingredients transform into cookies that get compliments can give your child a confidence boost to help out again next time!

4. Fear of consequences. There’s a big difference between consequences and punishment. When your children don’t do the things they’re supposed to do, you can teach them how their actions or inactions can have a negative impact on their lives and the lives of others.

· Take something away for a short period and explain why you’re doing it and how they can earn it back. This example of natural and logical consequences is essential preparation for adult life.

5. Show love. Your children need and want your love and devotion. Get involved in their lives. If your child is really interested in something, do it with them!

· Showing children you appreciate them and respect their choices will build a deeper bond between you. When you ask them to get something done, they’ll be more likely to do it because of the mutual respect between you.

Motivating your children isn’t always easy. It takes dedication and consistency to provide the example and direction needed to build a child’s character.

While it may seem easier to throw in the towel and do things yourself, standing steadfast and finding new ways to motivate your kids is much more likely to help him become a productive, responsible adult.

As a parent, it’s your job to mold your children into caring, responsible and respectful adults. Remember, children are people too and are motivated by the same things that motivate anyone else.

Things like love, attention, pleasure, rewards and recognition top the list of things children crave in their lives. Heaping these essential motivators onto your children will provide great rewards throughout their lives.