It just drives me crazy to see people that are supposed to be busy doing something, but they're hiding out. I'm like a former smoker who can't stand the smell anymore.

What I mean is I was the biggest procrastinator you've ever met, in my early years. I'd spend an hour trying to get out of half an hour's work. What a circus. My parents, teachers and employers weren't very amused. TV was big in my life.

What a shame. What an incredible limiter of life.

Today, I have a pact with myself. If I see a task that has to be done, I do it then, write it down to schedule later, or delegate it and make sure I follow up with the delegatee.

Life has a way of loading more stuff on you as your responsibilities grow, so it's important now to become a time miser.

Next month, or next year, when your skill at using time effectively is evaluated... or when you need to get something done fast, you'll have developed your ability-and you'll succeed. You'll be rewarded.

Isn't it amazing how, after a week or a month in preparation of a deadline, you're still working on it minutes before it's due? Why is that?

Poor planning... "Killing" time, hiding out.

If some thing you have planned is going to take a Herculean effort and may take a team, put the time into planning and delegating.

Don't you feel like a dog when you're hiding from a task? I know I did. I just felt like a criminal.

Want to feel like you deserve an award? Want to feel like a hero? Want to be admired by everyone?

Watch yourself and how you use your time. If you catch yourself sitting around watching TV, shooting the bull or reading unimportant magazines or newspaper articles, stop immediately and do something that will make one of your ambitions come true.

You'll enjoy yourself once you get started...

That's the toughest part.

You name it and it's difficult to start.

A year from now, you'll be a year older. Will you be any wiser? What are you here for exactly anyhow? What's your purpose? If you don't know, go to amazon, BN or borders.com and search for a book about developing a mission. Stephen Covey is a great person to read.

What if you're 80 years old? A mission can take a bunch of years off. Why are you sticking around? Be productive. The man across the street from us is 84 years old and his lawn looks like Disney World. It's his passion.

Get a degree. You've got the time. Be honest with yourself. I learned an interesting technique a long time ago...

I talk to myself like I'm an advisor to myself.

I tell me what to do, given the facts and situation. This way I can be less of a wimp when it comes to making tough choices with my time. Instead of immediately thinking I can't do a particular thing, I hear that voice that sounds like me but is much tougher than a person would normally be with themselves.

Kind of like a drill sergeant in your own head.

All I can tell you is that it works. I rarely hear "I don't know..." for long before the sergeant comes in with, "It'll only take a minute. Get it done and you won't have to worry about it later." It always makes sense, so I do it just to shut me up!!

You were born with tremendous ability. Use your own brain. It can help you do so many things that you can't imagine. You're NOT weak. You're strong. Pull it out of you.