And yet in a sense, I am living those circumstances.  We have a house that we might loose if it does not sell soon, and since all my stuff is in Puerto Rico, I don’t have a car and I sleep in a cot on the floor of my bedroom.  Furniture is at a minimum, a few chairs and a sofa bed for my daughter, which also doubles as the living room couch.  And yet, even though we don’t have a lot, we have managed to go out to dinner every once in a while, we’ve seen more movies in the last year than I’ve seen in the last five combined, we’ve been to the beach (thanks to my sister), to the parks (thanks to my friend Zoe) and even to the Space Center (thanks to a rental when my husband came to visit).  We have found some beautiful places and done some cool things.  More important, we have learned to figure out the bus system so we can go anywhere and we do.

Some days, it is frustrating.  When I go to take workshops in downtown Orlando, the workshop is for a couple of hours and I spend the whole day getting there and coming back (2 hours in the bus, about 45 minutes walking in certain parts of the trip, each way).  I am not in my 20′s and lately I have noticed how important taking care of myself will be in order to survive days like these without needing a week to recover.

Still, the more I live the life I have now, the less I miss the life I had before.  I’m not going to lie, I want to have my own car.  Grocery shopping in the bus is no fun.  I love to recycle and that has been almost impossible to do here (my apt. complex does not recycle).  Then again, I think the public transportation use is making up for the lack of recycling and I do get some recycling done, by way of giving the old newspapers to my girlfriend for her bin.  In the end, life is what you make of it.  If you want to enjoy it, you have to change your perspective about your circumstances.  Instead of thinking I ride the bus, I think to myself, I have drivers that take me anywhere.  I also have the ability to read in the bus, something I have never been able to do in a car (I get sick if I try).  More important, because I take this trips by myself, I am able to clear my head and enjoy my life more.

So when your life takes a turn, don’t get upset, get curious and enjoy the ride. I hope you will share with us some examples of your own changes of perspective in the comments section below.

Thirteen months ago I packed my bags and moved to the US.  I did not get a car when I got here and as I sit here wishing for one, I think of all the times I drove from one town to another back home, and I really don’t remember what was going on around me.

Have you ever driven to work or the store in the morning and found yourself in the parking lot wondering how you got there?  You are so consumed by the daily grind that you missed the drive entirely.  Your mind wandered from one thing to another.  You don’t remember driving to your destination.  How many times has that happened?

How many years have you spent, driving absent-mindlessly through your life?  How many more do you plan to live that way?  Life is not forever.  The journey is more important than the destination.  And, you are missing it.

Make a decision today.  Stop letting life pass you by.  Take one small step today.  Maybe it will be as simple as meditating five minutes every morning.  Perhaps you will consider a 15 minute brisk walk in the afternoon.  DO something, anything, and start today taking your life in your hands.

I am not talking about client assignments. I am referring to all the paperwork and issues that need taking care of in order to create a company and provide the services you want to provide. I have found that the way to motivate myself to keep going is to create opportunities to surround myself with other like minded people.

Meetings, fairs and other networking events might not get you clients. I don’t use them for that purpose. I use them to feed off the great positive energy, learn new things, share what I have learned and hopefully, motivate myself to keep going.

I understand that some people could argue that due to the Law of Attraction, any person could call forth a natural adversity. As a joke, yesterday I was asked if I caused the hurricane that made travel to Puerto Rico impossible. I did not. As much as I did not want my visitor to go back to the island, I do not wish bad to happen to others.

Looking at it as a Natural thing, how do you deal with one? It is an interruption to your plans or a welcome break? My philosophy in life is simple: be flexible, always. Make your plans and have alternatives in case you need to. Enjoy your life. Don’t be in such a hurry to get things done that you feel annoyed at anything that may come your way.

There will be times when it will seem that you have no support. Other times, you will find a lot of people helping you along. It takes courage to follow a dream. Some times, it takes a village. You have to make sure that those surrounding you can see the dream and not just offer advice so that you do what you want them to do.

What do I mean by this? Study those around you supporting your dreams and ideas. You surround yourself with people that are willing to tell you when you are procrastinating. They must be honest and praise you for real progress and be willing to scold you when you are digging your heels. You don’t want YES people surrounding you at this time. You don’t need people telling you what to do and how to do it either. This is your dream. Your family and friends can offer ideas and suggestions. However, you are the person doing the work. You do what you feel is right.

Another type of support you must be aware of is the one I call superficial support. This comes from people who are always saying you are doing well in front of you. As soon as you turn around, they show their true feelings. If you are one of those people that offers superficial support, stop. Think for a moment why you are doing this. Is it because you don’t believe the person can do it or are you just feeling anxious that they are trying something new? Be a real friend and give the support wholeheartedly. If you are the recipient of this type of support, be aware that some times it is not jealousy, just fear of loosing you once you move on to something else. Make sure that your friends know that you will not turn your back on them and help them fulfill their dreams.

This is, in a way, my Friday update. Have a great weekend.

I am a big believer that so long as you take one step towards the direction of your goal, you are ahead of the many who keep doing the same thing over and over again. Plus, if you take one step every day, you are taking 365 steps a year and they have cumulative effect on your outcome. More importantly, the important thing is the journey, not the end result.

I will give you an example: today I was going to register my business officially, both the coaching side and the Virtual Assistance side. Unfortunately, two things happen. I woke up with a horrible rash (spare you the details, only thing I will say is that getting dress and walking are both impossible at the moment) and the deposit we made yesterday did not clear yet. I could sit here and pout and feel sorry for myself or, I can turn on the computer, do as much as I can through the internet, wear a robe and put some allergy reducing cream in the affected areas. I also took all the information I am finding out about grants, ventures and alliances and getting some pretty clothes ready for tomorrow, when I have an Entrepreneur fair.

So you have a decision to make: are you going to feel sorry for yourself, or are you going to get unstuck and take one step towards your goal. Remember, whichever decision you make, it is your responsibility 100%. Hope this helps. Don’t forget to leave your comments below. Let us know how you are doing.

Be like the turtle. Slow is better than none.

What challenges are you tackling? What are you procrastinating on? What projects are you leaving for last because of your obligations to family, work, life?

Go ahead and tell us in the comments section below, what challenges are you facing.

Yesterday, we went to Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. Today, who knows what we are going to do. Have a great day and don’t forget to let us know what are your challenges in the comments section below.

I’m curious to hear from all you fateful readers, what is the one thing you need to accomplish your goals?

Be honest and get real with yourself and let me know in the comments section below.

Thanks.

So I ask you, what is procrastination costing you? Sit down in a quiet space for a few minutes today and write down everything that procrastination is not allowing you to get. If you are a woman over 40, this could take a while so get comfortable. Is it a healthy body? a better job? a child? a life? Be honest with yourself, nobody has to see what you write. I do hope that list serves as motivation for you to start looking at the possibilities.

Once you write it all down, make a clean copy and post it on your refrigerator door or your bathroom mirror. The question, why there? is simple. Those are two places where you have to look every day. The more you see it, the more it should motivate you. Lets get to work.

If you have not yet, don’t forget to click on the tab that says Get your free report now and order your copy of Procrastination Manifesto It will give you more ideas on how to work through your old ways and start creating new habits. Thank you for your support and get to it.

We are compiling an e-book for women over 40, our AviddivAs, on how to tackle those tasks and goals that seem to always end up at the end of the priority list. What we are looking for are simple things that they can do to get started on any goal. So here is your chance to be a co-author in our next publication.

All you have to do is send us your tips and tricks. If your tips and tricks are selected, you will be displayed as a co-author on this publication. You will contribute to the future of our AviddivAs. If you have a business, and you would like to distribute the e-book, that option will also be available to you.

So come and share your tips and tricks below. Post as many tips and tricks as you like. We are waiting to see what you suggest to our wonderful ladies.

Procrastination is a tool, not a negative character flaw. Remember to fuel yourself first, so that you can serve others. Don’t leave your own projects for last. Start today.