If filing your 2012 Income Tax return is on your mind, check out this list of important 2013 TAX DEADLINES that you can’t afford to miss.
Paying attention to these key dates could save you a lot of money!
Posts Tagged ‘a new leaf’
Healthy Eating for 2013
Have you resolved to eat more healthily this year? If overeating during the holidays was on your agenda, one of your resolutions may be to lose some weight. Let Canada’s Food Guide help you make healthier food choices.
If your objective is to Eat Better, Feel Better or Look Better, check out SparkPeople. It’s a website which allows users to track their food intake, workouts and weight. 
Find out how we helped our client Martine!
“I felt overwhelmed until Cathy of A New Leaf came to my rescue. I had lived in my house for 26 years and wanted to put it up for sale. Every nook and cranny was filled with stuff. I didn’t know how to begin.
Cathy is extremely well organized and meticulous. She came promptly each day with a smile on her face. Together, and with Cathy’s resourcefulness, we were able to separate things into piles for keeping, donating, recycling with little left for garbage. I was finally able to put my house on the market!
I would highly recommend A New Leaf if you are looking for some professional assistance organizing.”
Martine V.
Thanks for reading…
P.S. CLICK HERE to read more testimonials!
Food for Thought…from our friends at Neworld Coaching
Here is some food for thought as you reflect on 2012 and move forward in 2013. Thanks to our associates at Neworld Coaching!
CHOICES
I choose my internal conversation
My self-talk lifts me up or brings me down
I choose my response to every situation
No one and nothing makes me respond
I choose my attitude towards my profession
I choose the way I treat other people
I choose what I will do about my physical health
I choose what I will eat or drink
I choose how happy I will be
I choose to maintain emotional control
I choose to act responsibly
I choose to grow spiritually
I choose what I will learn or if I will learn
I choose how much money I will earn,
and how many hours I will devote to earning it
I choose how much of my time, talent and treasure I will give to others
I choose to make my own choices and embrace my self mastery
I choose to make 2013 MY year!
~Michael
P.S. Please drop by the Neworld from time to time to see if we are offering any tools or techniques that you might find helpful for your business growth.
The Coffee Bean Technique
THE COFFEE BEAN TECHNIQUE
(Author Unknown)
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how growing her business was so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
Twenty minutes later she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ‘Tell me what you see.’
‘Carrots, eggs, and coffee,’ the daughter replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Then the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, ‘What does it mean, mother?’
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak and limp.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique. They changed the water, the very circumstance that brought the adversity.
When the water gets hot, the coffee bean releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when you face challenges, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level? Do you choose to handle adversity like a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; but they make the most of everything.
The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures.
Do you have an effective strategy for handling business and life challenges – for being the coffee bean?
A Life Lesson from Marilu Henner
“Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life.”
-Marilu Henner
RESOLVE…To Get Organized!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I look forward to sharing lots of helpful tips and exciting plans with you in the year ahead.
Did you know? In a recent survey for CNN by the Journal of Clinical Psychology, GETTING ORGANIZED was Number 2 on their 5 Most Popular New Year’s Resolutions. Surprised? Probably not.
To help you jump-start your productivity in 2013, CLICK HERE to claim your copy of Brian Tracy’s Eat That Frog. Happy eating!
RESOLVING TO GET ORGANIZED
“The biggest reason most people fail is that they try to fix too much at once – join a gym, get out of debt, floss after meals and have thinner thighs in 30 days.” Marilu Henner
Have you already given up on your New Year’s resolutions?
Whether you need to organize your home, your office–or both–here are some ideas to help you succeed. Let’s get started and turn over another leaf!
Planning
“Most of us start out with a positive attitude and a plan to do our best.” Marilu Henner
Set aside some time to think about what you want to organize. Make yourself a cup of your favourite hot drink. Grab a pen and some paper. Did you know that if you write down your goals, you are more likely to achieve them?
It’s the start of a new year. Dream BIG—even if you think it’s unattainable. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you break a big dream down into small projects.
Create a Master List
Go through your house thinking about one room at a time. Take photos of each room; decorators say you’re able to view it more objectively. Determine what functions each room has to fulfill. If the room has to perform multiple functions, create a different zone for each activity.
Your master list should contain all of the projects that you want to complete. Estimate how long you think each project will take. Be realistic.
The next step is to prioritize your list, and determine which room you will work on first. It’s best to start with the room that causes you the most stress.
Scheduling
When you schedule organizing sessions in your planner or calendar, you’re making a commitment to do the required work.
You may not be able to complete a room all at once. If necessary, divide it into sections, and work on one section at a time. If you only have one hour, pick a project from your list that you can complete in that time period.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to do all the work yourself. If you want to organize a number of areas, schedule a family meeting. Involving the whole family in the process can teach them valuable life-long skills. Just remember that children can’t stay focused as long as an adult. Try to make it fun!
It’s also a good idea to schedule a snack break; prepare snacks ahead of time. Plan ahead–when cooking, double a recipe and freeze one batch. At the end of the day when you’re tired, you’ll have an easy meal!
Supplies
Stock up–garbage bags, recycle bin, empty boxes, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves, etc. Label boxes—Keep, Sell and Donate.
Use storage containers that you already own—the ones you emptied when you decluttered. For some items, you may need to purge before you can determine what type of containers you need.
Getting Started
“. . . don’t let perfectionism become an excuse for never getting started.” Marilu Henner
Harold Taylor, a leading Canadian time management expert, tells us studies have found that you’ll accomplish more if you focus on one task at a time.
Gather together everything you want to store in an area before you start organizing that space. Start by grouping similar items together, so it’s easier to make a decision about what to keep. Place items that belong elsewhere in a box just outside the room. It’s easy to become distracted if you leave the room.
Resist the urge to tell yourself, “I may need it someday.” Remember to REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE.
Take a break–set a timer–to keep up your energy level. This is especially important when working with children.
Storage
Similar items should be stored together and as close as possible to where they are used. An item is more likely to be put back if its home is close at hand.
Clear storage containers should be used as much as possible, so you can see what is inside. Be sure to label all containers.
Maintenance
Maintaining your organized space will require some effort from everyone. Make tidying up part of your children’s chores. Schedule a daily or weekly clean-up time, so things don’t get out of control. If you find something isn’t working, don’t give up. Schedule a family meeting; a small change may be all that’s required.
Rewards
When you’re done, don’t forget to reward your children and yourself for all your hard work!
Emotional Wisdom…by Susan Holm
Recognize your Emotional Wisdom
When you experience uncomfortable feelings like unrest, sadness, irritation or unhappiness, don’t be so quick to label them as bad feelings. Your feelings are genuine, and signs that something is stirring inside of you.
Our feelings direct us and shield us from harm. They help us know what is going on inside and around us. They are our teachers. Don’t judge your feelings but follow their direction to reveal the underlying issue, so you can move forward to a resolution.
Recovering your Emotional Wisdom
This month really listen to your emotions. When you repress your emotions, you are working against them.
But if you embrace your emotions, you work with them, so they can heal and provide protection as they were meant to do. Remember that emotional well-being is directly related to your physical and mental well-being. Don’t permit your feelings to drag you down. Acknowledge them, let them go, and then take action. Remember, responding in this way is not only a step toward creating a happier life, but you will also be moving toward living in an emotional state that supports good health. Every thought we have has a powerful effect on the body.
It’s important to be aware of the amount of emotional stress that you are attempting to cope with in life. Take some time to think about your life, and how you respond to external influences. Identify the specific emotional stressors that you are dealing with. Ask yourself the following questions. Your answers will go a long way in helping you reduce your stress load.
Do you enjoy your work/co-workers? Do you feel secure in your employment?
Are you in a supportive family/home environment? Do you have occasions to express and receive love?
Do you trust that you will always have enough of what you need? Do you have sufficient creative expression?
Does your environment feel like a sanctuary, without clutter?
Do you make time for relaxation during the course of your day? Do you enjoy deep restful sleep?
Do you take days off? Do you go on vacation?
Are your relationships harmonious? Are you involved in community activities (spiritual, sociable, professional, volunteer)?
Are you without any significant health challenges?
Have you accomplished a notable personal achievement in the past six months?
If the majority of your answers are YES, you have created a life that supports you emotionally. If you notice that you have more NO answers, take some time to evaluate how you can improve the quality of your life experience.
To begin, acknowledge and embrace your emotions, so that you can uncover their cause and work towards a resolution.
MY ACTION CHOICES AND RESOLUTIONS TO RECOVER A SENSE OF EMOTIONAL WISDOM:
To begin recovering a sense of emotional wisdom, I will:
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
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Suggestions to Help You Recover Your Emotional Wisdom
There are different things you can do in everyday life to ensure you remain in touch with your emotions. Consider the following:
Breathe slowly and deeply.
Rejuvenate with a nature break.
Let your media influences be uplifting and positive.
Get plenty of good sleep.
Make a commitment to regular stretches.
Write in your morning pages.
Schedule your artist dates.
Cultivate a spirit of gratitude.
Practice patience.
Emotional Wisdom Activities
Don’t let the winter weather get you down. Participate in some type of activity to keep your emotions positive and inspiring!
Indulge in a warm bath.
Take up Nordic Pole Walking.
Go see funny movies.
Play some of your favourite songs while making a lovely dinner.
Strap on your skates and skate on an outdoor rink.
Curl up with a copy of your long-lost favourite book and read a few chapters with a cup of tea.
A Little Inspiration
Stop resisting your feelings, so you can see what they offer you: a sense of wisdom, and a chance for nourishment and growth.
Susan Holm, Naturotherapist, and Owner of Natural Health Care Centre, provides therapies facilitating optimum wellness. These natural therapies provide relief from painful symptoms, correct the cause to help you live healthy, think healthy and stay healthy. Click here to learn more about how Susan can help you live your best life.
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