Your To-Do List: Knowing Where to Start

You've got a long list of tasks that you want to get done today, or this week. Some are big, some are small. Some are important, some are trivial. Some are urgent, some aren't.

Where do you begin?

Different experts will tell you different things. The truth is, though, that there's no "perfect" way to manage your to-do list. Ultimately, you're either going to get everything on it done, or you're not. The trick is to maximize your chances of getting it all done – to develop a system which works for you.

Here are four methods, all equally valid. Give one or two of them a try, and see what seems like a good fit. If you've already got a system that works, leave a note in the comments to share.

Start With the High-Energy Tasks
You might hear these tasks described as those with "the most resistance" or as "frogs". They're tasks which you feel a bit daunted by, ones which you'd quite like to put off.

They might be unpleasant (e.g. phoning an angry client) or actually quite enjoyable (e.g. writing your novel). Either way, they feel hard.

By tackling with these high-energy tasks first, you get a great start on your day or week, and you'll often have a strong sense of achievement and momentum.

Start With the Easiest Tasks
On the flip side, you might prefer to start off with the easiest tasks. If you find it hard to settle down and work, or if you end up procrastinating a lot, these easy tasks can help you "warm up".

Easy tasks are ones which don't require much energy. You don't have an emotional investment in them - they're not scary or worrying at all. Easy tasks might be fun, or they might simple be routine – like clearing out your junk email.

Start With the Most Important Tasks
If you could only accomplish one or two things this week, what would you pick? Those are your most important tasks – the ones which really make a difference in your work or in your life.

Important tasks might include writing a report, finding ten new clients, or getting your small company's website online.

By tackling these tasks first, you'll know that you've made significant progress – which encourages you to carry on working. Plus, if you don't complete your whole list, you'll at least have done those 20% of tasks which get you 80% of your results.

Start With the Most Urgent Tasks
The urgent items on your list are the ones with a looming deadline. They might be vitally important (like getting your presentation finished before the big meeting) or pretty insignificant (like taking back your library books before you get a fine).

Urgent tasks often weigh on your mind. By tackling them first, you get them out of the way and you can carry on with the rest of your work without worrying that you might run out of time.

Which of those four methods works for you? You'll probably find that you use a combination of methods – perhaps you tackle the important, urgent tasks first, or you start off with something easy but urgent so that you can get it off your mind.

Whatever technique you use, though, it's not going to give you more than 24 hours in a day! Although we often talk about "time management", we can't really change how much time we have – we can only alter where we put our attention. So, as well as finding a good way to tackle your to-do list, make sure that you're taking a long hard look at any tasks which might not need to be on there at all.

Six Lessons You Learn By Playing Santa

So there I was, curly white hair obscuring my eyes, curly white beard tinkling my nose, jingle-bell-bedecked hat jingle-jangling. It was my turn to be Santa Claus. I had on the red suit, the big black belt, the whole works. Thinking back, I can’t help but say it was a little unreal.

Being Santa can be awfully daunting but there are a few good lessons to be learned once you step into those big black boots. They are lessons that we all knew at one point but for some reason, most have forgotten them. Perhaps it's because an iPhone didn't tell us so!

• Make the Memory
  Maybe this is the year to build a snow fort in the front yard or try ice skating in the park. Some families make a special ornament each Christmas and mark it with the year. Try something new whether it’s a gift or an experience so you can keep the years from becoming a blur. This will always be the year that I first dressed up like Santa.
• It’s about the kids
  Sure, you want that new iPad (and maybe an Amazon Kindle or a nice watch), but when it comes down to it, Christmas is a kids’ holiday. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy yourself when you are a grown-up, it’s just that the joy of the holiday comes from a kid tearing into those presents when it’s barely light outside on Christmas morning. It’s not a time to be selfish.
• Respect tradition
  Whatever your religious feelings at Christmas time, Santa Claus gives you a chance to share family traditions. Always open presents on Christmas Eve or leave plate of cookies out for the big guy? Whatever they are, Christmas traditions are another way a family learns to stick together no matter what problems or clouds surround.
• Appreciate the little things
  As Santa, I got to pass out little gifts to the kids – jingle bells on a ribbon they could wear around their necks. They couldn’t be more thrilled. One of the best things about the holidays are that they bring out good behavior in most folks, so even small gestures mean a lot when they are thoughtful. So how about spreading around the thank yous and the favors – let the other guy into the parking space or thank someone for opening the door for you. And even little gifts can be great. Give out candies or cards.
• Don’t be a cynic
  If you are gagging on the last point, thinking about the pushing and shoving at the store or the meaningless merchandising of Christmas, take a moment. You can’t be a cynical Santa when kids are asking you if you are friends with Frosty the Snowman. Fight the temptation to hate it all. Focus on the good and, when in doubt, watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
• When in doubt, ho, ho, ho
  If you really think about it, these days are pretty ridiculous. Guy in a red suit. Trees inside the house. Egg nog?! On your way home from work, just look at the lights, turn up the radio on one of those silly songs (“Wonderful Christmastime” by McCartney is a good choice) and just laugh.

5 Sure-Fire Ways To Enjoy Every Day Of Your Life

There was a time in my life where I wasn't enjoying it very much. I was so stressed in the pursuit of success that I had in fact lost the joy of living. I spent so much time on the road endeavoring to build a future for my family that I didn't have time for them. In fact, I was so wrapped up in the pursuit of my future that I was in fact missing out on the present.

So as the years went by and I weren't getting any younger, I paused, just for a split second, and did a review. What I saw wasn't pretty. In fact it utterly disgusted me.

1. Learn to laugh
   Laughter is the healer of all ills. Smiling is the balm that soothes and settles. Both are the medicine that sustains a life of joy. Laugh in the face of problems. Laugh in the path of insurmountable odds. Guffaw in the depths of the valleys, and celebrate with wide beams of sunshine streaming from your mouth when standing on the mountaintops.
   
   Learn to laugh at yourself. Laugh when you triumph, and laugh when you trip. But don't laugh at the expense of others. Share jokes that lift. Watch clean comedies that lighten the load. See the funny side, and search for it if you have to, to discover another reason to always laugh.
2. Stop taking yourself too seriously
   Why so serious? Stop it today. Lighten up. So many people are so tightly wound that they will either crack up or blow up. Loosen the bonds of seriousness and be free.
   
   There was an actor that appeared on the film scape a number of years back and he called himself ‘Yahoo Serious’. Now the very name, let alone the way he presented himself - well can I simply say this - it was hard to get serious when he was around.
   
   So loosen the screw. Let down your hair. Find a reason to celebrate - for whatever reason - and be free at last from serious seriousdom - the land of the deadly serious - seriously!
3. Surround yourself with winners
   I don't keep the company of losers. I'm at a loss why anyone would. The fact is that if you want to win in life, then you need to build around you a company of winners - in your field of endeavor and then others who are winners in their respective fields.
   
   Winners commit winning acts. Winners speak winning words. Winners have winning ways. Winners sometimes lose, but don't stay down. They get up, dust themselves off and go again.
   
   Fill your world with winning books. Watch winning movies. Listen to winning speakers, but most of all associate with winners.
   
   True winners won't compete with you - but will join your cheer squad - cheering you on in your winning pursuit.
4. Make it your daily habit to express gratitude
   Gratitude is of vital importance if you wish to remain fresh and vibrant in all your ways. Never take anything for granted. Always say thank you, and in everything you do, enter with an attitude of gratitude.
   
   Show gratitude for another day to breathe, to dream and to fulfill the vision for your life. Hug and kiss your family. Embrace your friends. Cherish your clients. Adore your associates. Write cards. Send positive email communications. Distribute social media comments that lift.
   
   With every moment that you live - make your life an overwhelming expression of thankfulness for being given the most awesome privilege to become the ‘best you’ possible throughout your lifetime here on planet earth. For you were born for a time such as this. It is no mistake. You have a divine appointment with destiny.
5. Pursue your passion with 111% enthusiasm
   We're all passionate about something. Trouble is that most of us are so focused on earning a living that our passions are often brushed aside.
   
   But to truly enjoy your life's journey it is imperative that you take time out to identify your strengths and invest time in the pursuit of your passions - the projects, the desires, and the sparks that lights you up on the inside. Then go pursue them with 111% effort and focus.
   
   Don't allow the distractions of life to detract you from your life mission.
   
   P is for progress, power, productivity, profitability, purposefulness, and it's all wrapped up into living a life filled with the pursuit of your passion.

Motivational Memo: Untighten the screws, let down your hair and find a reason to celebrate your life today!

Beetroot juice gives stamina a boost

Drinking beetroot juice boosts your stamina, concludes a new study, which adds that the magical drink can help you exercise for up to 16 percent longer. 

The University of Exeter led-study has for the first time shown how the nitrate contained in beetroot juice leads to a reduction in oxygen uptake, making exercise less tiring. 

The study reveals that drinking beetroot juice reduces oxygen uptake to an extent that cannot be achieved by any other known means, including training. 

To reach the conclusion, research team conducted their study with eight men aged between 19 and 38. They were given 500ml per day of organic beetroot juice for six consecutive days before completing a series of tests, involving cycling on an exercise bike. On another occasion, they were given a placebo of blackcurrant cordial for six consecutive days before completing the same cycling tests. 

After drinking beetroot juice the group was able to cycle for an average of 11.25 minutes, which is 92 seconds longer than when they were given the placebo. This would translate into an approximate 2 percent reduction in the time taken to cover a set distance. The group that had consumed the beetroot juice also had lower resting blood pressure. 

The researchers are not yet sure of the exact mechanism that causes the nitrate in the beetroot juice to boost stamina. However, they suspect it could be a result of the nitrate turning into nitric oxide in the body, reducing the oxygen cost of exercise. 

The research has been published in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Top ten sex romps

Are you always complaining that your sex life is running out of steam? Well, what's stopping you from getting adventurous and innovative? Charge up your sex life using this list of the 10 craziest places to fool around...or you could get inspired and think of a few of your own! 

1. On the couch: After the bed, the couch in the living room is screaming for attention. And the best part...it's comfy too. The cushions work as a support system to get those curves and arches to enjoy the perfect moves, while the lack of space will keep up the intimacy levels. Want some more action? Put on a wild flick on video and you have a perfect mood maker!
Word of caution: Watch out your moves, going out of control is injurious...for the couch of course!

2. In the bathtub: Things can get real hot even in a cool bath tub. For the ultimate romantic experience, arrange for a bubble bath with aromatic rose petals and passion perfume. Add some mood lighting, splash a few drops of 'ylang ylang' essential oil and be certain that the sensuous experiment will lead to some supah hot sex.
Word of caution: Check out the water temperature, you don't want to end up with painful blisters or a frozen lover...isn't?

3. In the kitchen: Be it 91/2 Weeks or Fatal Attraction , the kitchen has borne witness to quite a number of sexapades. The sturdy surfaces and shelves offer great support, especially for stand-up acts, while the feeling of being at an unconventional place pumps up the excitement to newer heights. And how can you miss the yummy treats your kitchen is loaded with? Eat them, but off each other's hot bods. Think chocolate, cream, jams and jellies!
Word of caution: Know the stuff you are eating and applying...some edibles are good only to eat. So watch out for allergies!

4. In the pool: Though not many are privileged to have one in the confines of their home, if you are one of the lucky few, make the most of it. Challenge your swimming skills and get under for into some underwater escapades. Who said that the inflatable water turtle is meant only for tanning, use it for some steamy adventure...ride it together and get a new high!
Word of caution: You need not be swimming champs, but fairly decent floating skills are definitely expected to get into the water-y fun.

5. In the car: Yes it's crammed, but it's cosy too. A quickie in the backseat can rekindle the excitement that you felt during your heady college days. Put on some romantic retro tracks and switch on the AC. Don't fret, it won't cool down the passion. When the place is different, the position can't be a drab. It's tough to adjust facing each other, but turning the world around can definitely help...hope you got the clue!
Word of caution: Just be careful where you park...you don't want to get busted!

6. In the dressing room: How about catching her unawares in the dressing room of a store? Sounds dangerous but thrilling too! The fear of getting caught will only add to the sensual experience, while the lack of time is perfect to give you a never before quickie. Thinking comfort? Sorry! All you have is a stool...let him stand as you take charge!
Word of caution: Making noise is not allowed here and do take care of hidden cameras and key-holes.

7. The stairs: If you are thinking they can be a pain to one's body, think again, as they can be adventurous too. After all, they can give you those highs and lows, especially when the girl is comparatively short.
Word of caution: Don't get really aggressive if getting cramps in your lower back is not on your mind.

8. On the roof : Yes, this can be a great playground; the gentle moonlight, a cool breeze to caress your passionate entwinings. Pep it up with some paper lamps or scented candles and light music, which will just add to the mood. You have all the space to set the ball rolling...so go ahead and explore her contours under a starry sky.
Word of caution: No physical risks are involved...but just take care of peeping Toms around.

9. In a sleeping bag: Nothing could bring you as close as that sleeping bag that's meant for a single person and is loaded with two! Why not get into some naughty action and add to a fun-filled camping trip? Instead of the normal position, turn around and have some fun from behind. Talk about kinky fantasies!
Word of caution: Zip the bag properly, you don't want end up killing insects in the mid of the act.

10. On a plane: You can try the toilet and if that's too cramped, the seat in a Business or First class cabin. Some airliners with long-haul flights now boast of recliner seats that go as flat as a bed. Take a flight of fantasy.
Word of caution: Don't try it if you already have flight phobia and take care of people lining-up outside the loo.

Facebook to hold 'Hackers Cup'

Facebook

SAN FRANCISCO: Facebook is challenging software hotshots around the world to show their mettle in the online social networking king's first "Hackers Cup."

Facebook is taking its tradition of all-night "hackathons" to a higher level with an international coding competition promising top contenders cash, glory, and a free trip to the company's Northern California headquarters.

The contest consists of a set of online rounds that kick off in January and a final round in March held at Facebook's campus in the Silicon Valley city of Palo Alto .

Facebook will pay for the top 25 contestants in the online rounds to come to California for the final stage of the competition.

The first place finisher is promised 5,000 dollars and will no doubt catch the eye of recruiters at Facebook. Details about the contest can be found at a Hackers Cup page at Facebook.

Michael Jordan's 10 Secrets To Reaching the Top

Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player that ever lived. Was he genetically predisposed to be faster and stronger, or was it his iron discipline that was responsible?

 He competed against people that were taller, stronger, faster, and younger than him. Despite the challenges he still came out on top. Let's take a look at the grains of wisdom that put him at the top of his game as well as his businesses.

Michael Jordan's 10 Success Secrets

1. Take Responsibility

    "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."

   Throughout his life, Michael Jordan had the honorable quality of taking responsibility for his own destiny. That means that he took action while others paused to ask questions, gather more data, or consult experts. Not that he didn't have mentors, but essentially it was his wrists that snapped the ball into the hoop.
2. Give It A Try

    "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."

   One of the biggest causes of procrastination is the problem of hesitation. Sometimes people over think, and over analyze, which prevents them from taking that first step that will carry them one thousand miles. If you want to increase sales by trying a new technique, you will never know unless you try. This can apply to baking cakes, meeting singles, or anything that you can wrap your mind around.
3. Fail Freely

    "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

   Can you believe that Michael Jordan missed so many shots and lost so many games? I thought he was the best! Well, he is indeed the best, and it's because he was willing to fail, and keep going. That allowed him to get past his plateaus and persevere. That's another big reason for procrastination. When we think we'll fail, we do not attempt. A good solution is to consider what the worst case scenario of failing would be, because once you do that, it's never as bad as when the scenario was an unknown. Worst-case scenario is not that you'll die, it's that you lived a miserable (or comfortable) life as a coward.
4. Commit Yourself

    "The game is my wife. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace."

   Till death do we part, just me and my goal. I know in my heart that this is my role. When you give yourself fully and remove all other distractions you gain an invaluable level of attention to detail that will pool in resources you did not know you were capable of harnessing.
5. Enjoy Your Game

    "Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game."

   So many people get stuck in dead end, zero-sum, no fun jobs because they didn't find their love, or just simply don't have the knack for taking pleasure in what they have. Consider the fact that you spend more time in your place of work than you do in your place of worship and with your family combined. By not being excited about, or getting full enjoyment out of work, you are cheating yourself from having a life of design and a life of fulfillment. I don't have a solution for your life, but I think you know which sacrifices you need to make, and are willing to make, in order to have the life of your dreams become your reality.
6. Play To Win

    "I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win."

   Why bother playing the game of basketball, work, or life if you aren't planning to win? Do you even know what a statistically relevant way of measuring your personally defined "win" would look like? If you're in the game to make money does winning mean being the richest man in the world? If you're in the game for your family does that mean that you see them often and share the joys of life over a vibrant laugh? Whatever your game is, make sure you define what a win looks like, and play to win.
7. Be Selfish and Humble

    "To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don't isolate."

   Take notes from Michael Jordan, first be selfish until you get on top, and once you are on top be humble and grounded. Being selfish in how you jump over people and slam dunk in their face, whether you are an athlete or business person. In a family setting this would mean taking care of your personal health before worrying about the well-being of your family. If you let your health fail you are of no use, or even worse a burden, to your family. This is why in case of an air plane emergency they tell you to put the air mask on yourself first and then on your children.
8. Find Your Way Around

    "Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."

   Anything in life that is dear to us is worth so much because of the time and effort we put into acquiring it. This goes for championships, businesses, and most importantly our relationships. One thing that determines how hard we've had to work is the amount of obstacles that were thrown in our way. Next time there's an obstacle, don't let it hinder you, think about the fact that whatever you're trying to reach will be that much worth it on the other side.
9. Make Your Own Expectations

    "If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome."

   The number one thing that will literally ruin your life is if you live it by someone else's expectations. Every single person is different and has their own views on what's best, which follows what their goals are in this life. By listening to the voices of others, instead of your own voice, you are effectively submitting to live your life for the sake of accomplishing their goals. Set your own expectations, meet your own goals, and live your own extraordinary life (or don't).
10. Now, Take One Shot

     "I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot . . . when you think about the consequences you always think of a negative result."

    The way this applies to life is quite simple. Much of the time we look too far into the future, while performing a task that needs our full attention right now. This act could take away our focus, paralyze us from taking action, and take away the pleasure of doing what is at hand. In life you can take one shot at a time, then another, and from this all your dreams will come true. At least that's what works for Michael Jordan.

Effective Ways To Backup Important Data

The other day my computer made a really unhealthy gurgling sound. To be honest, I feared the worst and spent half the day backing up my hard drive. It's beyond me as to why I choose to wait until the last minute to create back ups. I think it goes without saying that this should be done automatically every day, or at least every week.

Truth be known, I believe that most computer users neglect PC backups; then the worst happens.

I'm not a tech geek and make do with the things that work for me. Below is a list of backup options I'm currently using. Since I'm pretty compulsive about losing my backup, there are backups of backups. To me, one can never be too sure about keeping data safe.

• Google Docs/ Zoho
  I use Google Docs and Zoho. This means, I move the documents online to keep them safe and away from my hard drive. I feel this works really well as it keeps my hard drive uncluttered most of the time and therefore faster. If I need something fast, I know where to get it.
  
  If you wonder why I keep this data online and not on an external hard drive, it is simply for convenience reasons. Having the data online allows me to access it from any computer in the world.
  
  You can upload many different formats to Google Docs and Zoho. I prefer Zoho, since they also support zip files which is great to compact storage.
• USB
  I don't use USB memory sticks as a real backup but I do use them to transfer some files from A to B. While you could use these for backup purposes, I like to use USB storage for portability purposes instead.
• CD and DVD
  To be honest, I only use these for my photos. I don't even keep all of my photos on CD's; most of them are stored on a secondary hard drive. They are convenient because you can easily share them with your friends and family when you travel if you want to leave a CD full of pictures behind.
  
  By the way, you can do this with memory sticks too. Next time you visit family or friends, why not take a 1GB memory stick with your photos for them. They make a great present and allow your loved ones to print out what they like.
• Online Storage
  I have recently signed up with an online storage provider. I use Mozy for this and will be backing up my files over the next week or so. The only drawback to this is the initial backup; it takes ages. Most likely it will take a week for all my gear and that alone freaks me out a bit to be honest.
  
• External hard drive
  This is my favorite form of backup. I actually have two external hard drives. One being a portable and light one, the other a massive monstrous thing with some 500GB. While external hard drives are great to have peace of mind, they too could die for sure. That is why I own two of them and between them and my online backup, I should really be 100% covered.
  
  I guess some of you are not as freaked out like me when it comes to backup and to be honest, except for the photos, everything else is replaceable. At least most of it.
• Software
  Most computers these days come with their own built in backup software.
• Blog backup
  To backup my Cosmic Cottage blog, I use a really cool Plugin called WP DB Backup. This Plugin is so cool, it allows me to backup to the server, whenever I like. Even better, it lets me schedule email or server based backups so that I don't have to think about them.
  
  Usually after I create a new niche blog, I back the blog up to the server. Then I set the scheduled backup and leave it be knowing I'll always have an up to date copy of my blog available if something goes wrong.