Finally, a day in my home alone!

I was looking forward to this uninterrupted time to think, write, and be more productive than I have been in a long while.

To that end, I have won three straight backgammon games against the computer.

Keeping myself on task always seems like such a struggle.

Of course, I worked out for an hour, being sure to include all major muscle groups, stretching, and 20 minutes of aerobic exercises. I ordered a new tarot deck, did research on the seven elements of life and transpersonal chakras, and I remembered to pay my quarterly taxes. I made several appointments and followed up on tasks for my upcoming workshops.

Hmmm, I guess it was a productive day after all.

Sometimes, I am so hard on myself that I forget to look at how much I have accomplished.

It���s easy when you have so much to do to forget to take a step back and see how much you���ve accomplished. When we only look forward, we are never done. Taking that few extra moments to notice how far you���ve come can bring you a bit of peace and, hopefully, think kinder thoughts about yourself.

There���s more to productivity than doing. There���s more to doing than actively accomplishing. The silence, the kind words we use toward ourselves, the more realistic expectations we set for ourselves all make for a very productive day.

How hard are you on yourself? There is always more to do, and there is always a need for playful rest (hence the online backgammon.)

When you are feeling down about your performance on any level, that is a sign to step back, take a deep breath, and remind yourself how far you���ve come and how far you will go, just not all at once.

Mary