Paula Eder, The Time Finder Expert

In last month's Finding Time E-zine we started to explore the baggage that we all carry -- messages and myths about time that we learned when we were younger. But things you learned and believed 10, 15, 30 or more years ago won't necessarily serve you well today. So what I'd like to do is give you a tool that you can use over and over to shine a light on some of your own, personal time myths.

Your history, your family values, and the behaviors you observed as a child all contribute to the ideas and feelings that you bring to your time today.

I am not afraid of big projects at all, but where I get stuck is in knowing when I am finished. Sometimes I miss a deadline, not because I haven’t done my work, but because I am still editing and polishing it. I want to do the best job I can – so how do I know when I'm done?

Once you start moving toward your goals, how do you maintain your momentum? The key – and what I'd like to explore in the exercise that follows – is to give yourself what you need. And you can do that by creating your own, personal Empowered Compassion™ Toolbox.

Whatever your age, and whatever tasks you have on your to-do list, do you sometimes find it difficult to stay energized and on track? What do you do when you feel stuck and discouraged? What helps YOU get moving again? Listen for some ideas from The Time Finder ...

I like my job well enough. It's comfortable and I'm good at it, but it's no longer very challenging. I worry that I'm stagnating. Meanwhile, my dream is to start a Doggie Day-Care Center with a good friend. Can you give me some help with navigating this decision?

In today's world, there's often a great deal of pressure to act quickly – and sometimes that's wise and important. Other times you're better served if you step back and slow down. But how do you determine which course is more helpful in any given situation?

When you make a decision you set your course. Depending on the size of it, you may just be plotting your path for the next moment, or you may be determining your direction for many weeks and months to come. So how do YOU decide?

Navigating transitions is difficult, and there is no magic formula or one-size-fits-all answer. It's a skill that you develop over time with mindful attention, patience, and practice.

Your schedule is so powerful, when you let it be personal! It's where you bring your time and your energy together. Think of it as the container you create to hold your days and nurture what you value.

There's no doubt that schedules are very helpful if they are rooted in your core values and your actual situation, but how do you do that?

How do you manage others' outworn expectations of you and stay true to your own goals, dreams and vision of success?

When you know how you view success you are in sync with yourself and your values. Your time is spent on what matters most to you!

Success is a concept that we all probably think we understand … right up until we sit down and attempt to define it for ourselves. Then success becomes a more complicated idea.

Some assume that fundamental differences must weaken relationships, but I think that's a fallacy. Couples can and do thrive when they approach these challenges creatively.

We each have within us unique and dynamic energies that too often go unnoticed and untapped. Today's exercise is all about letting your own personal dance of shifting energies revitalize your life!

Your personal time rhythms are potent. When you tap them it's like plugging into a power source.

No matter who it is that you are dealing with, assertive priorities are essential for healthy relationships.

As you grow older, how do you balance it all, as sometimes disconcerting changes introduce new demands and possibilities? This is the perfect time to assertively prioritize. To get yourself started, use the following 3 Tips to support, deepen, and expand your ongoing evolution.

You possess all the necessary capacity to plan skillfully and make successful choices with your time. All it takes is learning how – and it's never too late for that!