Year ending, year beginning (5)

What is something you put off in 2012 that you plan to do in 2013?

Your belongings (3)

Do you hesitate to throw things out? Are there things sitting around your home that you use less than once a month?

Waiting for better weather

If it's raining, you might postpone your outdoor chores. There's no need to get drenched, because a clear day will come soon enough. Similarly, most of us have things we intend to do but keep putting off, not because of the weather, but because of other external factors that we hope are going to become more favorable. What is one of those things that you've been putting off? And what would be the ideal set of circumstances that would convince you to stop delaying and start taking action?

This week's theme is ideal circumstances.

If I ever get a job at a zoo, I'll need this

There are many things we hesitate to part with because it seems like they might be useful to someone, someday, somehow. What is one admittedly far-fetched future scenario that you've used to justify holding on to something that you haven't used in years?

This week's theme is clutter.

In the mirror

What are some questions you think you should be asking yourself — questions you might be avoiding?

This week's theme is the questions you want to ask.

Hair and now

Do you get your hair cut or trimmed on a regular schedule? Do you have it done the moment it starts to get a bit shaggy, or out of shape, or do you put it off until your hair is long and needs a complete restyling? Do you go through periods of different hair lengths, and just cut it when you feel like it?

This week's theme is personal grooming.

Instead of

When you have something unexciting to do — say, balancing your checkbook or cleaning the cat litter — do you waste time to avoid getting to the tedious task? What kinds of ways do you waste time to avoid things like that?

This week's theme is wasting time.

Take a stand

What is something that you've been putting off that you could resolve with decisive action today?

This week's theme is procrastination.

A simpler plan

Remember that thing from yesterday — the project that you are reluctant to start? Is it simply too big a job for you? Is there an easier, simpler way to do it? How much could you scale back your expectations, and still get a workable outcome? How much could you gain by being willing to be flexible? What would you have to give up in order to be flexible on this particular project?

This week's theme is procrastination.

Got to be starting something

Think of one thing you are reluctant to get started on. Is your reluctance because you are not convinced that the reward will be worth the effort? Or is it because you're afraid that you'll fail, or that something bad could happen?

This week's theme is procrastination.

Counting down to putting things off

Take sixty seconds and try to list anything you are putting off doing. Think of the things that have been on your list for months (or even years!), the things you keep finding are less important than something else (like washing your dog or synching your iPad), or the things you know you should do, but for which you don't even have a plan. How many things did you come up with?

This week's theme is procrastination.

Procrastination

None of us have unlimited free time, so we all procrastinate to one degree or another. What are some areas of your life where you repeatedly put things off, or move them to the bottom of your to-do list? Are there areas of your life where you usually don't delay and can get things done in a timely manner?

This week's theme is procrastination.