School of Life

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I know this to be true. However, sometimes it's difficult to propel yourself forward when you've had a setback. The agent who offered me a contract on my novel, Murder in a Teacup, just up and left the agency for "personal reasons." Translation: Publication of my novel is back in square one. Now I have to get tough and get going. Know any agents?

Well Begun is Half Done

Well begun is half done. I agree. However, at times it is difficult to get started on a task. Sometimes the task seems so huge or tedious that we put it off until a "more convenient time." The fact is, this rarely works. So I apply my "nibble at the mountain" strategy. Here's how I apply it to various tasks:

• If I have to vacuum, I get the vacuum cleaner out and tell myself I'll just vacuum the hall. Invariably, I vacuum the whole living room.

• If I have to write a letter, I get out my stationery and a pen. I tell myself I'll just address the envelope and write the salutation. Usually I end up completing the letter.

• If I have to edit writing pieces for my writing group, I take out the first piece and tell myself I'll just edit page one. I almost always finish editing the whole piece.

I think when I give myself permission to just do a small part of a task, psychologically I'm willing to do more because I've convinced myself that I can stop whenever I wish. This way I prevent the job from becoming a drudgery.

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School of Life

Jean Paul Sartre, the French existentialist, believed there is salvation in action. I think it's true. Whenever my spirit droops, I move into action. I may take a walk. Start or finish a project. Do a mundane task like sweep the garage. My spirit always improves when I move into action.

Goals

New goals add excitement to life. They stimulate the brain and add zest to your days. It really doesn't matter what goals you set as long as they are something you really want to master. They can be short or long term, grandiose or tiny, complex or simple. The magic happens when you begin to work on them.

I've set three new goals for myself. First, I've decided to learn the guitar. I've almost mastered four chords and can play simple songs. Second, I purchased an iPhone and have already learned how to e-mail photographs and send text messages. Third, I am slowly but surely conquering our four television remotes.

With each little success, my confidence and excitement increases. Try it. Set a new goal.

Real Food Not Chemicals

Real food is easy to find. Here are some ways I choose foods.

• I choose foods from the perimeter of most grocery stores. That's where I usually find fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy products, and breads.

• I choose foods that do not have to be packaged in a sealed box or bag. I avoid prepared foods as much as possible.

• I choose foods that do not need labels in order for me to know what they are.

• I choose foods that contain ingredient names I can pronounce and that are familiar to me; not chemicals.

• I choose foods that only contain one to four ingredients and avoid foods with long lists of ingredients.

School of Life

Dump the junk. The human body is like an automobile. No matter how beautiful and shiny you keep the exterior, it'll turn into an old clunker if you don't maintain the engine. Dump the junk food. Maintain your body with lots of real food.