ACTION

Here is a helpful acronym to use to regularly check in on the status of your ACTION.

A - Awareness. Be aware of what needs to be done. Lots of things come at you throughout the day like flies to a plate of food at a picnic. Being aware that this is a fact of life and will happen no matter how we think or feel about it will keep us from being distracted from what is important.

C - Clarify priorities. Of the long laundry list of items to handle, decide which are the most important to do at this time. Focus on only those things.

T - Task list. Create a task list for your priority items. List tasks in sequential order. Use this list to keep help you re-focus. Keep the list in front of you and refer to regularly throughout the day.

I - Improvement. Consider what can be improved as you complete your tasks. Modify your process/system to be more efficient the next time you work on your tasks. 

O - Overwhelm. When you become overwhelmed (and you will from time to time), step away, take a break, clear your head, read or listen to something that will re-energize and re-motivate you. Then, get back to work.

N - Nates. Get off your nates and celebrate! You worked hard. Reward yourself.