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Lately, I've been watching the very public rise and rise of a lovely girl I've known since she was seven. For years now, she has been working towards her visions for life and her goals and at barely 20 years old, she is already a veteran of the Miss Universe pageant, has competed in Celebrity Apprentice donating $100,00 to her favourite charity and appears regularly on morning television. The biggest difference between her and the rest of us (dismissing her genetically endowed statuesque height and gorgeous personality of course!) is her ability to overcome procrastination and get on with the job at hand.

We too, can have our own big successes if we can just stick tight to our plans and take action every single day. (Strangely, many of us find this a little more difficult than it sounds). We could all do with a little help, right?

The 7 Top Tips for solving the pest of procrastination

1. Design your Vision Board. This is by far the most important thing you can ever do in life to ensure you get where you want to go. You can't reach your destination if you don't know where you are headed. Likewise, I have to really and truly WANT this thing, and be motivated to do anything and everything to succeed. This is what will get us up and moving in the morning. I like to find a rarely used wall in my office or even behind the door, the bigger the space the better, to display large photos, tear sheets from magazines, quotes and illustrations. In the very centre of this, I use my best handwriting to draw and fill in a spider web-like map (semantic map) with eight legs. The legs are named: career, family, travel, health (food and exercise comes in under this one), adventure, charity, volunteering and community (which includes friends and events). Once a year in late November or so, I write the specific actions I will need to do in the coming year to edge closer to my goals. On each point, I set an 'end date' by which I must have completed these. I make a point to review this Vision Board every night as the last thing I do before bed. With my vision planned, it is time to get down to work.

2. Buy yourself a diary. Not just any diary, but one that displays a weekly overview in vertical columns. (Most diaries use horizontal displays. Ditch this and go for the other). Position this in a prominent spot on your desk, right next to your computer. It needs to be the first thing you see when you open your office door.

3. Set ONE big goal for the day. On a Sunday night, I look at my vision board to determine what needs to be done to move forward and then break that down into small manageable steps of what I can do in one day, (or even one block of time) for the upcoming seven days. I write these actions at the VERY TOP of each daily column in my diary. No matter when I do it, or what else is on that day, this is the only thing I MUST complete. When I hold this action in my consciousness, and it is written on paper for all to see, I become very motivated and also encouraged to tick the thing of my list. I've learned over the years to do this thing straight up. The longer I leave it, the more likely 'life' will get in the way of my good intention. If it is something I'm afraid of, or really don't feel like doing, taking action first thing prevents me from finding excuses or building up an abundance of anxiety that may just stop me in my tracks.

4. In your diary, block out chunks of time (an hour is sufficient but three hours is even better) across your working week. When this times rolls around, get to work. Know what you need to do, and Do It. For example, my blocked out time is from 9-10.30 every morning. I set up my three-year old son with books, blocks, a snack or two, his drink bottle and as it is a regular part of his daily rhythm, he happily plays for the time, knowing mum is close by, leaving me to work in peace. Alternatively, you might try swapping babysitting duties with a next-door neighbour or a grandparent to lock in some weekly free time. It doesn't matter how your organise your block so long as you take action when it is due.

5. Use a big red pen to tick off everything you do. This visual trick works wonders in building self-confidence and a 'can do' attitude. When we believe in ourselves and have evidence of our ability to reach small goals, the more passion and get-go we have to kick the final goal.

6. Gather your own cheer squad. Find supportive friends who believe in you and tell them of your plans. (I find other motivated do-ers are the best bet) And share your successes with them too. A big majority of the population wants their friends and family to succeed, if for no other reason than it spurs them on to greater good too.

7. Exercise and eat well. This might seem like a strange inclusion on a list of tips to overcome procrastination but I know from years of experience that when I make time to exercise every morning (I often just use my front step for my own Michael Jackson-accompanied aerobic class!) and eat wholesome, healthy food for 80% of the day, I feel better and have more energy to follow my dreams. And I'm way more inclined to put in the necessary efforts. If I don't, it's too easy to be slug-like in front of the television or while away my days with my favourite magazines.

Go on. Take action now. What are you waiting for? Your dreams are in seed and ready for you to help them grow!!!

Amber Greene's mission in life is to help women and children around the world 'Fire up their Creative Spark!" For details, visit http://www.mamamoontime.com Amber's professional background is over 15 years experience in teaching children under six and working with parents to find creative solutions to challenges at home and school. Amber offers parenting support and "Creative Parenting" courses and will soon launch her Ebook on effective and creative strategies for raising young children born out of this work. Amber's passion is the creative process and helping everyone to rediscover their artist within. Amber offers free art and crafty activities for both mama and child at http://www.mamamoontime.com

By Amber L Greene
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