While we're all focused on the Winter Olympics, let's go for the gold ourselves. This sort of gold, however, is more long-term than the Games are. And we'll be in good shape for a whole year, year after year.

No matter what we do, no matter how hard we work, and no matter how conscientious we are, each of us has exactly the same amount of time is usually not enough! So managing time and making the most of it is essential to happiness and well-being.

The G O L D Principle is a mnemonic that can help us take control of time. G - O - L - D represents four simple steps for managing time:

Goals.

Set goals for today, tomorrow, the rest of the week, and for the month. For example: my goal is to tackle the attic once and for all.

TODAY (Saturday): I will get cartons from the groceries.
TOMORROW (Sunday): label the cartons with categories for clutter-disposal: thrift shop, public library, garbage, recycling.
MONDAY: take cartons to appropriate places.
TUESDAY: Call Salvation Army, church, thrift shop etc. to take away unwanted furniture.
FOLLOWING WEEKEND: Straighten out attic.
NEXT MONTH: Tackle basement in the same way.

Organize your priorities.

Become aware of the categories relevant to your life: home, school, work, social life, upcoming events, money matters, heath issues, diet, exercise,

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etc. This aspect of GOLD is a contemplation. You might want to write down the categories.

List your tasks.

For each category, create a prioritized 'to do' list.
EXAMPLE: tax preparation can start on January
1. Create folders for your deductibles and file away your receipts as you get them. At the end of the month, you can complete your bookkeeping for that month. At the end of the year, you will have 12 sums to add up in each category. Much easier than 400 slips of paper in a shoebox! You'll be in good shape for tax time.

Do it!

Now is the time to go for the G O L D.

Joyce Cohen is a leading figure in the field of career development and life planning. She consults with organizations of all sizes and leads seminars on career management, mentoring, learning organizations, creative aging, retirement planning, growth and renewal, and other topics related to successful life planning.

Joyce can be reached at joyce@u-wisdom.com "Questions and comments are invited. I'd enjoy hearing about your experiences and ventures. As space allows and with your permission, comments will be shared with other readers. Joyce can be reached at joyce@u-wisdom.com The opinions expressed are the author's and not necessarily those of connpost.com. Comments for Post: Carol Dauber cdauber@ctpost.com