1. Plan ahead.  Keep pantry staples list, keep gas tank at least ½ full, make copies of keys. Check it off.
2. Say NO!  Don’t over schedule your time with extra events, projects, or invitations.
3. Get up fifteen minutes earlier and/or go to bed fifteen minutes earlier.  Give yourself a big hug.
4. Don’t procrastinate.  Do it NOW! Schedule projects, events, vacations, or even dinners ahead of time.
5. Prepare for the morning the night before.  Plan the first hour or two of the next day.
6. Write it down!  Don’t rely on your memory.  Write each appointment on a calendar on in your PDA.
7. Learn.  Take a magazine, inspirational book or tapes/CDs with you to use while you wait.
8. Add $9.00. Buy an extra book of postage stamps.  Then your mail/bills won’t be delayed.
9. Get a good night’s sleep or take a short power nap on the weekend.  20 minutes of real rest is divine.
10. Ring, ring. Let the answering machine/message service take the call.  But promptly retrieve messages.
11. Slow down!  It is permissible to stop and smell the roses, swing in the park, swim or relax.
12. Simplify!  Enlarge your file 13 (garbage box) so that you keep the things that you only need.
13. Give gifts.  Give away good items that you no longer need or want.  Someone else may treasure it.
14. Make personal or family time a priority.  Build in some “me or us” time every day.
15. Make one night a week family fun.  Do something exciting with a member of your family.
16. Turn off the television/video games.  Tune into yourself and each other for real conversation.
17. Adopt a hobby.  Paint, build, exercise, practice an instrument, or make crafts together.
18. Schedule household assignments.  Create a simple reward system.  Create a checklist.
19. Volunteer!  Research and commit to a volunteer project. Share your time and talent.
20. Laugh, laugh, laugh!  Keep a jokes file or watch a funny movie.  Laughter is medicine for the soul.
21. Stretch.  Take mini stretch breaks after long meetings or sits.  Stretch and breathe deep.
22. Write weekly goals.  Look for gaps and over commitment.  Eliminate tension builders.
23. Use email or voice mail reminders to yourself and others to cut out any stress.
24. Enjoy a good meal or dessert or snack.  Don’t just rush.  Savor each flavor.
25. Take breaks.  Do NOT work through lunch.  It is important to leave your desk.
26. Look at your color choices.  If you see that your predominant color is neutral or black, add color!
27. Delegate.  Choose responsible people, designate specific tasks, and let it go.  Don’t micro-manage.
28. Journal.  Keep a journal.  You will be amazed at how much you achieved in a year.
29. Be a friend.  Care about others and lean on them for comfort too.  Confidential sharing relieves stress.
30. Vacation.  Plan relaxation days (bookend to a weekend) or plan a longer vacation to rest, relax, restore.
31. Visualize.  See your success in exact, vivid detail.  Plan what success is and looks like ahead of time.
32. Avoid negativity.  Negative people or situations should be avoided.  Maintain optimism.
33. Worry less.  Don’t deny your concerns, but spend minimal time worrying.  Decide what must be done.
34. Change.  If your routine is reflexive, you do the same things.  Change where you go or what you do.
35. Be private.  Allow time every day for privacy, quite time or solitude to reflect on what’s important.
36. Do the hardest first!  Get it out of the way so that you can pleasantly, leisurely enjoy the rest.
37. Count.  Count to fifty (50) before you speak.  Pausing a few minutes before an outburst saves anxiety.
38. Forgive.  Standardize your expectations of yourself and others.  Expecting perfection is stressful.
39. Smile.  Be optimistic and project joy.  You will feel good and so will others around you.
40. Gather loose change.  Count all of your coins and give yourself a treat.
41. Say Thank You!  Express gratitude.  Appreciate and recognize the goodness in others.
42. Make something.  Try origami; build a kite, ceramics, pottery.  Find a creative outlet.
43. Dance.  Turn on the music.  Dance, step lively for a few minutes a day.
44. Talk positive.  When your words are positive, encouraging others respond in kind.
45. Sing.  Let the melody flow.  Even if it is only in the shower, add vocal rhythm to your day.
46. Meditate.  Be still.  Listen to earth sounds, hear the birds chipper, connect with nature.
47. Cry.  Release tension with a good cry.  Let it all out and let it go. Then, smile and move on.
48. Try something new.  Candy-making, belly dancing, sign-language, fitness, weights, bike riding, skating.
49. Take a bath. No quick shower. Fill the tub with warm, soothing water and chill. Add aromatherapy.
50. Redlight.  While stopped at a red light, say to yourself, “I am happy” or “I am an achiever.”
51. Take a class.  If you are challenged in areas of your life, take a class. Learn something different.
52. Renew every day. BOSS or TOSS something in your life everyday and live anew.

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