How to get it all done

Be motivated. Time is a gift. Manage your time wisely. Be grateful. Work hard because you want to. Do what you love. Be organized. Don't overbook. Be realistic, but with a positive mindset focused on solutions and finding more efficient ways to get the job done. If you find out you made a mistake, correct it immediately and find a lesson in it so you don't make the same mistake again. Don't beat yourself up. Believe in yourself, and others will, too. Stand your ground, but don't be rude about it. Be firm and honest. Set clear expectations. Be available. Vent when you need to, but don't make complaining a habit. Get it out, then move on. Treat people with respect, but respect your own time. Don't spend too much time with grumpy people. Attempt to solve their issue, but if all they want to do is make unreasonable demands, thank them for their suggestions, and get back to work. If you're thinking nonstop, start thinking about better ways to solve problems, because problems will arise. Be ready to act quickly and wisely, respecting the needs of others, but focusing on a team effort to reach the resolution best for everyone involved. Communicate early and often. Then communicate some more. Communication itself solves problems before they snowball into disasters. Don't be afraid of people's reactions. If it needs to be said, say it. Be direct, but don't let your emotions turn your own reaction into another problem you have to clean up. Remain calm and rational. Don't ruminate on other people's faults. We all have faults. Find out if there's a way you can help them improve, and if it's not clear yet, just let them be, and work on your own faults. Always be learning. Strive for improvement daily. Be open to new ideas. Love people, including yourself. Resolve to be happy, no matter what. Look forward to the next good thing. Enjoy this very moment. If that's not possible, push through the hard part with determination to get to the part where your hard work and quick thinking solved the problem and led to a new and improved solution. Find out what you like and are also good at, and do that, no matter what others may think. You have to know what you want to get it. Then you have to do what it takes to keep it. Don't let small things become big things. Discover yourself, accept who you are, and become who you want to be. Darby Hinkley is Community Editor at The Alpena News. Reach her at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com.