Some time ago I attended a birthday party and met a young guy who just happened to be 30. I say young because when you're 47, that is a young age!

He told me about his career in a major corporate company where he's been working for the past 3 years.

John was complaining about the extremely long hours he works…sometimes from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. weekdays and often on weekends. He bemoaned the fact he was tired and stressed and so was everyone else he worked with.

I asked him why he continued working these hours and he answered "It's expected. People are being retrenched and those remaining want to keep their jobs".

He felt that if he didn't do these ridiculous hours he too would be out of work.

My next question was "what are you going to do about your situation to change it?". John responded with "nothing". He had no energy left to work on his own life.

I had also asked him if he had done any personal development courses and he replied he had participated in company run ones. He had never invested his own time and money doing anything external.

Take Control Yourself

I've found that those people who do not invest time and money in themselves and rely on their employer to pay for their development, dance to someone else's tune. They leave their future in someone else's hands.

In fact most people drift along in life taking whatever is dished out to them.

They cannot 'be bothered' investing any extra time, money or energy in themselves. It's much easier to float with the crowd.

Take Stock of Yourself

We're half way through another year. Have you achieved

You Have The Right Of Way
Every answer is a familiar phrase or title in the form of "____ of ____," where the word before "of" starts with the letter R. You are given the word that follows "of" and must come up with the phrase. For example, given "Saturn," the answer would be "rings."

French Game Draws Melange To New York City Park
Petanque originated in France and resembles the Italian lawn bowling game of bocce, but New Yorkers of all nationalities and professions gather in Bryant Park to join in. This version of the game started as an alternative sport for a player who became disabled, so people of all ages and abilities can participate.

The Long, Strange Journey Of Lefty O'Doul's Arm
The owners of Lefty O'Doul's bar in San Francisco received a mysterious package Tuesday filled with packing peanuts, photos, a typed letter -- and a left arm. It wasn't a real left arm, but a very famous one: It belongs to the mannequin at the entrance to Lefty O'Douls. And it was stolen three years ago.

Are you better off this year, than last year? Are you moving forwards or backwards in your life? Are you happy?

Are You Happy?

This is an interesting question to ask yourself. Are you going through the motions of living day-day or are you excited about where you are heading?

The Final Word

If you want to be the leader of your life rather than the follower, you'll need to take action. And when do you take action? Right now.

If you don't know where to head off to, get yourself a life coach. You will be amazed at how quickly you will move forward in the right direction.

Don't need help? Can do it by yourself? That's great. Then what are you waiting for?

Get moving today.

Lorraine Pirihi, principal of The Office Organiser (http://www.office-organiser.com.au) is Australia's Personal Productivity Coach

Lorraine specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity, reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life.

We Offer a Broad Range of Services and Products including:

• Coaching for small business owners and professionals

• Keynote presentations and workshops

• Books, CD's, DVD's and on-line learning programs

Take action today! Contact Lorraine to discuss your specific needs at lorraine@office-organiser.com.au