I wonder what the month of May will have in store for you. Perhaps you are looking forward to bit of extra time off work with the two Bank Holidays at either end of the month? Maybe you will be hoping to book your summer holiday, tidy up the garden, spend more time with the children or just enjoy some ‘me time’?

What is the likelihood of you planning these activities, only to find you never actually achieve what you set out to do? Cast your mind back to those New Year’s resolutions you made back in January—be honest with yourself, have you actually stuck to them?

This month’s newsletter focuses on the P word: PROCRASTINATION!     

Thoughts for the month: The best way to get something done is to begin. Anon To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing. Eva Young Never leave until tomorrow that which you can do today. Benjamin Franklin Like to contribute ...? I am interested in all feedback and comments to this newsletter. I also welcome any offers of   collaboration or inclusion  of promotional articles. To discuss any contribution   please contact me through  the channels below. My contact details Pavlenka Small Small Steps to Success Tel : 01206 299073 pav@smallsteps2success.co.uk     Email contact form here	What aspects of your life are you putting on hold until the time is right? Will that time ever reveal itself to you?! At least 95% of us procrastinate at least occasionally and about 15 to 20% of us do ‘it’ consistently. There are even historical records going back 3,000 years of people procrastinating, the term originating from the Latin:- Procrastinus which loosely translated means ‘forward to tomorrow’. So for those of you reading this, here are some tips on how to overcome letting the P word get in your way of achieving those dreams, goals and desires. 6 small steps to overcoming procrastination List the pluses and minuses of doing the task you are putting off.If there are more pluses than minuses move to step 2 (If there are more minuses ask yourself honestly, why you feel you need to do that task)   Break the task up into smaller, manageable tasks and do just one small thing towards achieving your goal. The old saying ‘every journey begins with just one step’ is most relevant when tackling procrastination.   Identify any barriers you might encounter in interfering with your goal . By doing so you can are closer to finding a solution before you become discouraged.   Identify what negative thoughts hold you back from tackling whatever it is you are avoiding doing. For example, ‘there is no point in me doing this as I failed once before.’ Or, ‘there is so much to do I don’t know where to start.’ (Go back to step 2!). Instead, adopt positive thoughts. Be aware you can only control your effort and not the outcome. Tell yourself you will only fail if you abandon trying. Take time to imagine how you will feel when you have achieved the task, even though getting there may seem daunting.   Work out how you can measure your success and ask for the support of at least one other person. This will give you a sense of accountability for your actions.   Finally, aim to give yourself a reward for your progress as you travel along the path towards achieving your goal.   So what are you waiting for? Abolish the P in your life today! On a lighter note, I’d like to share this ‘recipe’ with you. Recipe against procrastination   Preparation time:-30mins Ingredients 1 full pot of water 1 tsp of oblivion 2 kilos of awareness ½ kilo of enthusiasm ½ kilo of passion 1 pen 1 blank book Method Throw away all your outdated cookery books Take your blank book and write up this recipe to be used as/when necessary Heat the water over a medium heat and add the oblivion & awareness Toss in the enthusiasm and passion, stirring continuously. Cook until well blended Drink one glass every day first thing in the morning!! Progress report on our African Project .... Here are details about this project, for those of you who have recently subscribed to my newsletter. I am helping a client achieve her dream of raising funds to make a ‘small difference to a chosen community in both Senegal and Ethiopia. I met Lynn during one of my ‘coach on the couch’ street appearances in Ipswich last summer. She came to me in a very stressed state as she had been nursing her terminally ill husband through cancer for some months. Not only was she exhausted and financially insecure, she has since been told the house she rents is to be demolished. Unfortunately her husband has since been taken off all medication as there is nothing else the medics can do for him. He has chosen to end his days alone in an unknown location in Scotland. Needless to say, this is a very stressful time for Lynn. We have been progressing with contacts and we are currently researching all the necessary steps to set up a charity. My sponsored slim is going well (16lbs lost so far), so keep your pledges coming in, no matter how small; every penny will help a community in Senegal & Ethiopia!”   Have a good and productive month.
Small Steps to Success May 2009 Newsletter. Pavlenka Small. Steps to Success. 2 Elm Cottages. Mission Lane. East Bergholt. Colchester. Essex. CO7 6XH.