Thanks @catspyjamasnz

So, then, why haven’t I been writing? It’s not a lack of passion. It’s not lack of time – other mothers have written several books during nap times.

So what is it?

I simply decided that, for a period, I wanted to do other things. I don’t have to do everything. In fact, I can’t possibly do everything I want to; at least, not all right now. So it’s very important to choose what I DO want to do with my time, right now. There will be other times when I can do other things, but right now there are only 24 hours in the day, and it’s up to me what I do with them.

I read a wonderful affirmation recently: “I have all the time in the world”. It’s true. I have all the time there is: it’s up to me to choose what best to do with it.

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

- author unknown.

I’ve always believed that anyone can get straight As – they just need to learn the study skills so they know what they need to do, then put enough time aside to do it.

Some people are taught the right study skills in high school, which gives then a head start; some people have to learn for themselves when they hit uni – but they can be learnt, and fairly easily, too.

Colin used the GTD system to manage the time side – I use GTD too and love it – but any time management system that works for you (as long as it really does work for you) is fine.

How can you tell if your time management is working for you? Easy: are you getting the things that matter to you done? If so, cool. If something’s slipping – work, health, assignments, quality time with family, life goals – then it needs tweaking.

Click to view original.  Source: http://xkcd.com/557/

I don’t know about you, but when I have this dream, it’s usually a sign I’m procrastinating on something I know I need to get doing

Diff between a Social Media guru and the rest of the word is that the guru talks about grandma’s proverbs as if they are new”social rules”.

• Where the life is: there are 2 ends of Ohakune – the main street (which you drive through as you come into Ohakune), & the Junction (down the other end by the railway line). Traditionally the nightlife has been down at the Junction, but some nice pubs & restaurants have opened up on the main street now, too.
• Top pub: My favourite is the the Powderkeg, on the ground floor of the Powderhorn Chateau at the Junction. Margareta’s (otherwise known as Margie’s), around the corner at the other end of the Junction, is good, too.
• Top restaurant: for lunches, I like the Powerkeg or Margie’s (for the log fires, as much as the food). For dinners, the Italian restaurant a few doors down from the Powerkeg is good. The Matterhorn Restaurant, upstairs at the Powerhorn, has a nice quiet ambiance, but is a bit more expensive. But there’s lots of other nice places too.
• Top place to stay: a ski club – no contest. You usually have to go with members, and the accomodation is probably bunk rooms, but the atmosphere is great, and you’ll meet lots of other people. If that’s not an option, I like the Powerderhorn. The rooms are nice, but a bit small. The Chateau Tongariro, at Whakapapa, is lovely downstairs, and the rooms are nice enough, but it’s not as flash at is once was (although I think they’re doing it up). You can also rent many private chalets for the weekend – ask at the Information centre on the main street.
• Top ski & gear hire: on the mountain, on both Turoa and Whakapapa. 2nd choice – the Powderhorn. I don’t have shares in it, I promise!
• Top place to buy a ski pass: on the mountain. If you want to buy one in advance, you can do so at the ski hire places in Ohakune. If the mountain is closed on the day, you can usually get a bit of a refund (check first).
• Top thing to do if the mountain’s closed: Hot pool – the easy option is the hot pool downstairs at the Powderhorn. A better option but longer drive is the natural hot pools at Tokaanu, about 15 minutes from Turangi. They have private pools as well as the big outside pools. Also check out the army museum at Waiuru, or a short bush walk – there’s some easy ones near the DOC (Department of Conservation) stations at the bottom of the Mountain Road at Turoa and just above the Chateau at Whakapapa.
• Top way to get up the mountain: if you’re not used to driving in ice & snow, take a bus! The Whakapapa shuttle leaves opposite the Chateau, and the Turoa one leaves from the Powderkeg, I think – check at the information center. Much less hassle, especially when you’re exhausted from an awesome day on the mountain.

** Please remember ** that the weather can change very quickly – a storm can come up in half an hour, and just 2 weeks ago many people were trapped on the mountain overnight. It’s not like Europe, which has more predictable weather, and more accessible ski fields – the roads to the ski fields are steep with lots of tight corners.

Please go prepared with gear for a very cold day, even if it’s sunny. People leave gear in the cafes up the mountain – you’ll see the bags stashed away under stairs or on hooks outside. Don’t leave valuables in them, but usually your things will be perfectly safe.

Have a great time!

Look around: if you have piles of “stuff” and you don’t know where to put it … watch out – the SPCC (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Clutter) might be on your tail! Find homes for all that poor stuff now!

Why: stuff without a home will lie on your tables, floors and shelves, begging for attention and cluttering up your home.

How to find your stuff a home in 3 easy steps:

If something is just lying around because you don’t know where to put it –

1. Pick it up.

2. Decide if it is (a) useful or (b) beautiful. If not, give it to a home that loves it. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind.

3. If it’s useful or beautiful, find a home for it, close to where you use it.

• If you use it often, put it somewhere handy.
• If you hardly ever use it, repeat step 1 then, if you still have it, put it somewhere a bit harder to get at. If you haven’t used it in 6 months’ time, repeat step 1.
• If you think it’s beautiful, display it somewhere. If you have too much to display, repeat step 1. If you still have it, consider storing some things away and rotating what you display.

A note on notes: if you have piles of notes and assignments from old courses, consider carefully whether they will be useful to you in the future. If you think they will, file them away, and review in a year’s time. Next year it may seem basic – or out of date.

For any paperwork, consider going electronic for non-legal documents (for accounting, tax and legal documents keep the original safely).

Happy home hunting!