Happy New Year! I trust that so far you are well into the swing of January! Here are a few short notes to keep you on track as we start running into 2008. You'll see that I'm keeping the information short and sweet in this eZine. For the full article, you can always find them at my website www.RoomToBreathe.org

What do you mean it's GO Month? I'm always going!

Welcome back from the lazy relaxed slide of Holidays to the New Year! Many of us seem to be lulled into the cold quiet of winter, huddled in our offices or homes waiting for spring to arrive when it is easier to be productive. Well, my friends, now is the time to start.

I know, it still isn't light out when you wake up and go to the office or the gym. Still, trust me on this one, you want to hit the ground running in January and start as you mean to go on.

Accountability Check-in:

One of my key words this year is "accountability." While making January resolutions to get organized or be more productive are a good starting place, I think we need to look at the accountability of these goals and resolutions. I ask myself, "how do I best stay accountable to these goals?" Instead of only writing down the goal, write down how you're going to keep yourself accountable to that goal. Send an email to accountability@roomtobreathe.org and let me know a goal and your plan for accountability. I'd love to hear about it!

Project ideas for January:

This month some of the projects I'm talking with clients about is clearing away the dead files and setting up new files and file folders. Here are some key questions to ask yourself:

• When was the last time you touched all of the files in your filing cabinet?
• How many of those "miscellaneous" files you never touch do you have taking up space?
• Can you tell me exactly what is in the files in your desk drawer? Right now?

January is the ideal time to archive the material that you need to keep but isn't actively supporting your business growth. I ask you to think about how you shred/ purge/ archive the paperwork that stagnates in your office. Do you have a system to do that?

Once you have eliminated the dead wood (pun intended) you will have done two things:

1. Created the space necessary for new and exciting business and projects to come into your office and,
2. Touched every piece of paper so you know what you have and potentially how to find it.

The National Association of Professional Organizers calls January "GO" or "Get Organized" Month. So, let's GO and hit the ground running!

Did you fall off the face of the earth? No, I've been busy with big rocks and a bucket.

I'm sure you've all heard the story of putting different sizes of rocks and water and sand into a bucket and choosing what goes in first. If not, here's a link to an account of the story.

I've been very busy with a big rock in a small package: my duties as doting Aunt Jessica to my nephew Mason. He is now an amazing 10 months old and I have the pleasure of spending time with him once a week. We have been getting to know one another and I am delighted to almost be able to tell between an "I'm hungry" cry and an "I'm tired" cry. He's heck on wheels and just started tentatively walking without assistance. He's still trying to figure out his "balance" issues, but hey, aren't we all!

Sexy Cool Product you need to know about!

I had the opportunity to meet an amazing group of musicians called Hormonal Imbalance at the eWomen Network conference in 2006. They recorded this song titled "Oh No!" that I encourage you to listen to (visit here). I dare you to not identify with this song! If there were an anthem for the phrase "everything has a place and everything is in its place," this is it! These women are phenomenal! They live in the four corners of the USA and are very successful artists in their own rights. They come together to perform for events on occasion and have a joy in their music that will have even the most stern businessperson smiling and tapping their toes.

After you have listened to this excerpt, please do them the honor of going to their website (http://www.fourbitchinbabes.com/) and buying one or several of their CDs. I'm sure you'll find something that will appeal to you or one of your relatives.