Nugget #4: Time Is Of The Essence

procrastinate /prə(ʊ)ˈkrastɪneɪt/

verb 1. delay or postpone action; put off doing something.

We all do it, and it's okay when it is done well. Procrastinating can keep us from taking decisions we will regret later (like saying yes to the overly enthusiastic hairstylist who is holding your ponytail in her hand and quips "let's cut, oui?"). It can also give us the gift of time when we need a little TLC.

When misunderstood, this little nugget can become a pesky boulder and turn the littlest things into 20-act dramas.

Besides the obvious things you need to handle immediately (like an unpaid invoice that might turn your cosy apartment into a romantically candlelit but freezing place), take a moment to think about all the things you need to sort in your life. Block some time in your calendar to review them all and sort them between "hot" and "let's procrastinate". By doing this simple exercise you will mentally keep tabs on things and will not end up on a Sunday evening moving furniture till midnight because you forgot the painters show up at 7am the following day.

When sorting things, gauge the potential for trouble for each task. And remember: A question you answer today is a problem you won't have to handle tomorrow.