Start With The End In Mind

Start With The End In Mind.

Steven Covey is credited with writing books to help entrepreneurs and business men and women alike to achieve success in the corporate arena. Many of his pointers can be applied to everyday life. While he is credited with coining the phrase "start with the end in mind", another Author of old, an Atlanta native, was one who not only coined the phrase, she put it into practice. Margaret Mitchell, famed for writing a classic novel, "Gone With The Wind", started with the end first and then moved to her beginning. She was ahead of her time in many ways, defying the social norms and living life on her terms. She strummed her own drum, and did not dance to the beat of others. She inspires me to get to the end and then start!

Often times tasks, and responsibilities can seem daunting. There seems to be more demands and less time in which to accomplish that which is at hand. You're not alone in this thinking, for I experience it regularly. Margaret Mitchell also had quite a bit on her plate, but she divided and conquered it into manageable pieces and did it well. One of my wishes is to have more time to spend with friends and family. But I am thankful for the ability to communicate across the lines, the web and even written letters. That's an art (the art of writing personal letters and cards) that should be resurrected. Help me in this quest. It's such a personal gift of love, receiving a card or letter in the mail. It screams "I'm thinking of you!"

As this Sunday slowly fades into the throws of Monday, I organize my thoughts, tasks and time. Starting with the end in mind, I see success on all ends. Others will make plans for your time, talents and treasures, but KNOW that we are the keeper of our own time, talents and treasures. We manage it and can do it well.

I was reminded of a song from another classic: "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". The young lad encourages the snow monster to just get started, and he can make the changes necessary. All he had to do was "Put one foot in front of the other."

Listen along with me and remember to keep it moving. Now that's DA Art of Living!

~Simply Lady Dana

August 2012 (c)

A link with a little extra something on the extraordinaire, Ms. Margaret Mitchell. Copy and paste in your web browser to view and read.

http://atlantahistorycenter.tumblr.com/post/8994720823/remembering-margaret-mitchell