by Christine Kane
Irony: As I started to write this article, I thought, "I'll just go play one Sudoku game first." I caught myself in the act and marched to my laptop.
People who say that procrastination is about laziness are probably the same people who think that anorexia is about not eating enough.
Procrastination isn't about laziness. It's about fear. It's about perfectionism. It's about overwhelm. We all experience it, and there are some tricks to help you get moving again.

Here are 9 ways to break the procrastination habit:

1 - When you get an idea, do some little thing to begin.
When I read Stephen King's book On Writing, I noticed something. I noticed that when Stephen King gets an idea, he writes it. Immediately and imperfectly.
Most people get an idea. Then they sit there. They wonder if it's a good idea. Then, they wonder if it's a good idea some more.
Got an idea? Begin it now!

2 - All hail small chunks of time!
Lots of us complain about having no time. My guess is that we all have lots of time. It just doesn't happen to be all at once.
Are you waiting for many hours of spare time to begin your idea, your project, or your taxes? Stop waiting!
Learn to use the spare half hour that comes up here and there. (I gave myself 45 minutes to write this article just to take my own advice.)

3 - Agree to do it badly.
Set a goal to do it badly. Set a goal to show up.
Let go of doing it ALL, or doing it WELL.
Some of my coaching clients' biggest victories have a lot more to do with getting over perfectionism and fear, than they do about getting it all done perfectly.

4 - Commit aloud.
Call a friend and say something like this: "I'm going to spend the next half hour working on my Law School Essay." Then go do it.
Call the friend after the half hour and make her congratulate you. Repeat daily.

5 - Define quantities.
Nebulous goals make for nebulous results. "I'm gonna get my office organized" is a lot like saying, "We oughtta do something about Global Warming."
Most procrastinators have a hard time defining quantities. We think everything needs to be done NOW.
When are you going to do it? For how long? Which part of your office? The file cabinet? Or your desk?
Define the goal and acknowledge its completion.
Note: The Clutter Removal Action Process (or, "C.R.A.P.") is one of the many bonus elements of my new "Uplevel Your Life Mastery Program" - and it makes this step a BREEZE!

6 - Install this System Upgrade into your Mental Hard Drive: Less is More.
Have fewer goals. Have no more than three priorities for a week.
Why?
Because you're not lazy. You're just trying to do too much. 
Find out what it feels like to accomplish one thing instead of not quite getting to everything. Wow - what a difference this makes!

7 - Do it first.
My first coach made me write songs first thing in the morning. He told me to schedule the 2-hour chunk as my first activity upon waking.
Why?
"Because you're telling the universe that this is your priority. And then the universe lines up everything to align with your priority."
Action grounds your priorities. It makes them real. It also makes your day easier because you're not wasting energy thinking about this thing you're supposed to be doing.

8 - Avoid nose-bleed activities.
Email, voicemail, web stats - any activity that bleeds itself into your whole day becomes a non- activity. It becomes a nose-bleed.
When you do it all the time, you never complete it. You just let it slowly drain the very life force from you.
Define times for these activities. Then, turn off your email, your cell phone, your web stats, until that time comes.

9 - Don't ask how you "feel" about doing the activity.
Have you ever committed to getting fit? And then when the alarm goes off, you lie in bed thinking, "Do I really feel like going to the gym?" (Like you even have to ask!) 
Change this pattern. Make your decision the night before. Commit to getting up and going right to the gym, the computer, the blank canvas. Don't have coffee and sigh and think, "I'll probably feel more like it at lunch time." You won't!
If it's a priority, don't waste time asking yourself how you feel about doing it. Feelings are an easy out.

--------------
There. I did it. I wrote this article. And now, I don't even want to play Sudoku! How about that?

The Plug: Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FREE subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

Thanks Christine for the permission to use the article and I hope you too enjoyed reading it. There are a lot of wise ideas in this article which can relate to all part of our lives. If you need guidance of coaching on those things financial give me a call.

Anti who? or Aunty who? As the advert asks that brought anti oxidants to our attention.

Well unlike a distant relative that may out stay their welcome this piece of taxation legislation is linked to your superannuation account and can provide some goodness to your family estate planning and superannuation position.

The anti-detriment deduction and payment can be significant to a superannuation fund that is going to continue after the death of a member.

The idea behind the anti detriment deduction is to ensure that the spouse and children of a deceased member do not suffer detriment because of the contributions tax that was levied on the deceased member's benefits during their lifetime.

Last month I met with a client whose husband had passed away recently at age 51. They have a disabled son who is on a Centrelink Disability Support Pension and thankfully they had life insurances in place held by their self-managed super fund.

As she will remain a member of the fund the payment of an anti-detriment amount from the superannuation fund resulted in a deduction within the fund. This deduction can be used to offset future contribution tax and even capital gains tax within the fund on her death.

In simple terms if the trustee pays a death benefit lump sum to a financial dependant spouse or child of the deceased and the trustee increases the lump sum amount by an amount known as the 'anti detriment amount', so that the total lump sum reflects what could have been paid if there had been no contributions tax levied during the deceased's lifetime, then the trustee is entitled to a deduction equal to the 'anti detriment amount' divided by 15%.

Over his lifetime her husband had paid $80,000 in contributions tax, so the fund with the insurance proceeds structured correctly could receive a $533,333 deduction.

Now that is a lifetime of contributions tax and this is where good advice comes into play. In order to access the goodness of the anti-detriment deduction you need a plan in place.

This also highlights the importance of your professional advisers working collaboratively, as your accountant, financial planner, Self Managed Super Fund Specialist and Estate Planning Specialist all play an important role in setting the plan in action.

If you are looking to review your current superannuation plan or have been thinking about creating your own Self Managed Superannuation Fund contact Money Mechanics today to review your current arrangements and get the right structures in place.

This 'turbo charging' strategy is often also called 'debt optimisation' and it works by reducing non-tax-deductible 'bad' debt (your home, car and personal loans) and replacing it with tax-deductible 'good' debt (investment loans) that are used to invest in growth assets (property or shares).

A Case Study

Brad and Angela have a $400,000 mortgage against the family home. They wish to retire in around 20 years and in order to pay off their home loan within this time frame. They are currently paying $37,000 a year (approximately $27,000 in interest and $10,000 off the principal). Following a review of their finances and mortgage interest rates they have around $20,000 of surplus income each year. Good cash flow coaching and planning comes into play here.

As with all advice they have a number of options but that is where a good relationship with your financial adviser comes into play.

1. Adding their surplus income to their existing home loan repayments to repay it as quickly as possible then once repaid they would start investing. (This means they only have the capital growth of their home working for them).

2. Invest their surplus income of $20,000 while continuing to make their current home repayments over 20 years. (This starts a wealth creation plan and investment mindset).

So what does this mean? Similar to the first strategy they should use their surplus income to pay off as much of their home loan as possible. The strategy then requires Brad and Angela to re-borrow the equity in their home created by their home loan repayments and invest it into growth investments (again this could be property, shares or managed funds depending on your needs and comfort level).

After the first year they manage to pay $57,000 ($37,000 current repayment + $20,000 surplus income) off their home loan - $27,000 in interest and $30,000 off the principal. Using a separate investment line of credit they redraw the principal amount that they have paid off their home loan and invest.

A Year On...

By adopting this strategy Brad and Angela's total amount of debt has remained the same, however a portion of it ($30,000) is now tax-deductible 'good debt' - as this borrowing has been invested into an income-producing asset. Brad and Angela are now entitled to claim the interest costs on this $30,000 borrowing as a tax deduction. As their investments also provide them with an additional source of income as well as franking credits, their strategy will become even more tax-effective.

The additional source of income allows them to increase the rate at which they reduce their home loan ('bad' debt) which in turn allows them to increase the size of their investment loan ('good' debt) and investment portfolio over time.

As with all wealth creation strategies it is important to get your numbers done and explore if this is an appropriate strategy for you and have someone to coach and guide you along the process and keep you accountable.

If you would like to review your wealth creation strategies contact Money Mechanics today.

Last month
;

Indices	Closing level	Opening Level	Gain / Loss
All Ords	4519	4739	-4.64%

Last 12 months

Indices	Closing level	Opening Level	Gain / Loss
All Ords	4519	4631	-2.41%

Last 26 months

Indices	Closing level	Opening Level	Gain / Loss
All Ords	4519	6187	-26.96%

Thursday, November 5 - The Australian share market come under pressure spooked by an end-of-day retreat on Wall Street after a benign statement by the US Federal Open Market Committee.

The All Ordinaries fell 28.4 points (0.62%) to 4,519.2 while the S&P/ASX 200 weakened 32.1 points (0.71%) to 4,508.

Some Stock Stories

BHP Billiton said the majority of contractors working on the rail component of its US$4.8bn Rapid Growth Project 5 iron ore expansion in the Pilbara region of Western Australia have now returned to work after safety issues were resolved. A spokeswoman for the miner said the company had become concerned that some health and safety requirements weren't being met by the contractor working on the rail line and had asked the contractors to stop work on Monday. The safety issues have now been resolved and the majority of workers, who are contractors from Leighton Holdings and Macmahon Holdings, have returned to work. BHP declined 50 cents (1.35%) to $36.44.

Leighton Holdings reported an increase in work-in- hand and a 25% boost in first quarter profit as governments move to stimulate economic activity in response to the global financial crisis. Chairman David Mortimer told investors at the company's annual general meeting that work-in-hand at Sept. 30 rose to $38.2bn, up $1.2bn since June 30, and first quarter unaudited after-tax profit was $130.9m, up from $105.0m on year. Leighton's work-in-hand will ensure "a steady operating profit" this fiscal year before returning to earnings growth in 2011, he added. "A decline in some of the group's core markets has been countered by significant spending by governments to stimulate economic activity both in Australia and overseas," Mortimer said. "Substantial government spending on infrastructure -- across Australia and Asia, demand for resources fuelled by economic growth in China and an eventual recovery in the property market augurs well for the group's longer term prospects."

The company reiterated sales guidance of more than $19bn and a net profit of around $600m for the fiscal year ending June 30, subject to any further asset impairments. Total revenue in the three months ended Sept. 30 was $4.53bn, up 10% on the year earlier's $4.11bn. Chief Executive Wal King said in his presentation to investors that future Australian infrastructure spending is buoyed by the nation's growing population, past underinvestment and "a growing involvement of the private sector in financing and development." Infrastructure work contributed 57% of Leighton's fiscal 2009 revenue, while contract mining and resource-related work accounted for more than a quarter of its sales. "Engineering construction is expected to grow to $140bn by 2018 -- more than doubling within a decade -- which augurs well for long-term construction opportunities," King said. "The next decade should see a significant spend on utilities, such as water and energy," he said. LEI fell 17 cents (0.5%) to $33.81.

Oil Search said that a well in Yemen located in a block it operates and in which it has a 60% stake has struck hydrocarbons, marking the company's first operated discovery outside Papua New Guinea. Oil Search said the Tubb'a-1 well in Block 3, Yemen produced gas and condensate at rates of up to 450 barrels a day on a half-inch choke. "Further work is underway to define the producing intervals and any fluid contacts," Oil Search said in a statement. OSH fell 7 cents (1.19%) to $5.83.

Transurban Group said it has rejected a takeover offer valuing it at $6.77bn from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, sparking a sharp rally in the toll road operator's share price as investors speculated that the funds could make a higher offer. The group indicated that it might consider a sweetened offer from the two giant Canadian pension funds, saying it will "engage" on any genuine proposals that offer value and certainty. "The board of Transurban Group has evaluated with its advisers, Lazard and Mallesons, the proposal and has rejected it on its current terms," the company said in a statement. "Consistent with its fiduciary duties, the board of Transurban remains willing to engage on bona fide proposals which provide appropriate value and certainty to security holders in a change of control transaction."

The two Canadian funds said their offer is pitched at $5.25 cash per unit and also features an unlisted scrip rollover and top-up alternative or a combination of both. In a joint statement the pair said the offer represents a 20% premium to the Transurban security price at the close of trade Wednesday and a 25% premium to the average price in the last three months. "CPPIB and OTPP note Transurban's willingness to enter into constructive discussions on bona fide proposals and look forward to the opportunity to discuss the details of the Proposal with Transurban," the funds said. In justifying its rejection of the bid, Transurban said it has significant confidence in its performance and long-term prospects and that the fundamentals of its business remain "very sound". TCL rose 85 cents (19.36%) to $5.24.

David Jones and Myer Holdings said they're seeing sales momentum going into the key Christmas period, and expressed cautious optimism about holiday trade. Myer said its first quarter sales came in at $717.1m. Sales were up 5.2% on year, or 2.9% on a like-for-like basis, outpacing sales growth seen at its upmarket rival David Jones. David Jones reported first quarter sales of $452.1m, up 2.2% on year or 0.8% on a like- for-like basis. But David Jones Chief Executive Mark McInnes said momentum was building in sales, with improvements seen "month on month, week on week" during the quarter. So far in November, the group has seen the biggest jump in sales in more than two years. "All the signs are positive but I think the market is still susceptible to external shocks," McInnes told reporters. Barring any major economic shocks, Christmas trading is likely to be "good", McInnes said.

Myer confirmed that it is on track to achieve its prospectus pro forma forecast for growth in total sales revenue for the 2010 financial year of 3% and earnings before interest and tax growth of 10.7% on a pro forma basis. "The business is in good shape as we approach the important Christmas trading period," Myer Chief Executive Bernie Brookes said. "Consumer sentiment is stronger than this time last year," he said. Myer recorded sales growth of 3.1% on year in the quarter ended July 25.

David Jones' McInnes said that his company's first quarter sales were stronger than expected. "Our better-than-expected trading in (the first quarter) is a good sign for our business as we enter the all- important Christmas trading period, especially given we will be cycling the worst trading conditions we have experienced in more than 20 years," McInnes said in a statement. He said there are some key drivers to look forward to in the second quarter, including the opening of stage one of its Bourke Street store redevelopment in Melbourne and improving economic conditions. "Having said that, it is too early for us to provide any guidance update until after we have traded through the all-important second quarter, which is the key component of our company's first half profit," McInnes said. The group has previously said it expects first half like-for-like sales to be down 3%-5% on year, with full year earnings expected to rise 0%- 5%. DJS slid 23 cents (4.24%) to $5.19 and MYR weakened 8 cents (2.08%) to $3.76.

Economic News
Trade Deficit

Australia's seasonally adjusted balance on trade in goods and services widened to a deficit of $1.85bn in September from a deficit of $1.65bn in August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said. The figure is lower than analysts' expectations of a deficit of $2.10bn.

Car and Truck Sales

Sales of new cars and trucks in Australia rose a seasonally adjusted 3.4% in October versus September, according to industry figures. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries said 80,813 vehicles were sold in October, or 2.2% more than October 2008. It was the first month since June 2008 that year-to-date sales have shown an increase. Year- to-date industry sales were 762,787 in 2009, down 11.7% or 101,250 vehicles from the same time a year earlier. The FCAI said that passenger vehicle sales rose 1.3% in October on year.

The NZSX50 dropped 22.20 points (0.7%) to 3,144.51 while the Nikkei shed 126.87 points (1.29%) to 9,717.44 and the Hang Seng lost 196.46 points (0.91%) to 21,418.31.

The Australian dollar was last quoted at US$0.907.

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If you have not recently reviewed your product strategy and would like to review the investments you have in place please contact Money Mechanics today 1300 772 643.

Managing on a Low Income
Wednesday 23rd September at REID CIT Campus
Cost $25
Struggling to make ends meet? Sometimes it can be hard to imagine getting ahead, let alone really getting there. Living on a low income can take a lot of energy and require a lot of skill balancing your budget from day to day. Our habits and attitudes have a lot to do with how we relate to our money and making ends meet. You may or may not already have good money management strategies in place. This course is one of the first simple steps to making the most of your money, from getting a greater grasp on your day to day budget and debt strategies, to your longer term superannuation strategies.

Superannuation Demystified
Look out for 2010's Program at REID CIT Campus
Cost $50
This evening will cover the taxation strategy of superannuation including the taxation on contributions while in the scheme, and on the way out of the scheme. Technical strategies such as advantages and disadvantages of salary sacrifice to superannutaion and defined benefit superannuation schemes in the context of your financial life and estate plans will be covered.