the transition of the old year and the beginning of the New Year.

We generally approach the New Year with great apprehension, along with the anxiety of the planned, unplanned and unknown events.

For some of us this year will be even more excited and or apprehensive with this being the year to the count down of the new Millennium.

Some clients say they don't know where the year went, whilst others state that the year seemed particularly long with trying events, such as the general election and the American Whitehouse affair being two of a number of events that seemed to take an ambiguous toll on the citizens in both countries.

Well it's that time of year when we also all get ready to take stock of our individual situations, make year-end resolutions and plans for the coming new year.

If you are like most, you sit and ponder about the revisions, corrections and needs of your life and commonly come up with changes such as organising your life better, losing weight, staying on a strict diet, saving more money, spending more time with the family, manage your money better, making more time for personal fitness, etc, etc, etc. And the list goes on and on and before the onion drops we are gung-ho that it will all be taken care of because this is the year when it will all happen.

Often I hear the phrase "this is my year, it's going to happen this year, for sure.'' Including me, do the "list thing''. Believe me, setting yourself up for failure before the three kings arrive is very easy (January 6th). But this year doesn't have to be another year of "what ifs''.

Begin by putting a positive outlook on 1999 by taking time out today to reflect on this past year's accomplishments and yes, even the most well disciplined, organised, including me, have unfinished and unaccomplished projects that at this late date won't be happening before the onion drops.

But by highlighting the things YOU have accomplished in 1998 and placing the incomplete items on your immediate to do, they will end up most likely getting accomplished earlier than if not addressed at all.

Only I try to stay away from making unrealistic resolutions such as trying to accomplish certain objectives I know can take over a year to do. Or set a goal to lose a fixed number of pounds and try to be more realistic and say, I will plan better schedules and more nutritious eating patterns.

To get off to a good organised start, make your master "to do list'' immediately.

From research and work experience, to assist you in this endeavour, outlined below are some of the areas for consideration in mastering a more successful to do list for 1999.

Avoid having several pieces of scrap paper lying around by creating a master list.

Purchase a small notebook and jot down everything in it and keep it in your briefcase or daily diary to ensure that it is always with you.

Whenever you find yourself with some free time, check your notebook and see what items you can do in the time available. Check your book last thing at night or first thing in the morning and plan on doing one or two items each day. Don't try to do everything at once -- it will soon become overwhelming.

A family calendar can help organise the family's schedules.

Purchase a fairly large one and hang it in a prominent place such as the kitchen. Remember to hang it at a height where all the family can reach it. It is also a good idea to add a message board -- either a bulletin board type or, better yet, a write on/wipe off one.

Select a coloured pen for each family member to use and make sure there is a container for all the pens near the calendar. It may take some training to ensure that the pens are replaced in the container and not taken off to other areas of the house.

Each family member should be responsible for entering his or her plans as far in advance as possible. Smaller children will need some help with this.

This way it is easy for you to keep track of what everyone is up to and when.

It also allows you to plan your own schedule around other family commitments.

And what is on this professional organiser's to do list for 1999: Well I am going to work on wasting less time to accomplish more and if you also need or want to enhance this problem, according to a survey done by "Priority Management Systems'', they found that the top ten time wasters in the business place are: 1. Shifting priorities. 2. Telephone interruptions. 3. Lack of direction/objectives. 4. Attempting too much. 5. Drop-in visitors. 6.

Ineffective delegation. 7. Cluttered desk/losing things. 8.

Procrastination/lack of self-discipline. 9. Inability to say no. 10. Meetings.

Addressing 40% of the above is on my master to do list of changes to make in 1999. Note that I am not setting myself up to accomplish all and I have already picked out my personal reward if I meet my expectation with an added bonus if I exceed! And as we are all aware the approaching of the year 2000 can present a threatening challenge known as the "Millennium Bug'' and if you need some free assistance you can obtain more information about the Year 2000 by calling the "Year 2000'' Information line at 1800-270-8220.

Last but not least, good fortune is what we make of it; it comes with ease to some but most find their good fortunes with hard genuine organised hard work.

Proper planning and organisation will provide a more stress less lifestyle.

And so my sincerest wish to all a good organised fortunate New Year. May it exceed your expectations.

Cindy Swan is a Professional Organiser with over 20 years of office administrative managerial experience and a member of the National Association of Professional Organisers.

Cindy Swan answers questions only through the column. Address inquiries to Cindy Swan, PO Box 304, St. George's GEBX or email her at bermudagolf yibl.bm.