As a mother (3 humans, 4 cats), wife (1 human), and work from home web publisher, I understand the feelings that come from having a full plate. Some of these feelings would fall under the heading PROS, while others would certainly find themselves under CONS. Anyone whose to do list is consistently filled from top to bottom understands what I'm talking about. You're, at once, thankful for the tasks and the ability to do the tasks while often wishing the tasks would, somehow, just lose themselves!

The person who is consistently staring at a full plate knows these feelings firsthand:

• They most certainly feel needed.
• They never feel bored.
• If they are doing what they love, they feel fulfilled.
• Their mind is forever being challenged - which is a very good thing.
• They feel, for certain, that the clock is against them.
• They wish they had an assistant. Or two. Or three.
• They feel so overwhelmed, at times, that they don't even know where to begin.
• They have been known to throw their head back and stare at the ceiling for mercy. The nearest wall can fill the same need, particularly to those of us prone to stiff necks.

Ah, the life of the terribly busy.

I once received an e-mail from a college student in Virginia. She was in her third year of college, worked two jobs (two!), and was very active on campus. She had a new husband and, on top of everything else, was devoted to being a great wife. In fact, our e-mail relationship actually began when she contacted me through my recipe blog. I had mentioned the evils of instant mashed potatoes and she wanted to know how to make real, homemade mashed potatoes. She told me she had the bag of potatoes, the pot, the milk, and even the butter - but had no idea what to do with any of it.

As the mother of three daughters, I have to admit, I fell instantly in love with this girl. The thought of her standing in the kitchen, in a college sweatshirt, staring blankly at a bag of potatoes still makes me smile.

Anyway, we kept up the e-mail visits long after she mastered mashed potatoes. She asked once, "What do YOU do when you have a million and one things to do?"

My answer? "Number one."

It has been my experience that this is the spot in the road where most people trip. When they don't know where to begin, they often react by not doing anything. The feeling of being overwhelmed, out numbered, and "up against it" simply paralyzes them. Then, weeks later, after they have done just enough to get by, they wonder why they have not gotten ahead!

This is the Golden Moment - the very instant when you find yourself staring at the busy end of a million and one things to do. Make no mistake about it: What you do at this all important junction will determine everything. If you allow the CON feelings to win out and give in to feeling overwhelmed and put upon, you have lost before you have even begun.

However, if you look at your overly ambitious to do list, and determine that you are about to hit it and hit it hard - you are in charge of your own future. You have taken the power away from "what must be done" and reclaimed it for yourself.

The next time you find yourself square in the middle of the Golden Moment and you hear the overwhelmed little voice in your head ask in its sing song voice, "I have a million and one things to do! Where do I even start?!" You know the answer. "Number one."

Then, roll up your sleeves and get busy. After you have put a highly satisfying red mark through number one, move on to number two. Know this: Starting at number three and moving all the way to the end of the list, the rest will get word that you are coming for them. They lose their intimidation as your determination grows.

The power shift? Oh, yeah. It's on!