How is it that 2011 is almost at an end and I feel like there are far too many items on my to-do list still?  If you are like me, you keep lists of things to buy, things to do, books to read, conferences to attend.  Lists for reminding yourself to create lists, lists to remind you to remember things, events, projects, tasks etc.. So how do you track it all without losing your mind?

As the Apple commercial suggests; "there's an app for that" rings particularly true in this case. 
 I have found so many useful apps over the past few years that I now am not sure what I would do without some of them!  

With many of us in planning mode for 2012, I am listing my all time favorites software and iphone apps for you to try!  Happy APP-ing!

• Evernote - I have mentioned this one before and it still remains one of my favorites.  I love being able to tag a n image, a document, a phrase, anything and being able to retrieve it from any computer or my iphone.  I use it for tracking project details, especially field work for clients.
• OpenTable - This is a great app for people who need to book and reserve business lunches or dinners frequently.  Just punch in your current location (city),  the date and time along with your party size and let the app find you a table!  You can then filter the responses by neighborhood, cuisine style, budget and times.... super efficient!
• Air Canada - great for business travelers needing to keep tabs on flight times.  You can also book flights, find flights and verify arrival times (for picking up clients etc.) you can search by date, flight number and stay on top of any changes.
• ScanBiz Cards - this is a no brainer for any business person!  Literally as it sounds, scan in business cards into your smart phone and let the app “read” the text and file it into your address book for you.  Need I say more?
• MiniBooks for Fresh Book - If you use this online booking system, the on-the-go version will be a huge asset!  I like the ease of use and functionality of this system as it makes it effortless for clients to book in appointments with me.  It also helps track time for billing and invoicing.
• Shoeboxed Receipt Tracker & Receipt Scanner - this does exactly what it sounds like; it allows you to snap photos of expense receipts and then allows you to use their online service to organize your receipts and expense records and better record keeping.

Do you ever find yourself vibrating with excitement when you start a new project only to start fading as it nears completion?  Do you love the thrill of a new, possibly difficult endeavor only to find yourself losing steam half way through?  Is it post-elation procrastination or maybe you truly enjoy the thrill of a challenge and when it does not appear to be so challenging anymore, you lose interest?

Many successful entrepreneurs and business owners are the classic A-type personalities that live for the buzz of “newness”.  It's that drive you get when you know you are creating something fabulous but as you approach the finish line; you, quite frankly, get bored.  Yup, bored.

How can that be?  Many people would find this a conflict in terms partly because business owners are viewed as an over achieving species with endless, borderless energy and drive.  How can they get bored?  How can they possibly lose interest?

Guess what? It happens!

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to determine if you may be on a New-Thrill-Buzz-Kill journey:

• Do you thrive on startups?
  
• Are new projects thrilling and getting your endorphins going?
• As an impending deadline approaches, do you dread the end?
• Are you handing off the lose ends near the deadline in order to look for the next thrill?  Potentially taking your eyes off the goal/end result?
• Do your response times dwindle/slow down near the ends of projects?
• Are you at your professional best at the planning stages?
• Are you at your professional worst closer to deadlines?

Everybody is good at something...and possibly not-so-good at others.

Non-entrepreneurs and self employed individuals look for jobs that highlight or match their strengths, not their weaknesses. Entrepreneurs. however, turn passions and strengths into businesses that potentially burden them with many tasks beyond their given areas of expertise. Entrepreneurs may feel like they need to do it all (especially during start-up phase), but it is critical to recognize your own strengths and shortcomings and fine tuning them to your advantage.

This means:

• Determine where you are best utilized within your company
  
• Admit your weaknesses and faults (and hire accordingly!)
• Allow others to carry the details that tie you down (and possibly are your buzz kill!)
• Give yourself permission to keep the tasks you love but do not become so far removed from the other mundane tasks that you are no longer part of the core
• Know when it is time to take non-core tasks and hand them to capable employees
• Take the time to ensure the employees you are handing off to are well trained
• Enjoy yourself!  Being self-employed has so many blessings!  Take the time to appreciate where you are and how far you have come!