Procrastination - Do You Handle It or Does It Handle You?

By definition procrastination is the act of deferring tasks to a later time. According to Wikipedia, "The psychological causes of procrastination vary greatly, but generally surround issues of anxiety, low sense of self-worth, and a self-defeating mentality." As true as this is, it is very disconcerting when you note that some forms of procrastination are self-destructive.

We all procrastinate in one way or another, even if you didn't think that you did. Accordingly, there are both good and bad procrastination skills. As to the good ones, someone may delay doing a task to do something of more importance. In other words it is a form of prioritization. Even though this may be good, the fact of the matter is that you are going to have to tackle that other task anyway. Otherwise the situation will get worse (like putting off mowing the lawn) and in some cases out of hand.

One of the worst forms of procrastination besides not doing anything at all is the one where we'll perform tasks of less importance. What we'll do is say to ourselves that we've accomplished a lot that day, whether it be errands or whatever. We'll even reward ourselves for completing these tasks. But we leave behind the task of more importance that is still waiting there and not getting done. What makes this so detrimental to us is that it doesn't feel like we are procrastinating.
You may even wonder if I'm procrastinating from doing something by writing this post.

Actually, I'm writing this for two purposes - one to relay my thoughts on this subject and also for myself on a personal level. I came to a realization last evening, which really has nothing to do with procrastination, and needed an outlet.

One of the questions that we should be asking ourself is ‘What's the best thing that I could be working on?' And then follow that up with, ‘Why aren't I?' This is probably not easy for some to ask themselves because we have to be introspective to answer it properly.

Several reasons for our procrastination could be fear, whether it be the fear of failure or success; perfectionism, because we may expect too much of ourselves and are therefore afraid of not attaining that level or goal; or, we're too busy to perform those tasks. Many times we'll find that we'll perform a lesser task because of the instant gratification as opposed to a more intense or larger task that will usually give use greater satisfaction down the road in the foreseeable future.

Procrastination tends to reinforce itself and that can only become a vicious cycle. Part of the problem is that we are too intelligent and will rationalize behavior such as this.

While writing this piece, I came across an article in Psychology Today, Procrastination: Ten Things To Know. Is your procrastination hindering you? by Hara Estroff Marano.

So, what are you going to do now?

For information on Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County real estate and Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County homes for sale in addition to Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County relocation contact Marc Grossman, your Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County Realtor @ 407-463-1034. Additional information is available for Seminole County real estate, Orange County real estate, West Volusia County and South Lake County.

To learn more about Marc and the services he has to offer, visit his profile & website.

Marc Grossman, GRI - http://www.OrlandoHomes-4u.com/ - 407-463-1034

Marc donates 10% of his net proceeds to Hospice of the Comforter.

Marc It Sold!

The Fed Rate & Mortgage Rate - What Does This All Mean?

First a little history. The Federal Reserve System (commonly referred to as The Fed) is the central banking system of the US and is made up of 12 regional banks. The Fed manages the nation's money supply via its use of monetary policy. This refers to The Feds ability to influence the availability of money and credit which affects interest rates and therefore the economy.

Are we good so far? For our purposes here we are going to have a limited discussion and only touch upon one area of the monetary policies.

Banks are required by The Fed to have a certain portion of the total value of their demand accounts on hand. If a bank falls below this level, it can borrow the funds from another bank that has a surplus with The Fed. These are typically overnight loans. The interest rate on these borrowed funds is determined by the banks themselves but is influenced by The Fed via the Federal Funds Rate. These are more closely aligned with short term interest rates. This is the rate that we've been hearing so much about in the news. It must be understand that this is a target rate set by The Fed. The rate that is actually paid by one bank to another is negotiated between the two parties. This has nothing to do with mortgage rates.

Now we come to mortgage rates. The Fed DOES NOT control mortgage rates. Mortgage rates are market determined and are on the long term end of the interest rate spectrum. These are generally determined by the bond market. It's a financial market where debt securities are bought and sold. And this brings us to Mortgage Backed Securities. You may not have heard of these specifically, but you've most likely heard of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and to a lesser extent Ginnie Mae. Basically what they do is package many mortgages together and issue them as MBS's. In order to get investors to buy these, they must pay rates of interest that are competitive with alternative interest-paying investments such as Treasury bonds. There is a correlation between mortgage rates and long term interest rates. Long-term rates are governed by the overall health of the economy, and the expectations of future growth.

As you can see one is long term whereas the other is short term. So when you hear that The Fed cut the rate, you can not always expect an equal and immediate change in the mortgage rate. In fact, in many cases the opposite has occurred.

For information on Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County real estate and Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County homes for sale in addition to Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County relocation contact Marc Grossman, your Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County Realtor @ 407-463-1034. Additional information is available for Seminole County real estate, Orange County real estate, West Volusia County and South Lake County.

To learn more about Marc and the services he has to offer, visit his profile & website.

Marc Grossman, GRI - http://www.OrlandoHomes-4u.com/ - 407-463-1034

Marc donates 10% of his net proceeds to Hospice of the Comforter.

Marc It Sold!

Orlando & Central Florida, Orange and Seminole County - Education

Education in the Greater Central Florida area and the City of Orlando including Orange and Seminole County as with any area has numerous public and private schools available to you.

We have a wonderful education system and with anything else some are better equipped than others. That is not the point of this post, but to give you information on the various sources that are available to you.

The Central Florida region is quite expansive, but is inclusive of Orange County and Seminole County with the City of Orlando being the largest municipality. But unlike some other areas of the country our schools are operated on a county level. The internet sites for Orange County Public Schools and Seminole County Public Schools have a lot of helpful information, including school grades, on what they have to offer including special schools and programs.

The unfortunate part that I'm finding while writing this article is that there are not too many sites that you can look at that will give you an abundance of information so that you can make comparisons at a glance without paying a fee. The most inclusive site that I found produces the Central Florida Education Guide, but they are asking $10.50 an issue. It has a fairly comprehensive list of the schools; their scores; their location; if they offer special curricula; if they are a magnet school; even phone numbers. What I quite like about this publication is that they also offer a comprehensive listing of private schools with the same information as above, but also their accreditations; enrollment; tuition; whether they are religious oriented; athletic programs; etc. I can assist you with this information if you are interested.

As to higher education, we definitely have our fair share including Seminole Community College and Valencia Community College both offering 2 and 4 year degree programs. Additionally, as you most likely know, there is the University of Central Florida and Rollins College both offering a number of baccalaureate and master's programs with UCF also offering 24 doctoral programs. But there is much more including the University of Florida's College of Pharmacy located at the IFAS/Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka. Barry University has their School of Law located in Orlando as well as the new UCF College of Medicine that is being built in the Lake Nona area.

This doesn't even touch upon all of the other technical schools that we see dotting the country. But there are some others that should be mentioned including Florida Hospital's College of Health Sciences where they offer many programs in addition to nursing. There is also the Orlando Culinary Academy which is affiliated with Le Cordon Bleu. The list goes on from recording to design and technology.

There is something for everyone in the Greater Orlando Central Florida area and...

it's time for you to explore it!

For more information on Central Florida and Orlando real estate and Central Florida and Orlando homes for sale in addition to Central Florida and Orlando relocation contact Marc Grossman, your Central Florida Realtor @ 407-463-1034. Additional information is available for Seminole County real estate, Orange County real estate, West Volusia County and South Lake County.

To learn more about Marc and the services he has to offer, visit his profile & website.
Marc Grossman, GRI - http://www.OrlandoHomes-4u.com/ - 407-463-1034

Marc donates 10% of his net proceeds to Hospice of the Comforter.

Marc It Sold!

Orlando, Orange County, Florida - Arts & Culture

This possibly should be titled Central Florida - Arts & Culture because the Greater Orlando area encompasses more than just the City of Orlando when you talk about a subject such as this. We ain't New York City, but we do have culture and attractions here other than Mickey Mouse, Shamu and Jurassic Park.

One would be quite surprised of the amount of Fine Arts and Culture that can be found in the Greater Orlando/Central Florida area. We have the usual trappings of most large cities. You'll find the theater, ballet, opera, museums, music, botanical gardens, festivals and the list goes on.

As I'm preparing this article, I'm realizing that I will only be able to touch upon many of the main attractions even though the others carry a great weight as well.

The Orlando Museum of Art located in Loch Haven Park features American art, African art and Ancient American art. Right next door you'll find the Orlando Science Center. Here you'll find fun and education for all ages, a domed theater and an observatory among the many exhibits. Adjacent to this you can find the Mennello Museum of American Art. Right down the road in Winter Park, you'll come across The Morse Museum of American Art, which houses the largest collection in the world of work by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Just down the road, literally, you will find the Rollins College Cornell Fine Art Museum, housing a collection of American and European art.

One of the most beautiful places that you will find in Orlando are the Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens with their impressive Orchid house. Additionally, there is a Butterfly Garden; America's largest Camellia collection outside of California; the largest formal Rose garden in Florida; a 2 acre Tropical Stream Garden; and, a restored turn of the 20th Century house that Harry P. Leu lived in.

You can find the Orlando Ballet, the Orlando Opera, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. As to theater offerings, they run the gamut from Broadway Across America series at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre to the Mad Cow Theatre with its many plays running the gamut from classical to contemporary.

There are festivals galore such as the recent Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities in nearby Eatonville; the Orlando Shakespeare Festival; and the Bach Festival which is housed at the Rollins College Knowles Memorial Chapel.

And then there is the Enzian Theater, which is a not for profit alternative theater, with some pretty awesome showings. Here is housed the Florida Film Festival, Jewish Film Festival and Gay Orlando Film Festival amongst others.

You think there is nothing to do in Orlando. We have many arts festivals throughout the year bringing artists from all over the country. This week there is Mount Dora's and soon after Winter Park will have one as well as Maitland and Lake Mary/Heathrow. These bring thousands upon thousand of people together in a wonderful atmosphere.

We've only just begun to touch the surface, but I think you get the idea.

Come on down and visit Orlando - you'll fall in love again!

For more information on Central Florida and Orlando real estate and Central Florida and Orlando homes for sale in addition to Central Florida and Orlando relocation contact Marc Grossman, your Central Florida Realtor @ 407-463-1034. Additional information is available for Seminole County real estate, Orange County real estate, West Volusia County and South Lake County.

To learn more about Marc and the services he has to offer, visit his profile & website.
Marc Grossman, GRI - http://www.OrlandoHomes-4u.com/ - 407-463-1034

Marc donates 10% of his net proceeds to Hospice of the Comforter.

Marc It Sold!