Archive for July 17th, 2010
In today’s world, everyone has stuff. Paper stuff, plastic stuff, dishes stuff, clothes stuff, TV stuff, computer stuff, phone stuff, book stuff, and the list goes on and on. And, of course, most of the stuff has labels. Labels in the clothes to tell you who made them and how to wash it, labels on cans so we know what is in it, labels on the back or front of things to tell you about who made it or the model number or some government regulations. There are literally thousands of helpful articles available that will tell you how to get organized - just so you can have space to add more stuff. Sounds a bit like a George Carlin routine!
So what does this article tell you that the others don’t? Easy! You can organize all you want to, but without some simple way to find the specific thing you’re looking for when you need it, all the organization in the world isn’t going to do you a bit of good. But if you use labels to help you categorize your stuff, finding what you need when you need it can be a breeze.
First, using color coded labels can easily simplify things. Have you ever moved and didn’t properly label your boxes? By choosing a color to represent each room, it is easy for the movers (or your cousin) to figure out which box goes in which room. And you don’t have to take the time to write on each box, losing time trying to remember where you put the marker, etc. A quick peel and stick of a green label for the kitchen, a pink label for the girls’ room and the box is ready to be put on the truck or in storage.
Speaking of storage, a lot of boxes wind up in storage for later retrieval. Unless you have done a great job organizing and labeling, the next time you are looking for them could take hours. And again, this is where color coding can help. Use yellow labels for magazines, clearly writing the title and year(s) on the side. You can also use yellow labels for boxes of other books too. By alphabetizing them and putting a list of those books in the top of the box you can save an enormous amount of time when it comes to finding that copy of “The Grapes of Wrath”
Next, using appropriately shaped or designed labels simplifies matters too. For instance, properly labeling your DVD’s can keep the embarrassment level down when you go to pop in the latest action move and instead play the home movie your mom made of you in the tub. Since you can use custom labels and cover designers to make great looking labels for them, you don’t have to try to decipher handwriting in order to keep up with last seasons’ episodes of Lost.
When it comes to DIY and other home improvement projects, we always wind up with a plethora of little pieces and parts floating around in the junk drawer in the kitchen. And on occasion, those make their way down to the basement or into the garage where they get merged with a lot more accumulated pieces parts from all the other projects. So, when it comes time to replace a screw in a chair or to find that exact same paneling nail from the den, unless we spend just a few seconds and put those pieces parts in a labeled bag, we can spend hours looking for that one little nail or screw.
Labels are designed to help us save time. The best part is, they are designed to cut down the hassle. Between those two reasons, and the 5 great tips above, a little time invested in organizing with labels makes life a breeze. Instead of losing things, you can find things. And that’s the point!
Colorful Images is your place for organizers, desk accessories, and personalized address stamps to help save you time, and keep you organized.
July 17th, 2010
Working using a whiteboard remains as one of the ideal ways to get and manage event for a business, association, classroom, group or even a family. Even in these era of instant messaging and email notifications, the white board retains its usefulness and is still seen in homes, schools and businesses around the globe since it is a tested and real method for keeping details up-to-date, well-managed and accessible.
There are fundamentally two kinds of white boards in different sizes- mounted and mobile. Depending on how you intend to use it, determine if it is best to have it mounted to the wall, perhaps near a telephone for capturing timely information, or available on an easel for impromptu meetings and brain storming sessions. So first determine what size will suit you best for an installation and if you would rather have a multiple white boards available on demand.
Formal boardrooms conventionally have white boards placed in sliding frames or rolling easels for simple access and stocking. Fixed white boards installed on the wall are frequent in classrooms, meeting rooms, dispatcher desks and community events spaces like lunchrooms and break rooms. Installing a whiteboard is a simple process that requires minimal tools. Ideally, the whiteboard will have a convenient attached tray for holding writing pens and erasers. If not, a scheme can be simply made to keep these items in contact.
For those spur-the-moment brainstorming sessions, the classic whiteboard is still considered one of the most efficient and effective ways to express ideas, link concepts and share visions. Since no special skills or technological techniques are required to work with a white board, it makes it easier for people of all levels to communicate and express their ideas. The free organization that results from working with a whiteboard makes an air of creativity and teamwork.
Organizing data on a stationary whiteboard requires a bit of forethought combined with some trial and error techniques. If you plan to use your white board on a daily basis, you will enjoy the flexibility of being able to adapt it as you refine your system. To integrate a white board into a business, home or activity, first set up a temporary system and run it for a week or so to make sure you are collecting all the pertinent information and that the system makes sense to all who need to use it. Once you have established the best structure for your whiteboard, you can create a permanent grid using thin colored tape to set up an outline, so you can fill in the daily assignments and erase them without losing the framework.
Keeping employees, family members and classmates informed of recent notices, changes in schedules or other timely announcements is another invaluable feature of white boards. Up-to-date information can be added in a central location that others can reference when needed. Although not as sleek as a Blackberry, the good old white board is still an integral part of a well organized group.
July 17th, 2010
No discussion of the martial arts can be complete until it finds time to discuss how martial arts can help deal with stress. In today’s hectic world, the reduction of stress is one value upon which just about everyone can agree. If we can somehow make our life less stressful overall, then we would have achieved something major. Martial arts can do this for us.
Doctors have known for many years now that physical exercise is one of the best ways to deal with stress. The more you work, the more you use your body, the more your brain releases powerful neurotransmitters in response to attempt to engage your parasympathetic nervous system and relax your body. After a good workout, you can feel the stress just melt away.
Martial arts, being very physical in nature, are really quite good for this. The only caveat to bear in mind is that you’ll want an art with lots of moving, jumping, kicking, and punching. Something more aerobic in nature. So while they may be enjoyable, if your primary goal is to get a good physical workout, you may want to look more towards Krav Maga than Aikido.
Another way in which the martial arts can help to reduce stress in your life is by providing you with an outlet for your aggression. Studies have shown that much stress is the result of shutting up your aggression. When you can’t act out against all the little crummy things that happen to you in the course of a day, the aggravation adds up!
Of course, the martial arts isn’t about hurting other people, and the true martial artist will never get angry in a fight. But that isn’t the point. The point is that when you spar against your classmates during training, you’ll be able to put all your energy into it, and the competitive act of exchanging measured blows with your colleague will leave you feeling renewed and at ease.
If moral questions or matters of the spirit hang heavy in your heart, the martial arts can help you there too. Many martial arts, especially the traditional ones, contain a spiritual aspect which can help the practitioner to gain greater control over his or her emotions. Obviously, this could have many profound implications for getting rid of stress in your life.
Because many martial arts hail from the East, there are often elements of Buddhist or Taoist philosophy mixed in with the teaching of the art. Learning to properly meditate, in addition to certain physical techniques like breath control and proper posture, can have a huge impact upon your level of stress. Speak with your instructors to see if they have any insights or guidance to offer in regards to how you can incorporate a spiritual element into your own practice.
Hopefully you have profited from this attempt to discuss how martial arts can help deal with stress. While there are many types of stress, there are also many styles and schools of martial arts out there. If you’re truly interested in the martial arts, you can find a school that will help address your stress-reduction needs as well.
This article was brought to you by a joint effort on behalf of this site and Martial Arts Equipment Direct, thanks for reading. Stop by some time a check out our great selection of NKF sparring gear such as our full contact sparring gloves at our must see low prices.
July 17th, 2010
In a previous article I wrote about money memories and money messages. To recap these are the subconscious programming that are running your current attitudes in regard to money and creating abundance. If the messages are of a positive nature, great. If not, there is a way to reverse the negative messages into positive ones! Take a moment to identify one negative message. I’ll give you a quick example: money doesn’t grow on trees.
Now that you’ve identified one of your money messages that does not serve you in your desire and journey of creating abundance, it’s time to to do something about it. How do you turn them from negative into positive? You create a positive statement or affirmation by going 180 degrees. To change “money doesn’t grow on trees” you could write: money is easy to come by. The choices are abundant.
Your new money messages must be clear, concise, positive statements that are worded in the present tense. Borrowing someone else’s money message will work; however, the best money messages are ones that you design yourself.
The next step is making the new money message a part of your reality. Use it as an affirmation, saying it throughout your day. At first the new message might feel strange and uncomfortable…as if you’re making it up. With time and practice you will begin to believe what you are affirming.
You can also write the affirmations as a daily exercise to enhance your results. You want to create success through baby steps instead of trying to change your entire life in a day or a week by writing affirmations to change every possible detail that’s not working. Be gentle on yourself by choosing only 1 or 2 affirmations to focus on. Write each one 10 – 20 times each day. To form a new groove, do this exercise for 30 days. If you skip a day of writing then start over. The object is to write for 30 uninterrupted days. Experiment with it. After thirty days evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Tweak it and play and evaluate again. Remember this is a process. Although the destination is the goal, enjoy the trip! Make it joyful.
Keep in mind the new message must move from being just a thought in your mind to becoming a part of your subconscious. If you want more information, the subject of beliefs and belief systems is another area for you to look at.
Remember…
Abundance is Your Birthright!
July 17th, 2010