7 Habits of Highly Organized People

Write Everything Down

FREE your mind. Rather than trying to rely on your memory to recall when that appointment is/was, WRITE it down.

Keep Flat Surfaces Clear

Clutter is magnetic. As soon as you place one random item on a counter-top it will only attract more. Establish counter-tops as 'no dumping' grounds unless a particular item is used in that space every day (Like a toaster on the kitchen counter).

Find 'A Place for Everything'

Eliminate the idea of a "junk drawer" where random items are tossed. Instead, create a defined space (with small containers or dividers) for all the little 'extras'. Assign specific 'homes' for every single item. 'Homeless' items will instantly turn into clutter. It's also helpful to have designated spaces for your things so you can actually find them when you need them rather than wasting time searching or money buying duplicates. Find a specific place for loose change, keys, remote controls, office supplies, or even sunscreen.

Never Leave a Room Empty Handed

Let's face facts: there will always be something that needs to be returned somewhere else. When heading to a new room in the house, glance around to see if there is something out of place {a coffee cup, piece of mail, toy, or rogue sock} you could gather up with you to relocate on your way.

File, Don't Pile

Set up a command central or mail sorting system somewhere in your home. This space will serve to corral all the bills, mail, and other paper related information that comes in daily. Set aside a specific time each week to respond to and file documents where necessary.

Purge & De-clutter Often

How many ________ does a person really need?

Strive to keep what you consider to be truly beautiful and/or useful in your home. If you have limited storage it's especially important to not consistently accumulate more than will need to be stowed. Implement the 'One In, One Out Rule'. When you purchase something new for yourself or your home, or when a family member is given gifts on special occasions.

Make a Plan

Sometimes you just need to tell yourself what to do in order to stay on track. Systems and routines save the day! Keeping a variety of running lists will serve as an external reminder of what needs to be done and when. You'll be granted a peace of mind knowing there is a plan to conquer all that needs to be done and feel the satisfaction of success when you're able to check off items they are completed as well! Everyone in your family will appreciate having a menu plan in place. A cleaning checklist will help keep the appearance of your home serene and welcoming. A family calendar will help show an 'at a glance' view of who needs to be where and when.

..Why do I want to be a Teacher?

I consider myself very lucky in the fact that I have always known what I want to be when I grow up. Many people I have talked to battle with the decision of which career to choose. I have been lucky enough to have never had that battle. I have wanted to become a teacher for as long as I could remember. Yes, there was a time I believed I would grow up to be a famous singer/ actress and marry Jonathan Taylor Thomas. But as I got to the stage of truly determining what I wanted to be when I grew up, I never doubted that I wanted to be an educator.
I didn’t just wake up one morning knowing. I did question my first choice to be a teacher. I told myself I should go for something that paid a little more generously. But this reason was never good enough. My mind was made up. I wanted to be a teacher.
There are many contributing factors as to why it has been such an obvious decision for me. First and foremost, it’s in my blood. I come from a family of educators, teachers.
Just like many people my first teachers were my parents. They taught me from the moment I was born, and are still teaching me today. They taught me to love people, to be kind, and to be helpful. They have taught me to listen, and obey. They taught me about consequences and discipline. They taught me many characteristics that will help me improve not only my life, but also the lives of others. Now, my mom is an educator. I have aunts, cousins, and other relatives who are teachers. I suppose it kind of runs in the family.
I was also fortunate to have had a few very special schoolteachers who touched my life. Their examples have also contributed to my desire to become an educator. I recently ran into my 3rd grade teacher at the store, and I told her that I was going to UVU and that I was studying to become a schoolteacher. Listening to her speak, I went back to the third grade classroom, and I remembered how much I looked up to her. I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I wanted to be kind, and helpful. I wanted to help kids learn and improve their knowledge through education. Just like my teacher.
Above all else, I know that I will enjoy what I will be doing. I won’t wake up dreading going to work. That is what means the most to me in my profession. I am not under any impression that I won’t need to work hard, that I wont be faced with challenges, or that I wont get pushed to my limits. There will be times when I might question my decision to become a teacher. However, I know that the rewards of the teaching profession are great. That all my hard work and sacrifice will not go without notice. If I can become like my parents and my schoolteachers, I can touch the lives of others too. That is why I want to be a teacher!

My Current Obsessions.

We all have our little obsessions. I happen to personally go through distinct phases of them myself. "My Current Obsessions" is a list of the things that I am currently loving. Anywhere from books to clothing. Most often its food--go figure.

Feel free to blog about some of your own!

First on my list, Hi-Chew candy.

http://www.hi-chew.com/

I found these delicious treats by accident. And, as a genuine candy connoisseur, I can say with great confidence that these things are some of the best candy on Earth. They're rich, creamy, have a realistic fruit flavor, and tend to be quite habit forming! They are a Japanese candy, which makes them somewhat hard to find, but are becoming increasingly popular here in the states! Keep an eye out for them! They come in several different flavors. I recommend the Strawberry or Mango.

My next Obsession is a hair product called Shine and Smooth by Enjoy. Its a hair sirum designed to ease frizzyness. I do not normally use product on my hair, but I have fallen in love with this stuff! I use it everyday on my hair to smooth out frizz and best of all, it protects my hair from damage since it is a heat protectant. Pretty cool, eh?

Voss Artesian Water is next on my list. I've never ever been a fan of bottled water. The company stresses that VOSS is among the purest waters in the world. As pristine as The "Artesian Water" was, I admit it. I bought it for the fancy shmacny bottle. I guess this marketing scheme got to me because I keep finding myself buying more :)

I am absolutely loving this year's flowery headband trend. I find myself on the look out for cute flower hair clips and bands.

I think this next one is or should be on everyone's obsession list. Ben and Jerry's Ice cream.

Straight from the carton.

I have three favorite flavors: Strawberry Cheesecake, Creme Brule, and Cheesecake Brownie.

All little pieces of heaven, yummy enough to eat the whole carton, but handy enough to store for later!

So there are some of my current guilty pleasures!

Now, Spill some of yours!

I will never be "Skinny".

I got talking with my mom about body image today, and it has been on my mind for a while now. I know this issue is constantly being talked about, but I really wanted to share some of the thoughts I have been having. If you have something to add, please comment. I would love to get your guys' input on the issue.

First, I want to share an event that contributed to this being on my mind.

I graduated from high school just over a year ago, and at the beginning of my Senior year I weighed 125 pounds. I am not by any means saying I am heavy, but as my physical activeness decreased and my eating habits worsened, I found that my jeans were getting a little big snug. I currently weigh around 140 pounds. ( i guess that freshman 15 caught up to me.. I always thought that was a joke!)
I was approached recently by an old friend that I went to high school with (I act like that was SO long ago) and we got talking. Near the end of our conversation she mentioned she could see I had gained a little weight. Now, she didn't say it quite so bluntly, and I really don't think that she meant it to be rude. I know what you are thinking, who cares what she thinks, right? Well, being who I am (maybe its a girl thing--I really tried to brush it off) and despite my efforts to ignore her comment, I took what she said to heart.

Summer always brings added pressures to look good. For me, body image comes up pretty much on a daily basis. (I am sure for most of us girls we can all say the same) This summer I have made it kind of a routine to go to Seven Peaks (its a water park in provo, if you don't know what I am talking about) a couple times a week. I cannot help but notice (and often times envy) those perfectly bronzed, stick thin girls.
I have never had issues with my body image. I cannot remember feeling over self conscious, or feeling uncomfortable with my body. To be honest, (even with my freshman 15) I don't think I have the need to worry about my size.
It was right there, at seven peaks, sitting on my beach towel watching walking twigs, that I had a revelation.

After thinking about how people look at me, and how I look at others, I still cannot understand one thing.
WHY DO WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES?
Why do we compete with each other? Genetically, we are each build differently, and realistically, with my body type, I am never going to be one of those stick thin girls. That doesn't mean I'm fat- I'm not. But skinny, to me, brings to mind a certain image that I am certain I will never attain.
And you know what?
I am COMPLETELY alright with that.
I'm okay with having curves that clearly define me as feminine.
I think of my family, and friends. I think of all of their different sizes and shapes. They are the beautiful ones. Not the girls on the magazines or the twig at the pool.

I decided, that as long as I love and accept what I have, and who I am, I am going to be happier than the ones who find themselves unhappy with themselves for not achieving the often unrealistic goal of being "skinny".