Ideas on Organizing Kitchen Drawers and Cabinets

The Time Will Come that You Might Have to Do More than Organize Your Home

So easily distracted are we.  Concerned about organizing files, shoes, books, papers, and more.  Yet, when organizing really matters like: getting groups established, events created, and things done that truly matter to our existence, we take a deep sigh and hope someone else does them.

When one is given a problem to solve, most likely he or she will find the most simplest way to solve it without having to do much--pass the buck for starters.  But given the condition of our world lately with such dark ideologies often shoved down our throats, one can't help but feel a need to do something.  Consider our workplaces, schools, families, neighbors, churches, and more that are in need of a serious house-cleaning mentally, physically or spiritually.

So how might one tackle such daunting tasks when it comes to organizing people and events? 

Ask Questions

Most events are organized based on a simple question, why?  For example, why is this person/place/thing causing XYZ situation?  What might be done to make things right/better/different?  When the problem shows up in your department, household or elsewhere, your responsibility is to find answers to solve the why.  But far too many people rather look the other way.  Build relationships with people who feel the same way you do.  Start by creating an online community, blog, forum, post thoughts on popular social networking sites, distribute fliers offline or advertise to generate interest.

Cut Back on Unnecessary Distractions

Distracted by fashion, technological devices, foolish media stories, money, fame, celebrities, music, personal successes and failures, one doesn't sit quiet long enough to contemplate.  Unimportant things become all-too important, "I'm watching TV...I need to surf the Internet right now...I have to buy some accessories for my phone...I'm listening to my music, what do you want?"  Allow yourself some time to think!  Manipulators, liars, greedy, angry and selfish individuals would rather not give you any free time for yourself, because they innately know that if you start thinking too long about them and what they are doing, you will stop forking over your money, energy and time.  What better way to make the perfect mind-controlled slave out of you?  

Plan to Make Changes

When the need to make a difference in one's life or others arises in one's spirit, it is then that one should begin to plan a strategy that demonstrates passion, vision, longevity, and most of all solutions that promote higher good, benefits, an appreciation for fellow human beings.  Sound the alarm about the state of humanity!  Some people that might do well organizing aren't necessarily those who have a background doing just that with much money in their pockets, but people like the: retiree, mother, student, disabled, part-time worker, or unemployed individual.  These people have more time to think than most.  While baby is sleeping, mom might put off cleaning the house to think about how she can help other mothers.  A retiree might stop watching TV and eating long enough to walk through his home and find the kind of things that might help a group accomplish a common problem.  A disabled individual might record his thoughts for a better corporate structure for a popular company and send them off.  The ideas and deeds are endless, but you get the point.

Act on Your Thoughts and Enlist the Help of Others

Some just might answer the call to organize, but for how long?  After one's personal prayers have been answered (regarding a selfish need), he or she typically bails out from his or her calling to draw attention to a societal ill that may or may not directly impact him or her.  "Sorry, I have no time now that I am working...I started helping out the group in the past, but they didn't have any money to pay me so I stopped...I could have done more, but you know I have grandchildren who need things...I am so busy and I have my own children to be concerned about...I wish I could help but I have so much studying to do now that I am in college."  If one is open to receiving some help, he or she can pass the baton to those who have more time and energy on their hands to keep the protest/event/group/idea going.

Avoid the Temptation to Procrastinate or Give Up

Some may start to do well organizing people and events until someone or something cuts in on his or her race.  Now all things get put on hold.  You might be the one who started doing something, but never finished.  You may even feel like it's too late to do anything more.  Old plans can be tweaked, destroyed, rebuilt, or passed on to others who do have the energy to work them.  But whatever you do, don't stop doing whatever it is that you know inyour heart is what's right no matter what criticism you might receive from the haters. 

What event, group, protest, or other significant thing did you do in the past, recently or feel moved to do now?  What is the "why" that you need to answer?

The next time you feel an overwhelming emotion to do something to get someone or group to consider what they are or aren't doing to help others, answer the call!  Remind yourself to write the letter, make the phone call, get people to sign a petition, create the support group, organize the protest pass the torch, or whatever else you need to do to make a difference.

Once your own household is organized, the time will come to organize someone else's from the inside out, motivate yourself now to get ready to work!  Look around your world for a moment.  Good times don't last for long--take a stand, you are never too old, too young, or too poor. 

Nicholl McGuire is the author of the following books:
Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic https://www.createspace.com/3437273
When Mothers Cry https://www.createspace.com/3393499
Laboring to Love Myself https://www.createspace.com/3401526
Laboring to Love an Abusive Mate https://www.createspace.com/3332346
Floral Beauty on a Dead End Street http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/904839
Spiritual Poems By Nicholl http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3113926

How Might You Organize Your Mind?

With so much coming and going out of our minds on a minute by minute basis, it isn't any wonder that we forget things, can't find things, and say and do things that we really don't mean.  So how might you organize your mind so that you can get things done more efficiently while not frustrating the next person you meet?

One.  You write more things down on one large piece of paper rather than many and/or keep track of what you need to do next by noting it in a phone or some other electronic device that will alert you when it's time to complete each task.

Two.  You avoid over-booking yourself and others with far too many things in such a small window of time.  Figure out what tasks aren't priority and how much time/money it will take to get each done while providing more time to do each.  Could some things be stretched out over days rather than hours?

Three.  You don't enlist the help of people who talk too much, have far too many bad habits, and overall have a negative attitude about working.  Ineffective people will do nothing more than aid you in the stress department and cause you to forget even more.

Four.  Check out tools that are known for assisting people manage time better.  Just research your need and then include words like "how to," "software," "video," "tool," and other related words to your needs.

Five.  Think of a place that might help you plan better and arrange to go there as soon as you can.  Sometimes people overlook places that are peaceful, quiet, and good for the soul.  Where might you be able to get away from some of your tasks for awhile in an effort to stimulate more productive thinking?

Six.  Take some time to organize your environment in such a way that benefits you and others.  Think of some of the most disorganized atmospheres for a moment, consider how much time and energy goes into looking for things.  Notice the health issues that might result because of uncleanliness.  Now compare your household or work setting.  Could your place need to be de-cluttered, cleaned, etc.?

With an organized life comes an organized mind, get it together as soon as you can!  Check out more articles on this site that help you tackle your organization challenges one room at a time!

Space-Saving Beds That Will Change Your Life

Prepare Children for What You Want: Teach Them to Organize

On this site there are numerous entries on organizing stuff, and some writings about organizing people.  I felt the need to mention teaching children to get organized on this site, because I know how difficult it can be to manage them.  I have four myself, a past with working and teaching children, and years of experience reading and writing about subject matters related to parenting. 

When it comes to organizing children, you have to keep in mind the following:  they will not listen or catch on right away to what you want (most often to any instruction especially if they don't see any benefit,) they will want to find ways to manipulate you into giving in to their every whim, they are inconsistent, and most of all, they will play adults against one another so that their needs will be met and not yours.  Now with these points in mind, let's start organizing the children shall we.

Before you start planning time to teach children to organize, you might want to talk with others in the household.  You want them to be supportive.  Explain what the benefits are if the children will listen and follow-through with your instructions.  Maybe the garage needs cleaning or maybe the children are often late to school, whatever the issue, something or someone needs to get organized, so do express your concerns to the adult family members.

First, you will want to state your purpose for getting the children involved in your organizing task.  What exactly is it that you want to do?  Do you plan on moving, vacationing, taking them to grandma's house, or do you just want to get them organized in such a way that your household runs smoothly?  With each goal you set, you will have to tweak your schedules to meet your needs.

State the problem and give your children the solution.  You can use visual aids to help make your point or use past examples like, "Remember the last time we got ready to go to the restaurant and you couldn't find your shoes, and your brother took too long looking for his toy, so we ended up having to wait so long for our food?  Well this is why we need to change some things around here and get out the house sooner, okay?"

Let's say, bedtime is a problem and your goal is to get them in bed sooner.  You personally believe children need a consistent bedtime, but someone in the household doesn't care when they go to bed.  A tired child is a fussy and argumentative child.  Cite examples of this behavior that might have led to some strict discipline from your or someone in the household. State the benefits of why certain things must be done in the evening and in the morning to alleviate some of the late nights and irritable moods.  If you know there is a long trip ahead, school event, doctor's appointment, or something else, it would make sense to be sure the child is well-rested.  However, do not expect too much from your son or daughter if you have permitted him or her to stay up all night before a trip or event in the hopes that he or she will sleep at some point--that won't happen without a fight.  In a situation like this, you will have to manage time.  Scale back the typical late bedtime by 5 or 10 minutes each day until you reach the desired time.  Warn the child well in advance when it is time to go to bed.  Sometimes I use a clock with a warning bell when it is getting close to bed time.  The children are expected to start cleaning up.  Post a note to remind everyone when Jack or Jill is supposed to be in bed.  If you are going to be busy for any reason, remind the adult in your child's care to be sure Jack or Jill is in bed.  Plan baths/showers earlier as well as snack times.

Next, what tools will you need to accomplish your task?  Older children will work with you if they can see what you mean.  So note everything you plan to do in a simple way.  List steps, draw a grid, or create pictures.  Meet with the children and post your intentions.  Will this be a task done daily or on select days?  Note the days and times.  This way there is no question when he or she is supposed to help out. 

Third, introduce each task gradually.  Consider this, you wouldn't want someone dumping a bunch of instructions on your lap, while never taking the time to explain each one.  Work with your child.  Get him or her to show you what he or she has learned based on what you have said.  For example, you want an older child to help out more around the house.  So you provide the tools like cleaning products, a bucket, gloves and a rag, you let him or her see you use the tools first.  Then you watch your son or daughter for awhile until he or she does the task to your satisfaction.  Don't be so quick to walk away from your child without taking him or her through several trainings or more.  Compliment your child each time he or she gets better at performing each instruction.

Four, award exceptional efforts.  A child will most likely appreciate doing what you ask, even more, if you promise to do something nice for him or her and stick by what you say.

Lastly, introduce other things that will make the household or elsewhere look and feel more comfortable.  Continue to teach them on how to use certain tools.  Encourage them to watch you and others.  Share Internet videos of children their age doing similar things.  Show them what the end result of each task is supposed to look like.  For example, if you want a clean and organized bathroom, you will show them different items that help them sort and organize.  Arrange for a store visit and explain what each tool for your project does to further their understanding.

The following is a list of things that children can do to help with organizing your environment:

1.  Vacuum

2.  Dust

3.  Clean items ie. ) dishes, walls, doors, tables, windows, etc.

4.  Sort

5.  Place items on shelf units.

6.  Hold things steady while you build.

7.  Hang up items (older children).

8.  Pick up things.

9.  Suggest colors, patterns, prints, tools etc.

10.  Read material and watch videos for ideas.

Take what you have learned when it comes to organizing and share tips with your child.  Walk with him or her to each room of your household and outdoors and point out problem areas.  Get feedback from him or her.  Ask, "how might you organize this room?  What tools do you think we need?  Draw a plan and then share it with me."

Children can do many activities that can be beneficial to the household if only they are taught by someone who is willing to show them. With school breaks and seasonal vacations, these are prime opportunities to introduce something new to your children. When you teach children how to become organized, they will remember when they are older your tips.


Nicholl Mcguire is the author of When Mothers Cry.