Wazazi

"Humans are the only animals that have children on purpose, with the exception of guppies who eat theirs" -P.J. O'Rourke

Dramatic girls come and go. The know-it-all only surfaces every Monday and Wednesday. Your little siblings go to bed at 7:30. But your parents are there, all the time; even when they aren't. Parents can be a tricky obstacle to overcome. Odd, right? Because they weren't always like this, but now that you're a teenager, it's like everything they do is unbearably annoying. Plus, it doesn't help that they don't trust you anymore. And why the heck do they always assume you're lying, we all know you tell the truth at least 15% of the time. It's almost as though you need a new manual for this decade of your life. That's where I come in. Having trouble with your parents? Look no further. This week, we'll cover all the parental basics. So if your grounded, then here's some good reading material.

Kushiriki

YOU have the authority to make your relationships last or disintegrate. It's truly up to you. Make sure that you are frequently making deposits in your RBA and avoid withdrawals at all costs. Although, should you make one, be sure to fix it. Never be too prideful to say I'm sorry. Don't serve others just once; make it a habitual activity. Remember to make time for those that are important in your life. Let people know that you care. Most importantly, listen to people. Understand their body language and know how to communicate and comfort them. As you take the advice I've given you this week and learn on your own through trial and error, you'll be able to have relationships with people that will last. After all, forty years down the road, you're not going to remember the tests you took, what outfits you wore, or what the best movie was. You're going to remember the people you did these things with. Let these memories be happy ones.

Muda

Time:

Last week we talked about time management for tasks and errands and such. But let me ask you this, how much time do you put aside for the people in your life? How well do you know your older sister? When's the last time you talked to your Grandpa? Does your mom know about what's going on in your life? Is there something you could help your dad with? When's the last time you painted your little sister's nails? The last time you played catch with your little brother? Taken your best friend out for some ice cream? Wrote a thank you note to a teacher? Just like how you need to set time apart to get your homework done, you need to allocate some time for the people in your life. Nowadays, with texting and email so prevalent, these things should be made easier, but when did you last use your email other than to send yourself your history paper or to delete all your junkmail? But even with technology, you should make the time to bond with the people in your life. The problem is that this is not a homework assignment you'll be graded on, so how can you find the motivation to do it if you technically don't HAVE to? That's easy, just start by playing Mario Kart with your siblings and you'll quickly learn that there's a lot of things about your siblings that you don't know. Naturally, as you tighten these bonds with people, your relationships will get stronger. Now you just have to make it a priority. Find some time and share it with those that you love.

Mawasiliano

Communication:

If you're misunderstood, it might be YOUR fault. We talked about listening and how that can help you. But, how well do you communicate your thoughts to others. Do you actually think before you speak? How honest is too honest? Are you really going to tell your mother that the dress she's wearing makes her look fat? The things you say have a lasting effect on people, as well as the things you do. As you communicate with others, you need to keep a few things in mind.

1. Be honest, but not too honest
   

   You always hear cliches like Honesty is the best policy, which is true, but sometimes you feel the need to lie. Don't fret. You don't have to, there are ways you can avoid lying but still answer a question. Let's say someone asks you if you like their outfit and YOU think it looks terrible. Pick something about it that you like and compliment it. Oh, I like the color. or Hey, that necklace looks really cool, where did you get it? Asking a follow up question assures a new topic. But sometimes, it's best to be honest with people. Use your judgement, but if you find that it would be best to keep your opinions to yourself, find a way to change the subject or "dodge the bullet" as they say. Honesty is really important though. No one likes a pathological liar. In fact, lying is quite frowned upon. If you feel the need to lie, try to take a different route that still leads you to results that make you happy.



2. Be clear
   

   You have GOT to be 100% perfectly clear with people when you talk to them. Are you someone that usually says Sure or I don't care or Whatever? These are "wishy washy" words. PEOPLE, just answer a question with a simple yes or no. And if you TRULY don't care, then just PICK one. Let's say your life depended on it, just pick one. If somebody asks you your favorite movies, don't say I don't know. Really? You DON'T KNOW. Just pick a movie you like. Your life isn't going to change if you accidentally tell someone your second favorite movie as opposed to your first. If someone asks you what you want to do on Friday, don't say I dunno, come up with an idea, if they shoot you down, who cares, at least you're thinking. Of all things, NEVER say we'll see. There's so much uncertainty in that phrase. The person you're talking to will be confused and not really know what to do. You need to be clear when communicating with others. That's the best way to avoid miscommunication and confusion.



3. Be sincere
   

   Just like when you listen, you need to be sincere when you talk to people. You really should mean what you say. Don't offer backhanded compliments. Sarcasm, though funny, is an easy way to frustrate people in a conversation. Don't respond to people halfheartedly. If you want to talk to someone about something or make a comment, the best way to do it is sincerely. This creates a sense of respect and people will want to talk to you more.

Communication is in important. Your relationships with people will grow for the better if you learn to communicate well and work on your skills. Let's face it, no one wants to talk to an awkward person.

Kuzikiliza

Listen or thy tongue will make thee deaf --Native American Proverb

Evaluate yourself. How often do you speak? How often do you listen? Before high school, I never thought about this. As a matter of fact, I believed that my opinion was the only one that mattered until my mom told me that a wise person is someone who knows when to say nothing. This fact completely shattered the world that revolved around me and I began a new practice: listening. Over the years I've learned that people love to be listened to. People actually get paid to be good listeners and, here's the catch, people PAY to be listened to. What am I talking about? Psychiatrists. How can you become a good psychiatrist to your friends? Or even to your parents? Here's a couple good tips:

1. Mirror people
   

   Whether you're talking to a stranger or in a deep conversation with a friend, mirroring is a technique you should use. You have to make sure you're mirroring rather than mocking, though. How do you mirror someone? Easy, just think like a mirror. Mirrors don't judge or give advice, they reflect. To mirror someone, you observe the type of energy they have and bring yourself to that level. You can reiterate what the person says in your own words to let this person know that you are listening and that you understand. A lot of the time, people just want someone to talk to, this in when you should be a mirror. Through mirroring, you'll be able to tell if it your place to offer advice or take any further steps. But mirroring is just your foundation. There are other steps you can take to be a great listener.



2. Stay focused
   

   It is imperative that you stay focused when talking to someone. Focus on their words and how they feel. If a friend tells you Today, in my art class my teacher told me that I have no creative ability, do NOT say this back Oh really, who is in your art class? That's not at all addressing the problem. Don't get distracted by the superfluous parts of a conversation. You also shouldn't pretend to listen. If someone tries to talk to you about something but the timing isn't good, simply explain that and talk to them another time. You need to try to be selfless while listening too. If your mom comes home and tells you she had a really rough day, ask her about it. Don't tell her that your day was tougher than hers. Don't be a selective listener. If you are only listening to parts of a conversation, you will miss bits and pieces that you'll be expected to know. Finally, make sure that you are paying attention to the body language of the person that you're talking to. The truth is, most of the content of a conversation is in attitude and body language. If you ignore those important cues, you'll miss a lot of the conversation. STAY focused on the words, body language, and attitude of the person you're listening to and you'll understand the conversation much better.



3. Look people straight in the eye
   

   NEVER look down in a conversation. Don't write a quick text message. Forget your surroundings. LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYE WHEN YOU SPEAK TO THEM or when they are talking to you. This is the most important thing you can do the let a person know that you are listening. If you miss out on eye contact, you miss a special aspect of any conversation. So open your eyes and look people into theirs, just don't be a creeper about it.



4. Change your perspective
   

   Try to see where your speaker is coming from. You could be talking to your parents, a boss, siblings, a friend, a teacher, anyone really and not see eye to eye with them. This is entirely normal but instead of being close minded, look from their perspective. Sometimes paradigms limit us from understanding people so it's your responsibility to break those paradigms. Think about the circumstances this person is in. The sooner you can change your perspective, the easier it will be for you to talk to people.



5. Be genuine
   

   When listening to people, don't be fake. Listen genuinely. Ask questions that are relevant and make comments that take more thought than ok or cool. As you learn to listen genuinely, people will want to talk to you more because everyone loves a genuine listener. If you talk to everyone as though you are thoroughly interested in the conversation you're having, people will be drawn to your conversations. Avoid boring responses and remember to focus and you will be a perfect genuine listener.



6. Make people feel comfortable
   

   Be relaxed and attentive when listening. If you fidget and are awkward, your speaker is uncomfortable. Make sure to face your speaker and be open with them. If there is tension, try to loosen it by your attitude, your remarks, or even your body language. As a listener, you have a lot of control over your speaker because your reactions depend on their words.

Being a good listener is extremely important in any relationship. It can show your parents that you respect them. It can show your friends that you care. It can show your siblings you love them. It can show customers your skills. There's truly no downside to being a good listener. So open up those ears and try it out.

Amana na Uondoaji

Deposits and Withdrawals

Now that you know what a relationship bank account is, let's talk deposits and withdrawals.

1. Keep Promises
   
   The phrase I promise should not be thrown down whenever you hope to do something for someone. This is a locked agreement, something you can't get out of. If you promise something, you're morally obligated to do it. Want to ruin your relationship with someone quickly? Break a promise. That would be a massive withdrawal. You lose trust so easily. Unfortunately, trust is much harder to gain than it is to lose. You REALLY need to be careful when making promises. On the plus side, though, if you're exceptional at keeping promises, make them often. Relationships are strengthened greatly when a kept promise is deposited. If you happen to make a withdrawal by skipping out on a promise, it is in the best interest of your relationship that you discover some way to make up for the withdrawal. Earning trust is hard to do but it can be done by making more deposits. Unsure of how to do that? Start small. Follow up with small commitments. Offer to be helpful rather than just do favors. Slowly but surely, these deposits will ensure you with plenty of trust.


2. Be loyal
   
   Loyalty. This aspect of the RBA is absolutely essential. It is SO easy to make withdrawals when it comes to loyalty. How many times do you catch yourself saying something rude about a friend? Withdrawal. Do you hold your tongue while people make mean comments about a friend? Withdrawal. These are two VERY easy withdrawals to make and they create scars on your relationship. Why are these so easy? Let's admit it, finding faults in people is quite simple and, naturally, we wish to share our discoveries with people and learn about their opinions. Additionally, standing by is the easiest thing to do. Why? Because you don't have to do anything. This is difficult because you can make this withdrawal without doing a single thing. While most of these withdrawals are behind the scenes, your friend will most likely learn about your disloyalty and you'll end up with one less friend. How can you counter these withdrawals? Think: Would I say this about Emily if she were standing right here? If the answer is no, you should most definitely NOT say it. You'll also need to develop the integrity needed in order to stand up for your friends. If someone is gossiping about Carissa, make polite but firm comments that explain your thoughts about Carissa and gently guide them into a different discussion. There's no need to make a scene or ensue guilt in the people that were slandering her. Loyalty is BIG in relationships, so make sure that you're depositing the right things into your RBA.


3. Listen
   
   Listening is a KEY ingredient to any relationship and is therefore one of the best deposits you can make. Sometimes, it's important that we open our ears more than our mouths. But hey, we'll talk more about listening tomorrow.


4. Apologize
   
   You can't be ignorant to the mistakes you make. Not only do you have to acknowledge them, but you need to lose your pride and apologize. Apologies can be difficult but choosing to be oblivious to the choices you've made is worse and WILL ruin any relationship because that is a major withdrawal. Don't assume you have to make a big mistake in order to apologize. There's a secret about apologies though: it's actually a weapon. When you're fighting with your mom or a sibling, if you apologize, they can't keep fighting with you; you've surrendered. You can't fight a person that's surrendered. People also tend to respect people that acknowledged their mistakes and take the necessary actions to fix the them. NEVER underestimate the effect of a simple I'm sorry or I was wrong.


5. Set clear expectations
   

MISCOMMUNICATION. The root of all troubles. I can't even begin to count how many fights I've started because I was under false pretenses. The worst part is once you realize what's REALLY happening, you're stuck with a dunce cap. But sometimes, you assume you're making perfect sense and someone else doesn't understand you. So next time your mom asks you to empty the dishwasher, instead of inferring that waiting an hour is ok, ask. You can't help it if you don't understand people, but it is your responsibility to ask if you happen to be missing something. The best thing YOU can do is make sure that YOU are understood. Clarify with people exactly what you want. Write out a sticky note for your mom since she seems to forger that she let you stay out past curfew. As long as you are on the same page with people in your relationships, then your account is rich, but if you frequently say ambiguous things, people will take that as a withdrawal. Don't play mind games with people either. The world isn't your puppet show to manipulate. Be clear, confident, and say what you mean while you mean what you say.

6. Do small acts of kindness
   
   Charity. That's how you do it. THIS is how to have the BEST of all relationships. Tell people you love them. Leave them notes. Make a bed. Prepare a breakfast. Play a quick game of Uno. Serve your pet some fresh food. Do your chores without having to be asked a million times. People, it is through service that you will build your strongest bonds. As you serve others, you lose yourself in your work. When you shift your selfish mindset to the needs of others, your world changes. Similarly, if you frequently cut people down and make backhanded compliments, your relationships will fail. You have to show people you love them. The best way to share this love? SHOW them, and only speak if necessary. Actions serve to prove and testify to the way you feel better than words can. Now, you don't have to parachute out of the sky and deliver chocolates to your mom on Mother's Day, oh no. You just have to get creative. It could be as simplistic or ornate as you wish. It's truly up to you. Either way, it should be your priority to make someone's day.

These are only a few of the deposits and withdrawals that can be made in the RBA. Remember to check these relationships frequently. It's never too late to start making deposits!

Benki

Your Relationship Bank Account:

A Relationship Bank Account (RBA) is Sean Covey's idea, which he begins to explain on page 131 of his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens; but this is my take on it.

As soon as you form a relationship with someone, you open up an account with them; we'll call this account you RBA. The RBA represents the amount of trust and confidence you have in each of your relationships. These relationships are defined by the deposits and withdrawls you make. Deposits strengthen your relationship while withdrawls weaken it. Your RBAs are limitless, unlike real bank accounts. Let's say someone moves into your school and you share a smile or a wave, BAM, you've just opened up an account with that person. You also never close these accounts, which is why it's so easy to pick up where you've left off with a friend. Naturally, deposits are important to have in your RBA but unfortunately fade easily whereas withdrawls are typically set in stone. So be sure to make deposits frequently, no matter how small. So how are your relationships with the people you know? Could they be improved? What kind of deposits and withdrawls should you be making? How do you build a rich relationship or repair a broken one? Don't worry, we'll talk about this account tomorrow. Before you know it, you'll have plenty of rich relationships!

Mahusiano

"Don't wait until someone is dead to bring them flowers," --Anon.

How many people do you know? No, don't go look at your friend count on Facebook. I mean, how many people do you REALLY know? Of those people, how many do you talk to frequently? How are your relationships with them? Randomly write down ten people you know. Go ahead, grab a scrap paper and write their names down. They don't have to be people you like, in fact, they could quite possibly be people you can't stand. Now look at your list. How are your relationships with these people? Can they be improved? Enhanced? Fixed? I can help you with that. This week is all about the relationships you have with people and how you can alter them for the better. So grab your one hundred closest friends and let's get to work.

Msamaha

Managing your time is a lifestyle. If you only write in your planner once, not much will come of it. So Hooray!! You didn't fall into the procrastination trap once. Kudos, you've made one list. Everything I've told you will help you the most if you implement it into your life. Create a lifestyle where you are always managing your time. You will be amazed at how much time you find. You'll also realize that things that used to take you forever, can actually be completed quickly and without hassle. You can do it! Get a clock and start managing.

Uajizi

Procrastination:

Your Achilles' heel. You could have all the motivation in the world, have your priorities straight, and your planner could be filled out but if you let procrastination terrorize you, sure, you'll end up getting it done, but chances are, your end result won't be all you'd hoped because it will have been rushed. Procrastinating creates an unnecessary presence of stress in your life, stress that you don't need. So, then why do we procrastinate? Well, simply put, it offers us temporary relief from our duties. Unfortunately, once those duties return, we are given less time than we had before and excess stress runs into our lives exponentially. This results in sloppy work and, once your deadline passes, you may decide that you just won't do the task you were supposed to. This is a big NO NO. Whether you decided not to take out the garbage or not to complete a research paper, you've shirked your responsibilities and are stuck with two weeks of garbage by next Monday and a D in your history class. So how can you keep yourself from falling into this trap?

1. Every day this week provides perfect tips regarding motivation, prioritizing, and planning which, if followed, will aid in preventing you from procrastinating


2. Don't try to take on more than you can handle
   

   The worst thing you can do is spread yourself too thin. Don't try to do EVERYTHING. If it's hard for you to say no, give it a try. You can politely explain that you have too much to do and that, if possible, you might be able to help them in the future, but be gracious. If you think that you can handle EVERYTHING, you can't. You simply can't. What you need to do is take a humble step down and realize that you have too much on your plate. Don't be afraid to ask people to help you either! There are over 6 billion people on this world, so you should have luck in your favor, because I can guarantee that at least ONE of them can help. So say no and ask for help.



3. 
   
   
   
   
   

   JUST DO IT



4. 
   

   Change your expectations

If you're a perfectionist, you could most definitely look here for the best advice. I know you want to do your work and that you're planning on doing it and, obviously, that you want it done well. Here's a scenario. You're in your room at 8 pm, hoping to be in bed by 10 and you're ready to start on your English paper after a long day of school, practice, and work. You might think, I have to get an A on this paper otherwise my parents will be furious with me, I won't get into college, and I'll be a total failure. I'll do it later when I have a sufficient amount of time and when I feel better. Now let's look at the reality. If you don't do your work now, other things will come up and keep you from doing your work leaving you with absolutely no time. You'll manage a VERY rough draft before, but because you've put it off for so long and you're out of time, that will work. Now, that's not good at all. You had two hours that you could have utilized to edit your paper, but now you're turning in a sloppy rough draft for a final polished paper. Is this what you want? Of course not. Remember that you don't have to start and finish a project all within the same time frame. It's completely alright to pick up where you've left off. Hello, that's why they created the pause button. So get rid of your paradigms and start working. Make the decision to stop procrastinating now. You are not a victim to procrastination. Be proactive and go get some work DONE!

Kumaliza

Getting Things Done:

Motivation? Check. Priorities? Set. Planner? Filled out. Now what? GET 'ER DONE. Here's a nifty system to accomplish the task at hand:

The easiest step to getting things done: write EVERYTHING down. Lists are a teen's best friend. In order to begin the system, you should purchase a little notebook that you can carry around with you wherever you go. As you encounter errands that need to get done--be it an essay or getting the mail--write it down. Now, set aside five minutes a day to analyze this list. As you go through it, decide which items will take two minute and, here's the catch, DO THEM. You've got two minutes to spare, I know you do. So, right there and then, do it. Take the trash out, write that email, throw a load of clothes into the washer. For the things that will take longer, transfer them into your PLANNER and log yourself enough time to get them done. Then, cross everything off on the list and start a new one. As you see this completed list get crumpled and thrown away, you'll feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment because you'll have a visual fo what is getting done. Every thing is either done, or planned to GET done. Now your free of stress and worry. This system will help you in ways you never imagined. It's simplistic nature will trick you into thinking it is a monotonous task in addition to the other tasks you must do, but this will truly help you get organized and make sure you get every single thing done. It will also save you a LOT of time that you can spend doing the things you love, instead of feeling guilty and procrastinating. So run out and buy that little notebook. GET THINGS DONE!

Mpango

PLAN:

This is the key to success in life. You will NEVER get anything done if you don't plan for it. The thing about planning, though, is that you can't just plan things in your head. It's far too easy for something to fall through the cracks. Then, the next thing you know, you're out of Grandma's will for forgetting to send her a card on her 90th birthday. How do you avoid such atrocities? Invest in a planner. If your school doesn't already give you one, roll on into your favorite department or office store and find a planner that catches your eye, or the first planner you see. Doesn't matter to me, as long as you have a planner. The problem is, in order for you to use your planner effectively. You have to know how to use it. So here's some tips

• Look at your planner every day


• Start planning on Sunday


• On Sunday, write down all the events that will happen during the week so, as tasks and assignments pop up during the week, you can plan around those events


• Throughout the week, write down all your homework and tasks


• Allot a time to do each thing, that way, you know WHEN to do it so you don't just keep assuming I'll do it in the future.


• If you find out about a test that's three weeks away, mark it in bold on that day so you are absolutely certain you don't forget.


• Make goals


• Schedule time to relax

Your planner is a great place to write any extra notes or things you think of on the spot. Make your planner your best friend. Take it with you wherever you go. And use it religiously. If you use it diligently, it will save your life. I promise.

Kipaumbele

Setting Priorities:

Get your priorities straight. Chances are, the reason you aren't getting anything done in a timely manner is because you have other activities place before the tasks you need to complete. What do you do when you get home from school? Check Facebook? For how long? Peruse iTunes? Watch TV? And how many episodes do you watch? Have a "light" snack? How light is it really? Even though you are well aware of the stack of homework that awaits you, the piano you need to practice, those letters you need to write, and that 30 minute work out you need to complete, you neglect all these things. But why? You're priorities are out of whack! You need to make sure that you complete the things that NEED to get done before you move on to your luxuries. Yes, of course it's ok to rest after school or work or practice for half an hour, but don't let that 30 minutes turn into 60. PRIORITIZE. Decide what is most important to you; create a list. Return to the list if you need a little refresher or some motivation. Remember that your friends will still be there for you on the weekend while you'll never be able to take that test after Friday. Don't assume that Tosh.O is more important that your biology lab. Daniel Tosh and the cast of The Office can wait until this weekend, you need to get your lab done NOW. So finish it, and if you have more time, watch your shows. If you don't, just wait until the weekend.

Get those priorities straight!!

Kuwahamasisha

Motivation and Productivity:

The keys to getting things done: motivation and productivity. Plain and simplistic. There is no way you will get anything done without the motivation; then, once you have the motivation, it is imperative that you are productive.

Motivation can be a hard thing to receive. If you have trouble getting motivated, there's a few things you can try. Personally, I find my two most effective ways are through rewards and punishments. You could either reward or punish yourself when you either do or don't get things done. I've found it's easiest to reward myself because it takes a LOT of self control to punish yourself, but of course, it's quite easy to give yourself a reward. Here's how it works. You have NO desire to do your math homework. Why? (Other than the obvious I-don't-want-to-exert-myself reason). You want to be on Facebook, watch Youtube videos, text friends, watch a movie, eat food, etc. There are many reasons we don't want to do the things we have to do. So here's what YOU are going to do. Break out your math homework and say to yourself, for every problem I complete, I can eat one chip, or text one person back, or watch one Youtube video. Then, in order to do the thing you WANT to do, suck it up, factor a couple numbers, and then voila! You have yourself ONE delicious chip. Want another one? Show some self control, and do another math problem to EARN it. This reward system can be applied to anything. There's no reason you can't do what you want while or right after accomplishing tasks. You could also reward yourself AFTER doing a big task, with some ice cream or a 30 minute break. You, by no means, have to do EVERYTHING at once in order to be productive. In fact, I'd suggest that you take breaks; just be careful you don't take to many.

Once you have this motivation, BE PRODUCTIVE. Don't get distracted. Create a workspace where you can stay focused. (Which we'll talk about next week). It's all about productivity. If you master these two principles, you'll be able to utilize your time better and get done with things faster than you imagined you could! Best of luck!

Siri

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started, the secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one," --Mark Twain

You are given all the time in the world and YOU decide what to do with it. Don't waste a minute. Don't give up a day. You get one chance to make a minute count, sure, you'll get another chance to utilize ANOTHER minute in 60 seconds, but you'll never get THAT minute, the one you wasted, again. Time is of the essence and it takes a lot of motivation to make sure you are utilizing your time for the best. So use your minutes wisely as we learn this week about time management.

Hitimisho

All I can hope is that this week, you learned some great tips to organize the mini corners of your life. As you implement these ideas, you'll find yourself gain control. In turn, you'll find confidence and reassurance that you have control. You have control. Don't lose it.

Pakiti

Your Backpack:

Backpacks. They're typically loaded up with things and knick knacks too with anything you'd want or need. So the question is..can you find it? Dora will not be there to help you find whatever you need in your backpack. As a teenager, you have been called upon to take responsibility for the contents of your beloved backpack. Make sure you know WHAT is in your backpack and WHERE to find it. I have a best friend who has always had problems finding anything from papers to keys in her backpack. She frequently loses gum to the recesses of its deep pockets as well as any and every pencil. If this sounds even remotely like you, then take note..

1. Dump out your backpack.


2. Use the pile technique to decide what you wish to keep in your backpack and what belongs in the trash.


3. The deciding factor of whether or not you have an organized backpack lies within what the contents of it are. If your folders and spirals are messy and you plan on putting them in your backpack, the clutter will spread. Unsure of how to do this? Let's take a sidebar..

SIDEBAR

Over the years, I've experimented with different ways to organize my school work. This is a system that I've found most successful:

1. For school, you need at least a half inch, three ring binder for each class. In each of these binders, you'll want to have dividers that you can personalize after being in class for a week or so because then you'll have a better understanding as to what you'll be putting in your binder. In the back of your binder, put some loose leaf paper, just in case you need it. When you get papers, place them behind their appropriate divider. Usually, binders have a built in sleeve; there, you can place a paper that you might need in the near future. This system should make finding papers a breeze.


2. The only other thing you'll need is a folder: nice and sturdy. THIS is your homework folder. On the left side of it, place your homework. Transfer your homework over to the right side once it's completed. It's that simple. You may not see the benefits you'll reap from this yet, but let me explain. By having all your homework in one location, you'll save yourself time and back strains and you'll lose a significant amount of stress. All miracles, right? So now you wonder How will I save myself time and from back strains? You'll spend less time searching for your homework and have less in your backpack. Instead of taking each binder home, since binders typically only have the materials you'll need for class, you'll just take this folder. Now, when you go home, all you have in your backpack is a homework folder and any books you might need to accomplish your homework. How can this be a stress reliever? Well let me ask you this: how many times have you forgotten about, lost, misplaced, or can't find your homework (either done or not done). I used to find myself hitting my head against a wall because I didn't do my homework since I'd forgotten it was assigned. With a homework folder, EVERY assignment you have will be on the left side. Go through it when you get home. Decide what needs to get done and what you have a little bit more time on. This will save you from forgetting to do your homework. How many times have you gotten to school and realized that you have NO idea where your homework is. Now everyone is passing theirs up and you're searching though every binder, flipping every page, going over your steps countless times in your head. Where is it? With a homework folder, as soon as your teacher asks you to pass up your assignment, just whip out your folder and snatch it from the right side. And there you are. Homework folders are life savers. There is one catch though: if you forget your homework folder at home, you are in SO much trouble for the next 8 hours of your life. So make absolutely sure that you have your homework folder before you leave. It only takes one day without it to remember every morning from then on.

Back to business..

4. Now that your school supplies are organized, you can confidently store them in your backpack.

The last thing I have to say about backpacks, is that they have lots of fun pockets. Get organized. Don't just throw everything in your bag, you'll never find it. So use all those zippers and pockets. Don't be shy to use your backpack to its fullest potential.

Finally, revisit the state of your backpack often; if it appears as though it's getting cluttered, spruce it up abit. Once you're organized, it's just a matter of maintaining that organization.

Chumbani

Your Closet:

I've always found it relatively confusing when I find clothes on the floor right under some perfectly functioning hangers. And how are you supposed to find a shoe when it's in a colorful mess of all your other shoes? Then after you've looked everywhere for your jacket, you end up facing the cold. Let's lose our pride and realize that all these things could be avoided quite simply. How? You ask. Here's how:

1. Take everything out of your closet: clothes, shoes, old notebooks, random boxes, etc.


2. Once again, make piles of what you do and don't want to keep.


3. Now, ORGANIZE

Closets are a great place to store things. Typically, you can find shelves at the top of your closet where you can neatly store anything that you need, but may not necessitate immediate access to these things. It's best to package and label them, if needed. You can consider it your own personal attic. As for the rods in your closet, it's best to store clothes there, though if you feel the need, I suppose you could get creative and store something else. Here's the thing though, do NOT just hang clothes all willy nilly; you'll never find anything in your closet that way. Organize your clothes into categories: pants, tops, skirts, ties, dresses, uniforms, winter vs summer clothes, etc. If you're feeling extra adventurous, you could even organize them in rainbow order for additional finding ease. Finally, there's the floor of your closet. In my humble opinion, the only things that belong on that floor are your shoes and a hamper. Feel free to organize your shoes. Go ahead and match each pair and set them in a straight line. As for the walls of your closet, you could add a mirror or invest in some hooks. Hooks can be helpful if you use a certain article of clothing all the time, that way you can quickly hang it on a hook as opposed to finding an open hanger and hanging that item of clothing. Your closet can become more than manageable if you frequently clean and reorganize it. It may sound like a lot of work, but it saves you time in the end and helps you to keep track of all your things.

Dawati

Your Desk:

Or more commonly known as your disaster zone. I typically find desks filled with unnecessary knick knacks, "antiques," and, of course, trash. But it doesn't bother people because it's a hidden mess. But let's talk about the top of your desk. Can you even work on it or is it strewn with foreign papers and old candy wrappers from Halloween? Or maybe you have EVERYTHING you need on your desk, but that's just the problem. I clean my desk similarly to how I clean my locker and car: strip. it. clean. Here's the process:

1. Take EVERY SINGLE THING out of your desk. Just take it all out.


2. Here we go again, making piles: Pile 1: DESK and Pile 2: TRASH.
   

   There are two kinds of people in this world: people that hoard and people that well, don't. You need to find the balance. Here's an easy way to decide what to keep and what to throw away. If you haven't used it in a year and it doesn't have sentimental value, THROW IT AWAY. Truly ask yourself if you would use the item again. SO many times we keep things because it's either hard to let go of or because we THINK we need it. Chances are, you don't need it.

   
   

   Things have a tendency to get lost in desks. Obviously, since the contents of your desk are now on the floor, you've found them. So don't just look as some Chapstick and think Yep, Chapstick, I'll be using that in the near future. Open it up and examine how old it is. It may be time for a new stick. Do the same with pens. Don't look at a pen and know you need it; test it out. Additionally, before deciding to keep every pen, pencil, or marker, remember that you can only use one pen at a time, so you really shouldn't need more than two: one for you, one as a backup. If you have more than two pens that are in fine working condition, distribute them to other places: backpacks, purses, office. Feel free to apply this principle to more than just Chapstick and pens.

   
   

   PSA ON TRASH: Before throwing EVERYTHING in the trash, decide whether or not it is truly trash or just gently used. You'll find many things that you can donate or give to a friend. It's also important to recycle all those papers you find!



3. Once everything is sorted, it's time to get organized. There are SO many nifty little desk organizers at any office supply store, but I've cleaned out old cans and Mason jars to hold all the things I need on my desk. Since I am a girl, I decorated them with ribbons and flowers and such, but for the guys, I'd suggest leaving them as the are for a cool "I-really-don't-care" look. Shoe boxes are also fun to play with when it comes to creating your own organizers. Here's what has worked for me:
   

   On my desk I have 4 soup cans, an oatmeal tin I cut in half, some cereal boxes, and some shoe boxes. Each soup can holds a different writing utensil: pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, and Sharpies. Then in one of my oatmeal tins, since it's larger than the soup cans, I put all my colored pencils. My other, I call a miscellaneous box where I put scissors, tape, a thumb stapler, and any quick tool I might need at my desk. I use the cereal boxes to file papers by what needs to be done THAT day, in the near future, and what has been done. That way, I know that if I go to bed with my first box completely empty, then I'll be good for the next day. Finally, I have a shoebox full of candies and, you guessed it, Chick-fil-a mints. Like I already mentioned, I added my own flair to these items, as can you. Get creative! Use scrapbooking supplies or the comics section of the newspaper--or even the boring section of the newspaper. Use wrapping paper! Use a paper bag from King Soopers. The possibilities are truly endless. You don't need to spend money to be organized.



4. Don't throw everything in a drawer or on a shelf. Section out the things you want to put in your desk. It will be easier to find and look nicer too! Whatever you put in your desk is up to you. I have a drawer of lip-gloss, one of paper, one of all the electronics I have, and one for all my journals. No one will judge you for what you put in your desk; just make sure it's nice and neat!

Now that everything's in place, you can get to work! (Which we will talk about NEXT week.)

Gari

Your Car:

Do you apologize for the condition of your car every time you give rides? Is there a mysterious stench emanating from an unknown source? Is that a french fry or a pencil? People, your car is your mobile home, except it doesn't come with a mom to clean it or make you sandwiches. Keeping your car clean and organized is a way to answer all these questions. Naturally, this will take some time, so I'd set aside an hour or two for this project. (Time is a mere guestimate as some cars will need more work than others).

1. Take EVERYTHING out of your car: CDs, trash, knick knacks, papers, the flashlight you have in your glove box or the gloves that should be in your glove box, etc.


2. Make two piles; this will be eerily similar if you've already organized your locker except this time the piles are: Pile 1: CAR and Pile 2: TRASH.
   

   Throw away ALL your trash and KEEP it out. Designate a spot in your car that you can just throw trash momentarily--except the floor. Then, either once a week or when it's full, throw all your trash away. That way, it won't be everywhere.

   
   

   Look EVERYWHERE for trash, not just the floor. More times than not, there will be trash shoved in between seats, in the rear seat pockets, and anywhere in between. These are not keepsakes; throw them away.



3. The middle console of your car is NOT a trash can. NOT. It is a place where you can NEATLY store your sunglasses, CDs, and anything else you might NEED in your car. Me? I keep a massive stash of Chick-fil-a mints along with my makeup, CDs, window markers (for when my friends and I decide to be hooligans), and some extra things I need on the road. The mints are fun because I offer them to every passenger and savor them any time I'm in need of a little extra something.


4. Ever find yourself in a drive thru looking everywhere for an extra penny? Bring a little cup and put all your spare change in it. Some cars even have nifty little organizers like those people at arcades!! So cool.


5. Add some personality to your ride. I have pictures and little sentiments in the visors of my car. Grab an air freshener to give your car an extra fun smell. HANG THINGS FROM YOUR MIRROR. It could be anything! One of my friends has a Buddha on her dash. Then there's always that swaying hula girl. Hang a favorite necklace or charm. If the interior of your car has loose fabric, you can pin things to it: breast cancer ribbons, notes, anything small, really. Whatever you do, make it all about YOU.


6. Keep your trunk free of clutter. Do you REALLY need everything that's in there? Really? Everything? Heck no, clean it out.


7. The best way to keep a car clean? DO NOT EAT IN IT. Ask any of the people I drive around, I have a NO food rule in my car. I'm such a psycho about it that one of my friends tried to clean up the drink she accidentally spilled with the shirt she was wearing. Good news: it worked. In all honesty though, food is the downfall to any car. It creates lasting, unpleasant aromas and has a very high probability of causing a mess. But whether or not you choose to follow this advice, ALWAYS have napkins somewhere in your car. This has proven to be a lifesaver multiple times.


8. WASH YOUR CAR FREQUENTLY. If you spruce up your car regularly, the interior can keep clean for a while, but clean the outside of your car as much as you can. And when you do, vacuum around the inside. Spritz your favorite sanitizer onto the dash and steering wheel. Why not throw in a couple sprays of Febreeze while you're at it? Don't forget about your mats!

With a clean and organized car, you can invite people to join you for a ride without having to go red with embarrassment.

Kuhifadhi

Your Locker:

This is one small space in your life that you can control: organize it. Lockers are a great place to store all the supplies you need for the school day, but it can be hard to find anything if the contents of your backpack are frequently thrown into the chaos of your locker. Here's an easy process to turn your locker from a malodorous mess to a crisp cleanliness in less than ten minutes.

1. Take EVERYTHING out of your locker.
   

   Don't be shy, there's an entire hallway full of linoleum floor for you to temporarily place your things.



2. Grab your handy dandy locker shelf that you bought at Walmart beforehand and place it into said locker.
   

   Locker shelves are one of the best inventions known to man. They help you section out your locker and it doubles the area you have in your locker so that you don't try to place everything on a 2' by 1' surface.



3. Take a look at the contents of your locker and organize them into two piles.
   

   Pile 1: LOCKER. Pile 2: TRASH. You'd be surprised at how many things reside in your locker that you don't need: THROW THEM AWAY. If you haven't used it in the past month, chances are, you don't need it. So you can regift or recycle. Either way, it shouldn't go back into your locker.



4. Now place everything in the locker pile into your, yes, locker.
   

   Here's where you can let your creativity flow. Section out your locker. These sections could be, but are not limited to: school supplies, clothes, food. Whatever the case may be, separate out your things. Take a gander at this here drawing to completely understand what I mean.

Don't be afraid to decorate your locker. Little dry erase boards are helpful. Sticky notes are fun. Pictures are memorable. But be a bit more creative. My friend has a touch lamp in her locker. Another one of my friends goes to the thrift store and finds random trinkets to put in his locker. Deck your locker out in personality.

Note: this is a much more successful process if done any time other than passing period.

Kudhibiti

"But tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun,"--The Beatles

This week: Start with something small The biggest problem that people encounter: psyching themselves out when it comes to SEEMINGLY massive projects. You see, the main reason people have this problem is because they tend to feel like they don't have control. To counter this type of situation: BREAK IT DOWN. Doing so GIVES you control. Just start with something small and work your way through it, then start on the next one. In this world, there are so many variables that you cannot control. They CAN control you if YOU let them. My advice? Pick a mini section of your world and take control. As you gain control of the little things in your life, they'll start to add up. But for now. Start here.

Kuanza hapa

Ahoy teenagers! And others who may be perusing this blog--precursor: this blog is aimed towards teenagers but can be more than applicable, I'm sure to those well past their teen years. I am here to give YOU fun and exciting tips that I hope will improve your life because, as washed up pop sensation, Hannah Montana, said, "Nobody's Perfect." Now, your life is a big project to tackle. It's been developing for quite some time so how are you supposed to just change it? You are welcome to go about this any way you wish, but NOTHING happens overnight, except marathons of MASH (ask your parents or Google, the substitute parent). Here's how we're going to accomplish this overwhelming task: bit by bit. Each bit will be a theme for the week presented on Sundays. Along with the theme, you'll find yourself a nifty inspirational quote. The rest of the week will be filled with information following that theme. Until then! *Notice the titles are written in Swahili.