Controlling the Chaos That Is Your Computer

Computers are often used to complete homework ...
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Any college student will tell you that completing and turning in written assignments would not happen if not for their computer. Any college student will also tell you that ninety percent of their time spent on their computer is spent trying to remember just what they labeled their assignment and where it ended up in the great mess that is their computer. Unfortunately for many college students, the ability to organize, or rather the time to organize, does not come easily. However, organizing your computer is very easy and very painless process. And in retrospect of all the time one would spend searching their computer for documents, organizing the mess is a time saver.

The first step in organizing your computer is to recognize similarities between documents. For instance, if you are an English major and there are a great many documents on Early American Literature, a folder for the topic should be created. Another way to determine what folders you need to create would be find a theme. Perhaps you want to designate folders for particular classes and place all homework assignments in that folder.

Another important step in organization is to label documents with descriptive words. Rather than simple labeling a document ‘writing assignment’, label it ‘Poe Poem Response’. By clearly labeling documents it will be able to find what you are looking for quickly without having to open up every ‘writing assignment’ you ever did. Labeling will also you determine into what folder the document needs to go.

Organizing is as much about storing documents as it is letting go of documents. If there are still documents that you have saved from high school, it is time to say goodbye. Look at the documents that you have on your computer. If you have not opened the document in months, and will probably never open it again, it is time to get ride of it. De-cluttering your computer is as important as organizing it.

Busting Clutter – Helpful tips to simplify and organize your possessions

One of the challenges of everyday life in our abundant universe is learning to organize our cherished belongings. Jumbled closets, junk drawers, crowded basements and stuffed garages speak volumes about the excess clogging our lives. All those so-called cherished treasures you just can’t seem to let go of have been blocking the natural flow of new things, and ideas coming in.

Knowing the difference between active and passive clutter is the key. An artists array of paints, brushes, and easels, a chef’s assembly of pots, pans and cooking utensils, a carpenter’s measuring tape, toolbox, nails, and building materials; all of these are examples of active chaos, and represent the ongoing nature of creativity in action.

Passive clutter, such as a kitchen counter piled with dirty dishes, or baskets of ironing you haven’t touched in years, stacks of magazines and newspapers you saved because you intended to read them, but haven’t found the time! All these are examples of chaos left too long unattended. Passive clutter is stagnant. It’s a dead zone in your way, and it represents creativity lost in chaos. To unblock yourself energetically, you need to clear passive chaos in order to make way for new things to flow back in.

Knowing what to keep, and what to throw away is as simple as asking yourself a few simple questions:
- Do I love this?
- Do I use it?
- Does it work, or does it need fixing, and if so, am I willing to fix it right now?
- If this object holds sentimental meaning for me, does it represent the person I am today?

Once you’ve identified what needs to be cleared, you can sell it, give it away, or throw it out. If you lack the resolve to tackle the task all by yourself, ask a friend or family member to help, or if you’re too busy, hire a professional organizer. Watch what happens as you begin to clear your environment of all that unnecessary stuff. Your mind and spirit will be re-energized, your home will be nurtured, and your vitality will astound you.