We constantly receive internal and external messages. Do they help or hurt you? Have you heard of the 5:1 magic ratio? Research suggests to counteract the sticky Velcro-like negativity bias, it takes approximately five positive encounters, thoughts, or experiences for every negative one.

Consider fortifying your Personal Positivity Bank by making regular deposits. Here are a few ways to build your reserves:

• Create a “Feel Good” file with positive emails, notes, or letters you received from family, friends, clients, or colleagues:

• Keep an ongoing gratitude list

• Connect with nature

• Prioritize self-care

• Spend time with people who energize and uplift rather than drain you

• Display positive reminders in your environment

Today, I am focusing on that last one, the visible messages you see every day. I’m sharing several of my favorites below. I’ve written before about the fidget bowl on my desk. This fun collection of miniature objects combines word reminders, trinkets from places visited, old toys, and visual and tactile delights. Playing with the tiny pieces while I’m in meetings helps me focus. Having uplifting messages front and center enhances my well-being. What encouraging messages will you surround yourself with?

7 Ways the Reminders You Display Will Help You Each Day

1. Bloom Where You’re Planted

Bloom where you’re planted encourages me to embrace the growth mindset anywhere, anytime. Every encounter, action, observation, experience, success, and failure are opportunities to learn, expand, and blossom.

2. Head & Heart

Navigating life’s hiccups and choices can be stressful. “Head & Heart” reminds me to use my cognitive and sensing gifts to support positive decisions and outcomes. While not included in this purple pin, my gut is another guiding element. When I listen, it leads me with a distinct “yes” or “no.”

3. Nourish

My Word of the Year is nourish. This essential encourages me to feed my heart, mind, and body so they feel nurtured, positive, and supported to thrive. My heart wants connection. My mind needs stimulation, and my body wants loving care.

4. You Are Here

While these words are often found to locate yourself on a map, to me, they embody presence. Especially when my mind is racing, and even when it’s not, this message prompts me to pause, notice, and ground myself with where I am, what I’m doing, what I’m feeling, and what I’m experiencing. When distracted, I use these words to gently bring me back, reset, and move on.

“Fortify your Personal Positivity Bank by making regular deposits.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

5. Oy Vey!

Years ago, I gave my dad this blue “Oy Vey!” computer key. It became a favorite inside joke between us, and one of the many things that connected us was our shared sense of humor. This message reminds me that things in life have the potential to go sideways. However, my sense of humor can bring a brighter perspective and allow me to laugh at myself during difficult situations.

6. Radiate Positivity

According to the CliftonStrengths assessment, one of my top strengths is Positivity. Seeing the “Radiate Positivity” button helps me with several things:

• It reminds me to continuously develop and live from my strengths.

• My natural inclination towards positivity helps me be resilient and growth-oriented.

• Positivity is ‘catching,’ so my mood can have an encouraging effect on others.

7. Exhale the Bullshit

This new pin has quickly become a favorite. We all experience life ‘stuff’ (aka difficult situations, conflicts, threats, bullshit). During those challenging encounters, you can experience emotional hijacking. Stress triggers are sent to the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for emotional processing. Your automatic warning system goes on high alert, and your body wants to protect you. Your heart races, your palms sweat, your face flushes, and your breathing turns rapid or shallow.

“Exhale the Bullshit” reminds me to take a deep breath through my nose and a longer exhale through my mouth. Repeating that several times, I soothe my system, access the rational part of my brain, and am better equipped to respond calmly to the circumstance.

How does having positive visual reminders help and influence your day? What helpful messages are in your view? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

It’s that time of year. Leaves are turning, classes are starting, and new school supplies are flying off store shelves. The other day I came across an old pre-printed pad, “A Note to School from Linda Samuels,” which I no longer use since our daughters are in college and beyond. Seeing the notepad made me think about all the years of excited anticipation we had preparing for school to begin.

Are you and your kids ready for the transition? Take a deep breath. Getting that organizing piece working for you can make a big difference in your days running more smoothly. Here are my top seven tips for an organized, joyful school year.

7 Organizing Help Tips for Back to School

1. Cycle

Giving closure to the previous school year helps us get ready for this year. Sort through last year’s school papers (preferably with your kids.) It’s an excellent opportunity to review what was accomplished and what they were most proud of. It gives you a chance to create a mini time capsule representing last year. Be ruthless when you sort. Save what’s most meaningful and recycle the rest. Store the “keepers” in a large envelope. Write your kid’s name, grade, and year on the outside. Store the envelope in a larger container. Add a new envelope at the end of each school year. 

2. Capture

Establish a place to put the current school papers as they enter your home. You can use bins, binders, boxes, or any container that’s easily accessible. As art, graded papers, or programs come in, put them in their designated spot. You might want a separate container for each kid. When the container gets full, you can do some editing. Then the “keepers” can be stored in their year-end envelope, as described above.

3. Land

Create a place for backpacks, coats, and notes to reside. When kids come home, they will know where to put their belongings. Cubbies work well, as do hooks. Make them easily accessible in terms of their physical placement in the home and the heights at which you place things. The easier you make it, the better chance you will establish the “place it here” habit. Consider adding a whiteboard or other communication center in this area to leave notes, messages, and essential items for kids to remember. Before bed, have your kids make sure that all needed items are ready in the “land” area for the following day.

“Giving closure to the previous school year helps us get ready for this year.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVPO™

4. Center

One of the essential ingredients for school success is establishing a place to do homework and readily available school supplies. When it’s time to do that science project, it’s no fun if you have to hunt for the markers. Review your current supplies to see if any items need to be replenished. Create a zone for the supplies to reside. If your kids like to move around to various locations to do their homework, put together a portable tote, bin, or rolling cart to hold the supplies. Whether they prefer working on a desk, bed, or the kitchen table, the supplies can “travel” with your kids. 

5. Assess

Fall is a natural time to review clothing needs. Organize with each kid separately. Go through their closets and drawers. Remove any items that no longer fit, they won’t wear, need repair or cleaning. With the “do not want or fit,” donate or save for younger kids if appropriate. Make a shopping list of items that are needed. Remember that less is easier to maintain than too much. Factor in how often laundry is done. Especially if it’s done frequently, you may not need as many clothes. Getting dressed is so much easier and less stressful when everything fits, is clean and organized.

6. Resources

This is the time of year when back to school tips and suggestions are abundant. Many of my organizing colleagues have great wisdom to share. Some of my favorite tips and posts are Leslie Josel’s Student Organizing Pinterest board, Helena Alkhas’ school paper organizing system, and Ellen Delap’s Back to School Tips to Organize Your Home. You can also find inspiration on my Pinterest board, Oh, So Organized School Days!

7. Perspective

With transitions come new patterns, more to-dos, and extra stress. Reminding ourselves to enjoy the moments can be helpful. They go so fast. A few years ago, I wrote a guest post for Working Mother, Moms’ ‘To Do’ Lists about getting things done, parenting, and appreciating the various stages of our children’s lives.

What are some of your favorite ways to stay organized for the school year? I invite you to join the conversation and to share your best tips and resources.