A few weeks ago, an employee at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency was working on his TO DO list. One of the items that day was to initiate an internal test of the emergency missile warning system. Using his computer program's drop-down menu, he saw two options: 'Test missile alert' and 'Missile alert.'

He choose the wrong one. Immediately, this message went out to Hawaii residents and tourists on cell phones, 'Ballistic Missile Threat Inbound to Hawaii. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a drill.'

As you can imagine, this caused a wave of panic...and continued for nearly 40 minutes until people were informed that it was all a big mistake. 40 minutes.

Good news that there was no attack...but holy cow.

I'm not faulting the employee in any manner. Anyone can make an error like this, especially when the system is 'set up' to make making that error as easy as could be.

I'm not sure who's idea it was to program these two options right next to each other...or who actually approved that choice. I'm not sure how clicking this option didn't end up in an 'Are you sure?' and 'Are you absolutely, positively sure?' message before sending. I'd like to think that if I was in charge of programming, those two options would have been nowhere near each other. That choice was akin to having a light switch in your house. If it's down, it means 'turn light off' and if it's up it means 'implode house.'

Still, it is yet another reminder that there are actions and choices we might be doing/making in life that can result in not-so-great situations.

For instance, a few years ago, neighbors of ours turned on their gas grill on their deck, and went back in the house. They forgot it was on...they did not set up a timer to alert them when the grill would be at the proper temperature. The grill was a little too close to their house and the neighbors took a little too long to check it. This resulted in the siding of their home literally melting and thousands of dollars in damage.

Another example...a friend of mine purchased theater tickets (that she was supposed to pick up will-call...so no paper tickets) a few months ago, and entered the date into her computer calendar...the same computer that she never backs up because, she says, the back-up utility she's using makes her computer run slow. We all know where this is going. Her computer crashed last week, and she ended up having to rebuild her calendar. Guess what she forgot to enter? You guessed it...the theater date...which she remembered the day after the performance. Several bad choices resulted in a very sad friend.

What about a home that's overrun with clutter? That home began, when it was built, as a perfectly empty home. But all it takes to begin a downward spiral is the choice to toss a pile of mail on the kitchen table and neglect it, or the choice to kick off a pair of shoes near an entryway and not put them back into the closet.

Yes, things happen on a daily basis that we don't have any control over. Not everything is preventable. BUT, we can avoid MANY challenges in our lives by thinking ahead...by not only thinking about what we're doing right now at any given second, but also looking ahead to what could happen down the line as a result of our choices...and perhaps adjusting those choices for the best-case scenarios.

This is part of good organization.

On a final note, I really hope that computer system in Hawaii is reprogrammed. It's no fun starting the day out thinking the world is coming to an end.

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February Monthly Checklist: It's the second month of 2018...the perfect time to recharge! Let's make this your most organized month yet. Check out our NEW February 2018 Organizing Checklist
getorganizednow.com/organizing-checklist-feb.html



GON Organizing Kids: Kids dress-up costumes in a big, messy pile? Here's help
getorganizednow.com/organizing-kids-dress-up.html



GON My Life?: 3 things I really like...and you may too!
getorganizednow.com/mylife-maria-likes-feb18.html





Dirty Little Secret: Did you know you could add these 5 things to your bath to make each experience extra special?
getorganizednow.com/dirty-little-secret-special-bath.html




Mini Challenges: By now, lots of people have gone astray with their New Year's resolutions. But that's OK, because every day is a new opportunity for new goals and new successes. Here are seven challenges for you this week.each meant to be accomplished and celebrated!
getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-momentum.html



In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...


Vote in Our New Web Poll Our question is: Do you feel you could be doing something better with your life right now? Take a moment to cast your vote in our poll and let us know. You'll be able to see up-to-the-second results, of all our readers, immediately.
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Theme of the Week: Our theme of the week is 'momentum' and my home page quotes reflect that.
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1) Finalize plans for Superbowl Sunday. Will you be hosting a party for the big game...or going to one? This week is a good week to finalize plans. Here's a mini checklist if you're hosting:
Main Food
Snacks
Dessert
Serving Dishes and Bowls
Crockpots or Sternos (to keep food warm)
Beverages
Coasters
Bottle Openers
Coolers
Ice
Disposable Dishes/Plates/Cups/Napkins
Decor
Seating
Towels/Cleaning Products (for spills and such)

2) Clean out the eating utensil drawer. It's amazing how many crumbs and how much dust ends up in the utensil drawer...even though you're putting clean silverware back into it. Empty it out, vacuum it out with a hand vacuum or wipe it clean...a damp paper towel will help you pick up debris. If you use silverware trays, clean those out too...I usually stick mine in the dishwasher. Finally, organize your eating utensils back in, weeding out any utensils you no longer use.

3) Do something nice for your computer. Computers tend to get overrun with clutter, and this is rarely even noticed, until they crash. Spend some time this week deleting old, outdated files (documents, photos you don't want, etc.) and uninstalling programs you don't plan to ever use again.

'We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.'
--Albert Einstein




I'd love to hear from you.
Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

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