| How to Camp Without a Tent Posted: 26 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT Camping is already fun, but sleeping without a tent can make it even more exciting and adventurous. It also saves you from lugging around as much heavy gear! If you'd like to try tent-free camping, look into tent alternatives to keep you safe and cozy while you sleep. You'll also need to take extra measures to protect yourself from bugs and the elements. EditUsing Tent Alternatives - Get a bivy sack for warmth and protection. A bivy sack or bivy bag is like a cross between a tent and a sleeping bag. A bivy is made of waterproof, breathable material—just like a tent—so it will protect you from bugs and the elements. It's just large enough for one person to sleep in, but won't give you space to change clothes or store your gear.[1]
- If you choose a bivy bag, you can give yourself extra warmth and comfort by stuffing a sleeping bag inside.
- Bivy bags are a great alternative to tents, since they offer the same protection but are much more lightweight.
- Use a tarp if you want to sleep in the open but expect rain. If you find bivy bags too constricting but don't want the hassle of carrying and setting up a full tent, a tarp is a good option. If you're camping in a spot with trees, you can secure at least one corner of the tarp to a tree and then fasten the rest of the tarp to the ground to create a quick and easy shelter.[2]
- You'll need to bring twine or rope and tent pegs to secure the tarp in place.
- If the ground is wet, place a waterproof sheet or a second tarp on the ground underneath you to keep you dry during the night.
- A tarp will protect you from the rain (if the rain isn't too heavy or wind-driven) and from the sun, but it won't keep out bugs or cold air.
- Try a hammock if the weather is clear. If it's a nice night and you'd like to sleep under the stars, a hammock is a fun and cozy option. You'll need to find a spot where there are trees or posts that you can attach your hammock to, as well as enough shelter to protect you from nighttime wind chill. You can also hang up a tarp or tent fly above you for extra protection from the weather.[3]
- To get a comfortable night's sleep, you may need to line your hammock with a sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Lying diagonally in the hammock can also keep you from feeling uncomfortably scrunched up during the night.
- Make sure there's enough space between the trees or posts so that you can string up your hammock lead lines at a 30° angle. A sharper angle will put strain on the hammock and the trees.
- Build a lean-to if you have access to branches and leaves. If you'd rather not bring a prefabricated shelter, you can also try making your own. There are various ways to build a lean-to, but one of the simplest is to prop a sturdy branch against a tree and then lean sticks against it to create an angled shelter. Cover the sticks with a layer of leaf litter or small twigs for extra protection.[4]
- If you have a tarp, you can lay it over the lean-to to add a water-proof layer, or put it on the ground beneath the lean-to to keep you warm, dry, and relatively protected from bugs.
- If you're really roughing it, you can also create a "bed" out of leaf litter beneath the lean-to.
- You may need rope or twine to secure the branches in place.
- Camp in a vehicle for extra security and comfort. If you're looking for a more luxurious tent-free experience, you can always camp in an RV, a camper, or even your car. Just check ahead to make sure that vehicle camping is allowed at your chosen camp site.
- If you have a pickup truck, you can lay out a sleeping pad and sleeping bag in the truck bed. If your truck has a luggage rack, you can throw a tarp over it for extra protection from wind and rain.
EditProtecting Yourself from the Elements - Check the weather conditions before you camp. Before you begin your tent-free adventure, look at the weather forecast for the time and location of your camping trip. If it will be cold, wet, or windy, you'll need to prepare appropriately.[5]
- If there's a chance of bad weather, consider bringing a tent as a backup plan. Even if the forecast is good, it's a good idea to bring a tarp in case of unexpected rain.
- Choose an elevated area to avoid floods and dampness. Even if you're not expecting rain, it's a good idea to avoid sleeping in low-lying areas. Sleeping at the bottom of a slope can leave you exposed to unexpected flooding, dampness, and even rock or mudslides. Try to find relatively high, flat ground.[6]
- If you do sleep on a slope, orient yourself so that your head faces uphill.
- Select a spot where the ground isn't too rocky. Even with a sleeping pad and soft sleeping bag, sleeping on rocky or bumpy ground is very uncomfortable. Look for a spot where the ground is flat and free of sharp rocks and sticks.[7]
- If you can, clear away any sharp objects on the ground before you set up camp.
- Apply bug spray to stave off pests. One of the biggest drawbacks to tent-free camping is that you'll have to deal with bugs.[8] Before you bed down for the night, spray yourself and your equipment down with a powerful DEET-based bug spray, preferably with a concentration of at least 30%.[9]
- You can also protect yourself from bugs (while still getting an open-air experience) with some mosquito netting or a small mosquito tent.
- For extra protection from mosquitos and ticks, consider pre-treating your gear and clothing with permethrin spray. Follow the application instructions on the label carefully, and let all items dry completely before using them.[10]
- Dress appropriately for the weather. Even if it's relatively warm out, temperatures can drop at night. Pack comfortable clothes that protect your skin from the elements, and bring some extra layers you can wear while you sleep. If you expect cold temperatures, you can protect yourself by:[11]
- Wearing wool or synthetic fabrics, such as polyester or polypropylene. These materials will keep you warm and wick away moisture more effectively than cotton.
- Protecting your extremities with warm socks, gloves, and a cap.
- Dressing lightly enough that you will not become overheated and start to sweat in your sleeping bag.
- Bring a sleeping bag and sleeping pad for warmth and comfort. No matter what kind of camping you're doing, you'll be most comfortable if you have a soft pad to sleep on and a sleeping bag to keep you warm. Make sure to bring these essentials with you even if you plan to sleep directly under the stars.[12]
- Having a sleeping bag or pad underneath you will not only provide extra padding, but can also help protect you from cold and moisture on the ground.
- If you set up camp under a tree (e.g., if you are hammock camping), inspect the tree carefully to make sure there are no large, dead branches directly overhead. In general, it is safer not to set up camp under large trees.[13]
- Many camp sites have strict regulations concerning where and when you can build a fire. Make sure to follow any safety rules carefully to protect yourself, your fellow campers, and the campground.
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| How to Organize Your Closet Posted: 26 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT Having an organized closet is the gateway to having an organized room and an organized life. To organize your closet, you'll have to sort through all of your clothes to determine what you really need and find the best way to reorganize your clothes and other belongings. If you want to know how to organize your closet, just follow these steps. EditSorting Through Your Clothes - Remove all of the clothes from your closet. Take all of your clothes off their hangers and out of any bins or drawers in your closet. Fold them in piles on the floor or on your bed. This includes your shoes as well. It may also include other accessories such as belts, scarves, purses, or ties. [1]
- Decide which clothes you will keep. You may have the urge to keep everything, or toss everything. But go through systematically and piece by piece to really scrutinize your clothing. What you want in your closet are clothes that you wear on a regular basis, that fit you and are functional, and fit in the space available.
 - Does the item fit? Clothing in the closet should fit you properly, neither too loose nor too tight. It typically means it is comfortable, not pinching, clothing can button easily, and no red marks left on the skin. It may also mean letting go of items no longer in fashion, such as skin tight skirts you really should not wear to your professional job.
- It is usually best to let go of "inspirational items" such as the jeans you hope to someday fit back into; trends being what they are the item may well be out of fashion when you do lose the weight. One pair of "fat pants" may be OK to remind you of your weight loss accomplishment.
- If your weight is fluctuating up or down (such as in growing young adults, pregnant women, or dieters) this may be tricky. Still, get rid or store items that clearly do not fit you.
- Do I wear this? Have you worn the item in the last year? How often do you wear it: once a week or only once this year? If you have not worn the item in a long time, that may well indicate it is time to let go.
- Special use items may be OK to keep even if used only periodically. You might have a Christmas sweater, or interview outfit, or formal dress that isn't used often but still worth having available.
- Do I like this? If you really don't like an item, do not keep it. In general, do not hang onto items out of guilt--such as that shirt your father bought you but you just do not like.
- Do I have multiples of this? Work or school uniforms are one thing. But if you have seven black almost identical t-shirts, that might be a sign to let go of a few.
- Make a "Keep" pile for the clothes that you will keep and wear on a regular basis.
- Decide which clothes you will store. You should store the clothes that you won't be wearing for a while because they aren't seasonally appropriate. If it's the middle of summer, you can store your winter sweaters and scarves, and if it's the dead of winter, you can store your tank tops and summer dresses.
- You can also store clothes that may have sentimental value for you, such as a shirt your grandmother knitted for you, or an old t-shirt from your high school tennis team that no longer fits. Try to keep the sentimental value clothes to a minimum, though. Clothes are meant to be worn, after all.
- Consider displaying beloved clothing instead of keeping them in your closet. Consider framing your prized concert T-shirt, or creating a shadow box of your Boy Scout uniform and awards, or make a T-shirt quilt of your old marathon shirts.
- When you're done sorting through the clothes you will store, put them in a plastic bin or a clear bag marked keep. You can either store them in the back of your closet, under your bed, or in a storage unit or a different part of your home if you have the room.
- Decide which clothes you will donate or throw out. This is the hardest step, and the most important. If you want to have a truly organized closet, then your goal should be to get rid of as many items of clothing as possible. This doesn't mean you should throw out your favorite things - however, it does mean that you should take a long hard look to ask yourself which clothes you will actually ever wear again.[2]
- If you haven't worn something in over a year and it has no sentimental value, it's time to donate it.
- If you have an item that is so worn, covered in moth holes, or faded that you and anyone else will never wear it again, then it's time to throw it out.
- If you have a few items of clothing that are just way too small, stop waiting for the day that they will fit and donate them.
- Donate all of the clothes you don't need that are in good condition, or give them to a sibling or friend.
- Clean the inside of the closet. You should do this before you put back your clothes. Vacuum or sweep the floor, wipe the walls down with all-purpose cleaner, and sweep away any cobwebs that may have accumulated there.
- If you want to make any changes, such as painting the inside a different color or adding and removing some shelves, do it now.
EditOrganizing Your Clothes in Your Closet - Hang up your clothes and organize them. Try to hang up as many of your clothes as you can. This will make it easier for you to find your clothes and to conserve space. You should not only hang up your clothes, but you should also organize them in a particular way so you can easily find them whenever you need to. Here are some ways to organize the clothes you hang up:[3]
 - Organize your clothes by season. If you've stored away some of your seasonal clothes, organize your clothes by season just for half the year. If it's summer, hang up your summer clothes first, followed by your fall clothes.
- Organize your clothes by type. You can separate your tank tops, shirts, pants, skirts, and dresses.[4]
- Organize your work and casual clothes. Separate your work clothes from your casual clothes so you can easily get dressed for work in the morning.
- Organize your clothes by how often you wear them. You can choose any method of organization, but hang up a few key items, like your favorite hoodie or the pair of jeans you wear all the time, in the most accessible place.
- If you really want to step it up a notch, you can use differently colored hangers to mark a different type of clothing. For example, you can hang your tops on pink hangers, or your work clothes on green hangers.
- Colour code your clothes. example in rainbow colours
- You can also think about installing another pole to hang up your additional clothes.
- Put additional clothes in other parts of your closet. Once you've hung up all of the clothes fit on your pole, you should find other parts of the closet to store the rest of your clothes. The clothes that you put in the bins should be used less frequently than the clothes you hang up, or they should be clothes that don't need to be hung up, like your workout clothes. Here are a few ideas:
- Don't waste the space under your hanging clothes. Put a few plastic bins of clothes under the hanging clothing.
- If you have room for a dresser, consider putting one in your closet. It will save you time and space.
- Consider installing a closet organizer to find a more efficient way to store your remaining clothes.
- If you have overhead space, make the most of it. Use it to store bulky sweaters, sweats, and other items that are thick and easy to spot.
- Organize your shoes. Your shoes may take up a lot of the space in your closet, so once you've chosen which shoes you will keep, it's important to make the most of your space by storing them in the most organized and efficient manner. Here are some ways to organize the shoes in your closet:
- Organize them by type. Separate your dress shoes, sandals, and boots.
- Organize them by how often you wear them. Keep your favorite pair of boots, flip-flops, or sneakers in the place with the easiest access.
- Invest in a shoe rack to place on the floor of your closet. This will make it much easier to find the pair of shoes you want.
- Try storing your shoes in your overhead space. This is another easy way to save space.
- If your closet has a door that opens instead of a sliding door, consider getting a hanging shoe rack.
- If you have a front hall closet, consider putting the shoes you wear the most often there instead to save space in your personal closet.
EditOrganizing the Rest of Your Closet - Organize any boxes in your closet. If your closet is big enough, then it's likely that you've stored things other than clothes in it, such as big boxes filled with mementos, old photo albums, and CDs you haven't seen for ten years. To finish organizing your closet, you should go through these old boxes to see what you should keep and what you should toss. Here's how to do it:
- Get rid of any papers or items you've kept for over a year that have no sentimental value.
- Consolidate the boxes to save closet space. If your closet is already cramped, consider putting some of the items in a different place, such as putting your old high school yearbooks on the bottom of your bookshelf.
- If you've been using cardboard boxes, trade them up for plastic bins. They will last longer and will be more visually appealing.
- Label the boxes or bins so you know what's in them next time you move or organize your things again.
- Organize any additional items in your closet. Take the time to go through any additional items in your closet to make sure that you still need them and that the closet is really the best place for them. Here are some examples:
- If you find any towels, sheets, or blankets, put them in your linen closet.
- If you've had an old lawn chair or another piece of furniture you don't really need hanging out back there, it's time to throw it out.
- If you've had to pick up an item and spend at least fifteen seconds trying to figure out what the heck it is or why you would need it, it's time to throw it out.
- Make sure that all of the other items you find belong in the closet and not another part of your home. For example, if you find a box of light bulbs, a box of comic books, or a box of chocolate, ask yourself if those items wouldn't be more logically organized elsewhere.
- Make your closet more visually appealing. Turn your creativity loose and think of ways to add pleasure to the routine of getting dressed and looking through your closet every day. If you spend more time making your closet look nice, then you will be less likely to let it get messy in the future.
- Paint your closet a soft pretty color.
- Add mirrors for sparkle.
- Hang jewelry and scarves where you can see them -- as long as they don't get in your way.
- Hang up a small poster or painting that makes you smile every time you open your closet.
- Enjoy your newly organized closet. Take a step back and admire your hard work! Hopefully, your closet is organized now so that all of its contents are easy to find and its overall appearance is to your liking. If not, take a few more minutes to make any minor changes that still need to be made.
- From this point forward, try to keep your closet organized as you add to it, or remove and return its current contents. Doing so will prevent you from needing to do another large overhaul on your closet in the future.
- Metal wire hangers are not considered the best choice. Plastic, wood, or fabric-covered are less likely to cause discoloration or other issues.
- Hang your clothes with the opening of the hanging part of the hanger toward you. When you wear an item, put it back in normally, so 4 -6 months later, you can go through your closet and target hangers still backwards and decide whether you want to keep the clothes or donate them.
- Having the same color hangers make the closet look more organized
- You can also organize your clothes by color or design.
- You can organize tops by sleeve length.
- Every season, go through the clothes you have and decide whether they would fit the next time that season comes around. If not, you could donate or toss it, while saving you time for the following year.
- Put all panties in a container. Put all bras in a separate container.
- Over-the-door shoe racks are a great way of saving space compared to on-ground shoe racks.
- Keep yourself entertained by playing music or making it like a game can make organizing your wardrobe more fun.
- Sort clothes by color to make it look more creative.
- You can consider installing an additional pole in your closet if you have room for it.
- Plastic milk crate containers make excellent impromptu organizational tools. They're stackable, perfect for bulky items like sweaters or sweatshirts, shoes, and more.
- If you have some space in your closet. You can put a dresser with lots of clothes on it.
- If you hook on of the can soda pop top onto the hanger, you can hang another item, creating a bit more rod space.[5]
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| How to Improve Leadership Quality Posted: 26 May 2019 01:00 AM PDT Leadership encompasses a variety of qualities and skills. A good leader is someone who is able to manage people and tasks, communicate effectively, and foster a positive team environment. Try to develop your leadership qualities by analysing your strengths and weaknesses, and setting a good example to your colleagues. EditAnalysing Your Leadership Qualities - Ask yourself what kind of leader you are. If you want to develop your leadership skills, it's important that you honestly analyse your strengths and weaknesses. Doing this will enable you to identify the areas you need to improve, and make you more aware of how you act and behave. Start by asking yourself "what kind of leader am I?"
- Perhaps you are someone who leads by example, and doesn't get too involved in other people's work.
- Or maybe you are a leader who helps to solve problems, and takes a more active and interventionist role.
- Being a good team player and helping other people get along and work together more effectively is another way of being a leader.[1]
- You can even use online leadership quizzes to evaluate your leadership skills.[2]
- Consider how others might see you. Once you have begun to get a clearer picture of how you act as a leader, it will be helpful to consider how other people think of you as a leader. This could be your colleagues at work, or friends at school or college. You can do this by paying closer attention to team interactions, such as how often colleagues approach you for advice, and how comfortable they are doing so.[3]
- You can also ask a trusted friend or colleague for her perception of your leadership qualities.
- You can ask a more senior colleague, who is familiar with you and your work, for some feedback and guidance on management and leadership.
- Analyse your leadership qualities. After asking the initial questions about how you lead and how others perceive you, you can try to analyse you leadership qualities in greater detail. You will then decide which factors to work on. Write down the following questions and try to answer them as honestly and fully as you can:
- Do I make an effort to be aware of the thoughts and feelings of colleagues?
- Do I help others perform to their best and reach their potential?
- Do I accept responsibility?
- Do I keep an open mind and try new ideas and new ways of doing things?
- Can I communicate effectively with others?
- Am I a good problem solver?
- Do I encourage and accept other opinions and perspectives?[4]
- Identify areas to improve. These questions will help highlight which leadership qualities you are strong in, and which you need to improve. Using your answers to the questions, divide your leadership qualities into three parts. Firstly, note those qualities you feel you are very strong on. Secondly, identify which areas need some improvement. Thirdly, determine which areas you are weak on, and need considerable attention.
- For example, if you are aware of the thoughts and feelings of colleagues, and you accept other people's opinions, your openness and engagement with colleague is likely to be strong.
- If you don't help others perform to their best, and you don't communicate as effectively as you would like, these skills will need some work.
- These leadership qualities can be broken down into the more general areas of communication, inspiring and setting an example for others, openness, and teamwork and cooperation.[5]
EditImproving Your Communication Skills - Enable effective dialogue. Communication is perhaps the most important leadership quality, and one that runs through all of the other important qualities. One of the keys to good communication is enabling positive and sometimes robust dialogue on problems and solutions. There are different styles of leadership, but someone who consistently shuts down debates and stifles discussions is unlikely to command the support of others for too long.
- Ask and encourage open questions, rather than constrictive ones.
- Highlight areas of agreement first, and deal with the disagreements second.
- Don't be overbearing, and facilitate an open environment where people are free to talk without fear.[6]
- Have positive body language. Positive body language can help you come across as dynamic, open and cooperative. It can also help you to make a strong impression when you are talking, and increase the power and effectiveness of your words. One good rule is to have body language that is consistent with what you are saying. Don't, for example, ask someone to do something while looking down at the floor. Instead make eye contact and be open and engaging.
- To have positive and affirmative body language while talking, try to maintain eye contact, stand tall and straight, and relax your face.[7]
- Your body language may be interpreted as how you are really feeling, so try to have body language that reflects the qualities and approach of a good leader.[8]
- Be an active listener. To be a good communicator, you need to be a good listener. If you make the effort to listen to somebody, she will see that and come to think of you as someone she can talk to. This is an important leadership quality to develop. Body language is important, so try to maintain eye contact with the person you are talking to.[9] To be an active listener:
- Don't judge people.
- Pay complete attention to the person you are talking to.
- Try to understand others, before you try make yourself understood.
- Don't interrupt unnecessarily.[10]
EditLeading By Example - Use initiative. One aspect of good leadership is being quick and decisive to act to solve a problem. If you see something needs to be done and are confident that you know the best way to do it, use your initiative. A strong leader can be someone who is prepared to take the lead in situations without necessarily being asked to.
- Using your initiative demonstrates a positive and "can do" attitude.[11]
- Make sure you are confident in your actions, however. Act calmly and assuredly, and don't ty to rush to a solution when the problem requires consultation.
- Another aspect of good leadership is knowing when to take advice, and understanding when a problem needs a deeper understanding before it can be addressed.
- Take responsibility. To set a strong example as a leader it's essential that you take responsibility for your individual tasks and priorities as well as your team as a whole. Having clear priorities and clearly assigned roles will make it easier for people to identify and own their responsibilities.[12]
- Support your team members to complete their tasks and try to forge a cooperative rather than a competitive environment and culture.[13]
- Taking responsibility can also involve removing responsibilities from those who have demonstrated that they are unable to manage the tasks assigned.
- Keep improving your skills. One way to demonstrate good leadership skills is to always be alert to new possibilities to learn and develop your capabilities.[14] Showing a continuous desire to improve yourself and your work can be a motivating factor for those around you. It demonstrates your commitment to excellence and your lack of complacency.
- Organise and write down a clear set of standards for yourself personally, and then try to always stick to them.
- Try to monitor your work, and identify the areas which you can improve on.
- You can use these personal standards to draw up a personal development plan.
- Provide a vision. A good leader is someone who can provide a clear and compelling vision for the short term and longer term future. The ability to plan ahead, think strategically, and develop priorities are all hallmarks of strong leaders. In order to do this, you will need to develop a broader perspective so that you can see beyond the immediate deadlines.
- Seeing the bigger picture can help you envisage problems before they arrive.
- This kind of approach can also lead to innovation and structural changes that have long term benefits.[15]
EditFacilitating Good Teamwork - Motivate others. For teamwork you need motivated colleagues. One of the best ways for a leader to motivate her colleagues is pay attention to them and make it clear that you are there to provide support and help when required. Try to keep people focussed on the goals that are the highest priorities in order to provide a clear route forward.[16]
- You shouldn't be the last person to find out if someone has concerns or is struggling.
- Be active and communicative to identify problems and deal with them.
- This may involve tweaking your team or the distribution of work.
- For example, if someone is losing interest as the work is not challenging her, think of ways you can get her to engage with her tasks.
- You could explain how this work, although a bit boring, is essential to the overall project.
- Say something like "I know this is a bit monotonous, but without this the whole thing falls apart. I assigned it to you because you have great attention to detail."
- Commend good work. An important part of motivating others is commending good work. Look for opportunities to praise people for a job well done, and demonstrate that you appreciate what they are doing. Taking an active interest in the work of your colleagues is a key feature of a good leader who is able to motivate her team.
- With more junior members of staff, always be on the lookout for career development opportunities.
- A positive and cooperative working culture where people's hard work is respected and appreciated will result in a more motivated group.
- Cooperate instead of competing. If you are trying to be a strong leader, it can be tempting to try to prompt better work by creating a competitive environment amongst your colleagues. In fact, developing a more cooperative work culture often leads to more effective working and better relationships.
- Any battles that arise in a competitive culture cost valuable time and resources to deal with.
- You are better off creating common goals that you can achieve together.[17]
- Creating a cooperative environment will encourage collaboration and help avoid silo working.
- Be visible and approachable. If you are leading a team on a project, it's important that you are available to your colleagues. Remember that a good leader is someone who not only gets the task done, but is also concerned with helping her colleagues develop and achieve their potential. Be open to mentoring more junior colleagues, and be sure to make time for one-to-one training when required.
- You can make yourself visible and available in a number of ways. For example, you might schedule in a short period each day where you are free to listen to any concerns.
- You could do this formally, or just set aside half an hour in which you can go around the team and check how everybody is getting on.
- If someone asks you something and you don't have time to deal with it right away, don't dismiss it outright. Schedule a time later when you are free to talk.
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