tickler file

...now browsing by tag

 
accountable benefits book review charitable donations closets clothes clutter declutter disorganization donate downsize efficiency efficiency. organizing encourage family home focus get organized get started goals howto inspiration L.I.F.E. learning styles linens motivation organizing Paper Management personality photos planning priorities procrastinate productivity quotes recycle reference files reuse simplify small spaces sorting storage strategy stress stuff time
 

7 Tools for Paper Management

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

This is a short post, a list really, meant to spur your thinking, “Do I have these basic tools?” and “Could having these in place save me time, money and frustration?”  Here goes!  The 7 tools that are must haves for effective paper management are:

  1. Extra Large Waste Basket (round file), emptied frequently to keep the mindset of “must fill it up” working for you.
  2. Cross-cut Shredder where you open your mail.
  3. Calendar, paper or electronic, to capture appointments, master and daily to-do lists
  4. Tickler File for date specific action reminders and ongoing permanent actions like “to call, to write, to pay”, etc.
  5. Action File system for current projects that have a beginning and an end.
  6. Contact Storage System to easily find personal and business contacts.
  7. Reference File system for long term storage of completed action files and legal/tax forms.

A last suggestion to keep paper piles to a minimum – take steps to reduce the influx of paper, especially via mail.  Two websites to start:

www.catalogchoice.com – end unwanted mail order catalogs

www.optoutscreen.com – stop unwanted credit offers

Less of anything is easier to organize.  Go forth and reduce!

Posted in SOHO Small Office/Home Office, Tips and Tricks | Comments Off
Tags: , , ,

3 Tricks to Tame Paper Piles

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Your desktop and kitchen table/counter are the hardest places to keep clear.  To-do reminders, event announcements, bills to pay, letters that need follow-up, kid’s sport schedules – none can be pitched.  So how do you keep the important papers handy and still have access to surfaces you need everyday?  I have found three tricks that enable me to keep the piles organized.

  1. Name the action that each piece of paper reminds you to take.  (If no action is required, go to #3)  Write the action boldly at the top or on a sticky note to attach.

    2. NOTE to self:  If the action required will take you less than 2 minutes, do it now!  This will save you time, grief, and that paper is gone!

    On the same sticky note, write down when and how you can best perform that action.  This way you don’t have to rethink
    later, saves brain cells.  For example:

    • Does that paper remind you of an errand to take care of?  Is there any hurry?  What day of the week are you most free to run errands?
    • If you need to call someone, is there a deadline? When is the best time to reach him/her? Is there another action you must take before you can call – name that action as #1.
    • Do you need to pay a bill?  What is the due date?  Do you need to transfer monies?
    • Is this a coupon that you want to take advantage of?  What is the expiration date?  Which location will you be near in the next week or so?

    Click to continue »

Posted in Home Life, SOHO Small Office/Home Office, Tips and Tricks | Comments Off
Tags: , ,