Papers, papers, and piles of papers everywhere - help! Does this sound familiar? If so, you are not alone. The typical US executive spends 6 weeks a year simply trying to find missing papers. Piles of paper are typically a result of one of three issues; procrastination, avoidance or indecision. The easiest way to get rid of your piles and take charge of your papers is to delegate a space for each type of aggressive paper that enters your office/desk area and take action as they enter.
Businesses typically handle these categories of paper every week.
1. Business Cards
2. Reference Materials
3. Client Information
4. Mail
5. Work in Progress
Use these simple solutions:
1. Schedule a regular time every week to enter Business Card and new contact information into your computer database. If you don't use a computer, file these cards weekly either by category or alphabetically into a rolodex or a card binder. If you use a computer and can't seem to enter the data quick enough, consider purchasing a business card scanner. These little $100 scanners are huge time savers with built in programs to enter the data into your email or Excel program for easy retrieval.
2. Skim through the publications that you wish to read as they arrive and either tear out the important articles or earmark them with sticky notes. Remove these papers from your desk area and place into some type of a "to go" basket. Once mobile, you can read during lunch, at home, or whenever you have a free moment. Make sure to toss the information immediately after reading unless it needs to be archived for future reference. If this is the case, file it as it re-enters your office area. Do not let it land back onto your desk!
3. In most professions, every client should have a space within a filing system. Clients will be represented by either active or archival files. If you several active clients at a time, consider creating an easy access desktop vertical file folder area. As clients become inactive, file their folders either alphabetically by last name or if you have different types of clients, by category and then alphabetically.
4. Mail should be sorted, separated and conquered before it enters your office and hits your desk. Consider auto-paying bills online to eliminate monthly mailings. The second question in this column addresses (no pun intended) the mail conundrum that we each experience.
5. If you have several projects underway at a time, create a space for each project. Separate into a file folder, basket or bin depending on how much paperwork is require d to complete each project. Make sure to contain projects individuall y so they won't accidentally merge into one another. This will save time, frustration and increase your productivity. Most importantly, make sure your work area is large enough for your particular profession. It is counterproductive to work in an area that doesn't hold the tools you need within arms reach. For the majority of us, a large desk is mandatory because we have to support a computer, printer, phone, day planner, files and often more. When everything is stowed in your desk area, don't forget to leave space for taking notes with old-fashioned pen and paper!
Kathi Burns, CPO is a Board Certified Professional Organizer and Image Consultant and author of How to Master Your Muck. Kathi has been featured by Good Morning America, CBN, Better Homes and Gardens and is the organizing expert for FOX 5 and NBC 7/39 News in San Diego.
Her website addSpaceToYourLife.com, is known for it's straightforward organizing advice and simple solutions for home and business. addSpace To Your Life is also a powerful resource for wardrobe, image and time management challenges.
Kathi's book, How to Master Your Muck, is filled with illuminating stories and empowering methods designed to teach us that growth requires space. Muck sabotages creative expression. It acts as a roadblock to our success. Muck blocks our ability to be free. Kathi's tips, sidebars, and action steps train us to release what no longer serves us and to create space for inspired living.
Visit addSpaceToYourLife.com to receive your free report: 3 Organizing Tips to Skyrocket Your Productivity!
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