Kick your Paper Clutter!

With fall in full swing, this is a great time to get your papers in order!

Simplify!
The simpler your systems are, the more likely it is that you will follow through and use them. Don’t make things more complicated than they have to be!

Give Everything a Home
Think about all the categories of papers that you will have and decide where those papers are going to go.
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Have ONE Inbox for Papers
Go for simple – have one single place in your home for incoming papers.  All papers will go here… paper mail from the mailbox, handouts from meetings, bills to pay, etc.  Do not place any papers on your desk, counter, etc.  All papers always go into the inbox. 

Go through your Inbox regularly:
Pick up one paper at a time and do one of the following:

Step 1: Don’t need it? Recycle it. Shred it. Toss it.

Step 2: Is it quick? Do it now.

Step 3: Triage your papers
(Put them in the correct file using a simple vertical file box)

• To Do
• To Scan
• To Call
• To Keep Temporarily: (ex: invitation to a wedding, tickets to the ballet, gift card, this month’s exercise calendar from the gym, etc.)

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Add other folders as needed, but keep it as simple as possible.

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To Do Items:
Set aside time to complete the To Do items, To Call list, and other ongoing projects.  Put it on your calendar.  Don’t allow yourself to forget to complete these tasks!

For some, it works well to pair paperwork with another task, such as laundry. 
 

Are you ready to tackle your papers?  Set aside a few minutes and get started today!  ​​
~Laura