How to Organize Paperwork
An Efficient Paperwork Organization System
These suggestions for how to organize paperwork will help you set up and keep an efficient paper organization system.
Organizing paperwork
starts with setting up paper organization systems that keeps you in control on a day to day basis.
Most of the paper information that comes into your home comes via the mail or your own personal computer. If you approach the task of sorting
and organizing the mail everyday in the same systematic way, you will be successful in organizing your paperwork. Consistency is the key!
You will need:
- an established filing system - See Common Ways to Organize Paperwork if you want some help to select categories for setting up a filing system
- desktop file organizer - your papers will need a place to live until they get the attention they need. You could also try an
over the door shoe organizer, or even the fruit bowl. See this suggestion for a unique mail organizer from a site visitor.
- about 5 minutes - it should not take longer than this. If it takes longer then you need to reduce the amount of paper coming into your house - See Stop junk mail for ways to reduce the amount of paper coming into your home.
- discipline - you must do this the same way everyday (well 80% of the time at least)
How to Organize Your Paperwork in Three Easy Steps
- Pick up the mail at the same time everyday.
- Touch each item only once, open each piece of mail and make a decision:
does it get tossed, does it require action or is it information that must be retained?
- Complete the final action for each piece of paper according to the decision made in step 2.
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TOSS
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ACT
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RETAIN
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Shred if necessary and put in the recycle bin.
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Place in your action file on the deadline date for the action required.
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File in the correct category of your home file organizer system.
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That's it you're done. Now take your coat off, kiss the kids, hug your spouse and get on with enjoying your day at home.
Stumble It!