Organize Your Home Office: Managing All of the Paper
source: mrmanc
There is no doubt that the number one source of clutter for most home offices comes from paper. Papers that need action. Papers that need to be filed. Papers that need to be sent. Papers that need to be shredded.
Although we’ll save file systems for another week – because I have more to share than I could possibly include in this one little post – today we’re going to talk about have a workflow system for your paper so that each piece of paper has a place as soon as it comes into your office. While there may be a few people who like having their desks covered in scattered papers, I think it’s safe to say that those papers are the number one source of frustration for most people.
So what’s the solution?
Organize Those Piles
Having piles of paper to deal with is almost inevitable unless you have the time to take action on every piece of paper as soon as it comes across your desk. However, sorting that paper into easy-to-tackle piles not only declutters your space but also makes taking action easier and allows you to do it on your schedule.
Stacking Mesh Paper Trays
I use paper trays for my piles, but you could also use a wall organizer to save space or colored file folders if you want to keep the piles out of site.
The key is determining which categories you need to simplify your system. We organize our papers into three main piles:
1. Records to be filed
2. Bills to be paid
3. Papers that need action
When I open my mail, I immediately sort the papers into these three trays so that when I’m ready to pay bills or sit down and take care of administrative tasks, everything is ready.
Your piles may not be the same as mine. You might need a “To be shredded” pile or you might separate the action pile into separate piles for you and your spouse. The names of the categories are not the keys to this system; having a system in place is.
Do you currently have a system in place for sorting paperwork? Is it working for you?
Ugh.It’s tough for me to stick with a system because my hubby is not quite as neat as I am. I really like to organize but getting on the same page with the paper piles is a tough one because we share a desk. I like the mesh trays though. Maybe I’ll give those a try
Nicki at Domestic Cents’s last blog post…A Little More About Me
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Hmmm….my system consists of piles…everywhere. And no, it doesn’t work…lol.
I like those mesh stacking trays! I’ll have to start that. Thanks for the idea!
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Hmmm….my system consists of piles…everywhere. And no, it doesn’t work…lol.
I like those mesh stacking trays! I’ll have to start that. Thanks for the idea!
Britt’s last blog post…A Little More About Me…and Nicki too!
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I’m with Nicki. I have a system but my hubs totally doesn’t. I sort through the mail as soon as we bring it in to throw out junk and open envelopes etc. I have a file cabinet nicely sorted next to the desk. He has a pile at the desk and a pile on the kitchen counter (which is slowly taking over!!). The kitchen pile drives me the most nuts. I was just thinking of how I could somehow make a place for his stuff that is easy for him to deal with so he’ll use it. No ideas yet!
Lori’s last blog post…Get $5 from Lysol
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Sorting through the mail is key when you come home each evening. I would add one more stack, paper that needs action, but not immediately. This is what I like a ticker file for. Say, for example, you get tickets to an event, put them in the tickler file for that day and you can magically find them. Since there are lots of papers like that in my house I like using the tickler file system.
I also have a system that works for our hose to organize school papers. You can read about it in the link of my name if you’re interested.
Taylor at Household Management 101’s last blog post…Feb 24, Recommended Organization Sites
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Excellent post Mandi. I have found that the paper sorters are excellent tools for many of my clients. You have to be really careful though. For some, the sorters just become another horizontal space to pile stuff. Here are some tips as you go through more of your paper — I have found that paper overwhelm is the #1 reason people contact us. They are questions you can ask yourself to make the decision process process easier:
Does it require any action by me/us?
Are there tax or legal implications?
Is it recent enough to be useful?
Is it difficult to obtain again?
Is it beautiful, useful or loved?
Can I identify specific use?
Does it reflect the person I was or the person I am now?
What is the worst possible thing that could happen if I get rid of this?
If you are interested in knowing more about how to use these questions I have more on my blog (not enough room here to type it all) http://www.productiveandorganized.net/2009/06/dart-paper-management-system.html
To your success!
Stephanie
Stephanie LH Calahan (@StephCalahan)´s last blog ..Get Rid of Clutter Fast and Easy With These Simple Tips
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