Clutter, clutter everywhere! It's a common problem and people are frozen in what to do with all the
paperwork that keeps piling up. Let's start this process by determining which rooms are the most unorganized and need the most de-cluttering from paperwork. Typically the home office or kitchen will be the common areas collecting an over abundance of paper.
NOTE: Never try to get things completely organized all in one day! It will overwhelm you and keep you from moving forward on future organizing projects...small "steps" will encourage you to keep going!
Now, let's discuss what to do with all that mail that has been piling up!
Step #1: Set up a comfortable work area with the following items within reach:
1) Paper Recycle Box for paper items that do not identify you but can be recycled
2) Shredder (or Shredder Box for large amounts of ID sensitive paperwork to shred later ).
3) Sorting Trays for paperwork to be sorted by category (e.g., medical bills, vehicle maintenance bills, etc.)
Step #2: Now begin systematically sorting through the mail that has accumulated. Be sure to have a letter opener, paperclips, stapler, pens/markers, post-it notes, etc. next to you so you are not getting up and down to make notations or clip things together...remember efficiency and convenience are key here!
Step #3: Once you have purged all the junk mail and carefully protected yourself from identity theft by shredding ID sensitive paperwork items, etc. you are now ready to tackle the remaining paperwork that needs to be filed in your filing cabinet. Again, this is the paperwork you have sorted by category in your sorting trays as mentioned above.
Step 4: Have a stack of blank file folders nearby to create any new files needed and file paperwork into them.
NOTE: Paperwork that needs to be saved from previous years should be filed in a separate location within a storage container (clearly marked and stored for easy accessibility and protected from potential water damage).
Step 5: Time to file!** Get that paperwork out of your view and where it belongs...in a well labeled folder within your filing cabinet. Remember...this is only for items pertinent to the current year.!
All bills that need to be paid will be left out in a location that "stares" at you until the bill is paid
(or you may set up auto bill pay, so you don't have to worry about a missed payment).
**If you have run out of time...never fear! Your paper is sorted in your sorting trays and can be filed when
you have your next available moment...don't let this be days down the road...try to finish and file as quickly
as possible so your system stays on track.
In a future blog, we will discuss a "bill station" and how to handle other paperwork items that need to be addressed before filing.
BE ENCOURAGED! The mountain of paper will decrease, but you must create the system and then maintain it! We will continue to show you how!
