Energize and Organize: Quick Tip to Managing Your Paperwork

Source: Wayfair

This tip will help you stop procrastinating and get clutter reduced in your home.  Inspire and motivate yourself with the “Quick Start” project. It should take no longer than 30 minutes. Next, try the “Keep Going” tip to really put clutter and chaos in its place!

Quick Start: With the exception of bills to be paid and truly important documents, grab all the paperwork you can find into one big pile. Plop it in a big box, seal it, and write today’s date on it. If you haven’t missed any of it two months from now, recycle the entire box without opening it.

Keep Going: Set up a new, easy filing system starting with paperwork you receive from today forward. Think of broad categories of papers you receive on a frequent basis: bills to pay, people to call, medical, school, etc. Get a desktop filing box, keep it in the kitchen, and file only what you’ll truly need to reference later. Be ruthless in your paper disposal. (Shred sensitive documents.) Review filebox contents weekly. Touch paperwork only once: Open mail, and immediately act on it and recycle the paper, or file it in the appropriate spot.
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With a quick Internet search or stop in your local Target or Container Store, you will discover that there are many different styles and types of desktop organizers.  You might find that you already have one in your home or office, too.   Even a simple shoe box will work!  Set it up, put it to good use and enjoy your new paperwork organization and management system!

Remember, it takes 21 days for a new habit to "stick" and backsliding (when progress towards a goal has been reversed) is common, sometimes unavoidable and definitely recoverable.  With a little hard work, you will soon notice a big difference and huge improvement in the organization and management of your paper!  Best wishes!

​Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts        Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com

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