From a client who just emailed me about her homework progress:
"Guess what I did tonight? I went through my filing cabinet and ended up with one full box of papers to recycle, as well as two garbage bags of shredded docs to recycle. Wow, does it feel great! Up next is going through a few piles that need to be filed--I'm guessing that most of those papers will be tossed as well."
"Guess what I did tonight? I went through my filing cabinet and ended up with one full box of papers to recycle, as well as two garbage bags of shredded docs to recycle. Wow, does it feel great! Up next is going through a few piles that need to be filed--I'm guessing that most of those papers will be tossed as well."
The Small Business Association says that 80% of the papers we've been piling, stuffing, filing aren't even needed! Start purging!
1) Overwhelmed? Start a timer for 30 Minutes and go through one piece at a time, make a decision if it's file, to do, recycle/shred, memorabilia. Only those 4 piles should be created--no more. The first focus is to PURGE. Not try to sort and file.
2) If it isn't a tax write off, dispute or memorabilia--you don't need to file it.
3) You only save taxes for 7 years. So 2008--2015.
4) Purge the top of your desk first, then every single file in your cabinet (look at every single piece of paper). After you finish the top of your desk and existing files, start on the boxes of papers, if you have them--check garage/storage/closets.
5) Go through your office supplies--stationary, cards, dead pens, chewed up pencils, your three staplers. What can you toss/donate?
7) Now put everything away! Create a better, simpler filing system. File Everything--no more boxes or piles or "clutter catchers" on your desk. Store office supplies within arm's reach of your desk chair. Rearrange furniture and decor to complete the look.
On average, office organizing takes 3-4 days to de-clutter and organize. I highly recommend that clients do 2 days back-to-back of paper purging. Then the next week file it all. Then 3rd week go through supplies/move furniture/rearrange decor. You'll be at the finish line!
Too overwhelmed to Do It Yourself? Call me at 415-786-8266.
