A Solution that Works!
While at a Women's event this weekend I heard the same story over and over again. People are struggling with the overabundance of paper that they receive on a daily basis. There isn't enough time to get to it and it seems as if every flat surface within 10 feet of the door is a dropping point for stacks and piles of paper.
Some of the real comments that I heard were:
My paper clutter is out of control.
I don't know what to do about the abundance of mail that I received on a daily basis. It just seems so overwhelming.
There is just no way that I can keep up with the amounts of paper.
I NEED a system to take care of my paper.
Here are a list of my recommendations to begin taking control of your paper issues:
1. Purchase a shredder (if you don't already have one).
2. Place the shredder in a location where you can use it Every day.
3. Once the mail is in the house, quickly sort through everything into 3 categories...the first category is junk mail.
4. Shred the junk mail Immediately. No excuses, no procrastination, no reason to lay it on the countertop.
5. The remaining mail should be set up into one of just a few categories...
a. To Do - Or Action Items
b. Bills to Pay
c. Catalogs and/or magazines
6. You can set up these files in a portable filing system that can be purchased at any local department store.
7. I recommend that you dedicate at least 10 minutes 1 day a week to go through this portion of your mail and actually "handle" it and then another 10 minutes a week to take action for your "To Do" items.
8. Once your "To Do" items have been handled, they should be transferred to a "Follow-up" Section of your filing system. An example of this is a party invitation that your child has received. You have "acted" on the invitation and responded and now you need to make sure that you have the information available for the day of the party. You can easily find what you need because it is filed with your "Follow-Up" items.
Dedicate just a few minutes a week to this system and you will enjoy the results...I promise!
