Internet
By BZ Riger-Hull, Certified Success Coach
It was once said that computers were going to make a paper less society, I think that most people would argue that they have given us more paper in our offices.
So it's important to keep that paper from mounting up and keep the lure of all that information from making us think we can read all of the paper that crosses our desk. We just can't, we need to be selective and stay focused or the tops of our desks will never be seen again, not to mention we will be totally over whelmed by our stack of things to read, and never get the important things accomplished on time.
Here are some simple yet effective ways to clear the paper clutter from your life once and for all.
Attend to mail and the day's fresh stack of paper as soon as it comes in. By putting it off you will always have more pressing things to do and the paper stacks will continue to rise making it impossible to find the important papers among the clutter.
As each piece of paper comes across your desk immediately sort it by importance. Three piles should usually be enough, make one for urgent things, important but not urgent, and not important. Obviously work on the urgent things first, but it might be a very good idea to give the not important things a ride right into the wastebasket or shredder without letting them accumulate in a pile.
Make sure to go through your unused files once a month and discard anything that doesn't need to be kept. Make sure you don't keep memos, articles, and letters that you don't need in the first place.
As you sort the daily mail make notes about how it needs to be handled. If you can take care of something right away do it, it will take much less time than sorting through it all again later. That will mean handling each thing only once.
Store as many files as you can electronically and make sure you do a complete file backup at least twice a week at the very least depending on how fast you accumulate new files. Make sure to keep one copy of the backup off-site from where your computer is in case of fire or other damage. Make sure to review your files periodically and discard the ones you don't need keeping premium hard drive space free.
Get in the habit of keeping it clean. Make sure that your desk in-box and your desk are clear each day before you finish work. If you keep to this routine in a few weeks time you will have gotten in the habit of taking care of things as soon as they come in. The reduced piles of paper and information on your desk will improve your attitude; making you more efficient, able to accomplish more and enjoy each day.
~~~ Resource Box ©BZ Riger-Hull. Author of The Soul of Success http://www.in-spiros.com subscribe to free newsletter. Certified Success Coach, 4 Agreements Facilitator & Tele-Course leader, we help you Communicate Powerfully, Strategically Attract Success, & increase your Financial Well-Being. Our coaching programs and Tele-Courses give you the Tools you need to succeed. Request Complimentary coaching session & Success Tip Sheet for Entrepreneurs or Business Professionals mailto:Tips@in-spiros.com
