lobiontheweb.blogg.se - Declutter paperwork

#DECLUTTER PAPERWORK PRO#

Or something else with an emotional 'charge'. It might be a birthday card from a loved one. It's that moment when you're sorting through your papers efficiently and all of a sudden something catches your attention and you stop. This is where the real discipline comes in: don't get distracted! Step 3: Don't go down the "rabbit hole"!Īs you dive into your paperwork clutter the biggest risk you face is "going down the rabbit hole". Wait until you're done to see if you actually need that new filing cabinet or hanging files. Remember the idea is to reduce the amount of stuff you have! Don't get seduced to buy new stuff thinking it will help you get organised.

#DECLUTTER PAPERWORK PRO#

PRO TIP: At this point DO NOT go out and buy storage containers or filing supplies. You're going to create 3 stacks, or piles of "stuff", documents, and/or things that.Ĭreate these piles in old cardboard boxes or stacks by a wall labelled with a Post It note label on the side, "Keeping, Unsure, Get Rid" etc. You may have heard of this one before, that's because it definitely works.

If you have employees or work with others, let them know that this is your "do not disturb" time.

Turn off or silence your phone and check out of your email.

And honour this time as if you would for a doctor's appointment or meeting. Whatever works for you, pick a time when you're not going to be bothered by phone calls or emails. Like a Friday afternoon from 1pm to 5pm when you're winding down anyway. I suggest pick a half-day block towards the end of the week. Make an appointment with yourself for your decluttering session. If you're disciplined and stick to the steps I've set out below, I guarantee it will work for you. I've found this to be a foolproof guide to reduce your documents and related clutter in just a few hours-rather than days. I developed a plan to make paperwork decluttering less overwhelming and faster and more efficient.

There's something very calming about a clean work space, and I've noticed that when I'm in a clutter-free, 'Zen' zone I am also more productive. Not a terribly functional approach I know.īUT I also love how it feels to actually clear these stacks away, these concentrations of 'paperwork plaque', so that I can start the year with a clean slate. So, my paper stack usually grows vertically over the months until I try and hide it in a drawer or in a box somewhere and I don't have to feel guilty looking at it. It takes time and I feel like I'm not getting paid for that time. I don't know about you but as a small business owner, I tend to make revenue-generating work my priority, so I'm a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to decluttering. The list goes on! It can feel overwhelming. Stacks of loose paper including stray receipts, old tax documents, confidential notes, conference materials, print outs, and even outdated technology hardware that needs to be securely recycled, etc. But often, the first thing I notice is the abundance of clutter left over from last year. Getting back to work after the holidays is usually a nice change of pace, I've had enough beach time and I'm feeling ready for the new year. Feeling overwhelmed by your paperwork clutter? Here's a quick guide to make document decluttering quick and easy.