subject: The Keys to Organizing Your Papers [print this page] The Keys to Organizing Your Papers The Keys to Organizing Your Papers
We live in a world where it sometimes seems as though technology is constantly changing. Our lives include much less paper and postal mail than ever before, with the dawn of paperless statements and electronic payments for bills and bank statements. However, even with this technological advancement, we still seem to have stacks of paper piling up in our home and home office. There is still a need for paper and filing cabinets in most aspects of our life. Therefore, the need for organization is incredibly important when we need to access important paper documents. Here are a few steps you can take to organize your papers and organize your office.
Sort your Documents
Start the process of organizing your documents by looking though all of the papers you currently have in your office. If you no longer need documents, have them shredded and recycled. If it is important to keep documents, create piles for various subjects. Keep documents together for your home, like the deed to your property or mortgage documents in a safe place like a safe or safety deposit box. These are documents you do not need to access frequently, and therefore can be filed away and accessed at a later date. Once you have finished the sorting process, it is time to develop a specific filing system.
Develop a filing system
Take each of your piles of documents and work to create a filing system that makes sense for you and your lifestyle. Use file folders with tabs or other organizers to keep your items visible and together as you organize your office. File each of your piles according to subject matter, like keeping all the instruction manuals for household appliances in a folder. This will allow you to access these documents in the case of an emergency with great ease. As we know, when you need an important document, it can be incredibly frustrating if you are unable to locate it or fear that it has been lost.
Invest in organizational tools
Once you have established a filing system and created file folders and files according to subject matter, you need a place to store these items. There are plenty of options available on the market for filing systems, including clear plastic cases and furniture options for larger filing needs. Many hardware or retail stores even carry filing cabinets that can double as a side table or night stand, which provides some aesthetic appeal and hides your important documents away from view. Invest in an option that works best for you and your lifestyle, allowing you to easily access your documents. Organize your office in a way that suits your taste and it will be a place you enjoy using on a regular basis.
Establish a Consistent Routine
After working to file your documents and keep them in an easily accessible place, it is important to stay consistent. Establishing a routine to organize your office and working to stay on task is the key to a strong filing system. When you have an important paper or papers to file, spend just a few minutes each week to make sure those documents find their way to their proper location. Investing just a few minutes each week to file documents can help eliminate any disorganization in the future.
With a little time, effort and planning you will find that it is easier than you think toorganize your office.
