5 Mistakes To Avoid When Organizing Paper!
This is what you need to know about organizing your paper!
Organizing your paper won't pay down your debt, but it can bring peace of mind when you know you can find what you need, when you need it!
Here are the 5 mistakes to avoid when filing paper:
1) Don't have a complicated system - Filing systems designed for ADHD need to be simple and easy to maintain. Avoid too many categories and sub-categories. Label the categories, the way you will you remember them. Have your filing system near you. The less steps, the better!
2) No Misc. Files - The miscellaneous file might as well be a black hole in which you will never see the paper again! It becomes a dumping ground for paper, you really just don't know what to do with. Think of it this way, if a paper doesn't fall into one of your main categories, then really how important is the paper? We only retrieve 20% of what we file, make sure it matters!
3) Don't save paper just in case - Just in case of what? Ask yourself how interested are you in this paper, does it really matter? Could you get the information again when you really know you need it? Is the paper irreplaceable? If you must keep it, then file it under a category, but if you really don't, then shred or recycle it.
4) Don't overstuff- When files are too full, you are less likely to file papers back into place. Leave the file around one-quarter empty. If you need to, add another file to make sure this happens. The easier the system, the better!
5) Avoid paperclips and rubber bands - Sometimes when we have papers that need to be grouped, we will use paperclips or rubber bands, but these items do not last the test of time. They get hung up on other papers, they rust, adding all kinds of chaos in your file drawer. If you are concerned about the papers staying together, I suggest using a staple or creating a file folder for just that group of paper.
My last suggestion isn't a don't but a do! Remember to pay attention to your files and purge!!!
The less you have to organize, the less you have to maintain and the easier it will be for you to find what you need, when you need it!
Thank you for your time and attention...
Take Care,
Nikki
