This will be the first in a series of articles on Paper Management.  Virtually every client I meet has difficulties handling the vast amount of paper coming into her home.   Paper clutter can be viewed similarly to general clutter – paper piles reflect a series of postponed decisions.  Without a Paper Management System, processing the various types of paper you receive becomes next to impossible.

This month we will look at Step One of your Paper Management System; Establishing Your Location.

Establish ONE location where you routinely handle your paperwork.   This could be a home office, a desk in your family room, even your kitchen.   The key is to keep to that location and not have papers scattered all about.   A home office provides ample space for a desk, shelving , and  file cabinets.  On the smaller scale, if you need/want to work out of your kitchen, space is at a premium.  A rolling file cart (available at the Container Store) can handle a small amount of files as well as office supplies and can be moved out of the way when necessary.  Whether you are using a desk or kitchen table, make sure there is adequate space, good lighting, a comfortable chair (when using a computer, your elbows should be parallel to the floor), a trash/recycling bin, and telephone.  Other basic supplies include a container for writing utensils, calendar, clock, ruler, stationary supplies (various envelopes, notecards, address labels), stamps, tape, scissors, rubber bands, paperclips.  The better prepared you are to handle and process different types of paper quickly and easily , i.e. not searching all over for supplies, the more quickly and easily you can get it done!  Remember, the harder something is to do, the less likely we are to do it.

If your current system is quite cluttered and disorganized you may need to set aside time for an aggressive clean up before you can begin.  Visualize exactly how you want your space to look and feel.  Your environment and surroundings have a direct effect on your emotions, therefore a pleasant space makes for a more pleasant experience whatever the task.  Start by disposing of obvious trash.  Next categorize and collect books and papers.  Find a home for the books, and pile papers into categories:  file, act, pending or unsure.  Toss broken supplies and pare down multiples.  Set aside time over a weekend or over a few days to complete the project and stick to it until it’s done! 

More to come!