Handling Paper Clutter,  Part 2

Once you’ve established the location where you will process your papers, it’s time to set up your Paper Management System.

The “In Box”:

The “In Box” is a box/tray where you contain all of the day’s papers versus scattered all about the house.  It is here where you put the mail, kids’ backpack material, catalogs, magazines, newspapers.  The key to this step is committing to a time frame in which you sort the contents!  This is where a change of habit becomes necessary.  Carve out a certain time of day (preferably the SAME time every day) in which you process the days’ papers.  Keep in mind, process does not necessarily mean DO.  Process means categorizing and eliminating.  All paper falls into one of three categories – Toss, File, or Act.  Toss/recycle as much as possible and only file what you will/may need to refer (more on filing in the future).   Action items require more time.  Keep this rule in mind – if an action takes less than 2 minutes to complete DO IT NOW to avoid piling.  Keep all of your actions items together in a folder, especially if there are several of them.  Again, to process the action items, carve out a bit of time daily and slowly peck away at it.

As far as your reading pile goes, toss any and all old newspapers, more news will arrive daily.  Restrict yourself to no more than 2 or 3 magazine subscriptions and recycle or donate back issues.  If you keep back issues for reference, purchase some magazine holders (available at The Container Store and several other locations) but restrict yourself to keeping no more than 2 years worth!  For catalogs, if you don’t currently NEED anything they offer, toss these immediately.  Only look through those catalogs that contain items for which you are currently searching.  Keep reading material where you are most likely to read it.  Another spot is the car for those times you are stuck waiting for kids, appointments, etc.

Key questions to keep in mind when sorting papers:

1.  Did you ask for this information?
2. Is the information available anywhere else (i.e. internet)?
3. Is the information timely – “just in case” doesn’t count!  If a flyer arrives for a carpet cleaning service and you have no intention of cleaning your carpets for at least 6 months, toss it!
4. What is the worst thing that could happen if you tossed this information?  If there are tax or legal implications hold onto it, otherwise……

Remember, if you HATE processing paper, make the experience as quick and pleasurable as possible and reward yourself when you are done!

More in July!