Eliminate Chaos - Are 18,000 sheets of paper enough?
 

Paper.  In my experience, it is the single most time-consuming 'thing' to organize.  Whether it's at home or at your office - you need systems to manage the flow of paper and information that bombards you every day.

Not only time-consuming, paper is also a challenge to organize - because of the 'information' that is contained on the paper.  In the end, it's all about being able to "retrieve" the information in a timely fashion, when you need it.  If you've saved it, but you can't retrieve it, what good is the information to you?

Did you know that about 82% of paper we file is never referenced again?  Did you know that you can fit 18,000 sheets of paper into a 4-drawer filing cabinet?  Ouch!  That is a lot of paper - especially if you never look at it again!  Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that you need to eliminate all of it, just think about what you are filing...before you file it away.

Here are a few things you may wish to consider when turning your piles into files:
 

1.  Do I need this information any longer? 

2.  What purpose does this information serve?

3.  If I lost this piece of paper, could I find the information someplace else?

4.  Do I need to save this information for tax or legal purposes?

Obviously there are certain documents we must keep for legal or tax purposes - whether at home or at the office.  Many reasons why people have so many piles of paper is because they have yet to make a "decision" about the information contained on the document and so it is "set-aside" for later or "just in case." 

In a conversation I had with someone yesterday, we were commenting how much easier it is to "focus" on your current activities when your desk is not covered with paper and projects that ultimately cause distraction.  Working in an environment where you are surrounded by paper or other forms of clutter - causes you to not be present and worry about other things that you've not yet completed.

Set aside 20-30 minutes a day to address the paper piles that have been nagging at you - until you have created a work environment that is less distracting. You'll be surprised at how much more focused you are and how much more you'll be able to accomplish.   And remember, once you have gotten the paper under control - you need to ensure you plan enough time into your day or week to "maintain" those systems you've created....or the piles will quickly return.

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