Home Office Paper #2

The next level of clearing and sorting paper after getting a handle on the new arrivals is the older stacks of paper or files.

It is one of those areas that require a consistent effort every day for about a week.   The gift that this effort brings is more space; more ability to move and a lighter look to the visible space that is your office. 

I know it is difficult to find this time and there is certainly an element of procrastination involved but think how good you felt in getting the current paper and files sorted.  This can be better because as you clear out the old you allow something new to enter, to support you, your business and your personal space.

Step 1

Get the timer, put it on for one hour.  Turn off all cell phones and computers.  Have a recycling bag close at hand for paper, a shredder for anything of a personal nature.  If you have more personal files than your shredder can handle hire a professional shredding company.  These companies are a quick and efficient way to remove unwanted documents.

Step 2

Pick a file out of your drawer, open it. Start going through every piece of paper.  Toss the info that is no longer pertinent.  Keep the rest in the proper locations. If there are documents that don’t apply to the name on the file, create a new one or put the paper where it belongs.

Step 3

Don’t put your collected recipes, pictures from books that inspire you to redecorate or current publication articles in files.  These are best put in stacking boxes with a label of what is inside.  There’s such a variety of beautiful canvas or colored boxes you can use to enhance your visual space and make your office more inviting.

Take a break after an hour and do something that brings you joy.  After a short break go at it again.  Just keep at it until you are done.  Prevent yourself from leaving it ‘until later’.

Tip

Keep only current issues of magazines or journals.  Recycle the rest.  Statistics show that people rarely, if ever can put their hands on an article that was read earlier.  Tear out the article if you absolutely need it and put it in one of your beautiful stacking boxes.   

Don’t forget to appreciate what you have done.  This is not an easy task.

Home Office Paper

There is no doubt about it.  Keeping on top of the paper pile in your office can be overwhelming. Probably just reading this brings you up short if you are caught in the grips of it.

Take a deep breath, exhale completely and move forward.  It is not as daunting as it might appear.  Feels like it, looks like it but there are a few short steps to fixing it.

This blog will focus on your new arrivals first.  In 2 weeks I will give you tips for dealing with older items.  For now this is dealing with the current paper that comes in.

 Step 1 

Get a supply of folders and labels. Also purchase a stand-up file.  Make labels for each item you receive, eg. phone, visa, cable, dept store bills etc. (one folder for each).  Take your current bills, open them, and recycle the envelopes and any advertising within.  Put the bill and/or receipt in the corresponding folder. 

Step 2

Decision time…arrange to have your bills sent and paid for online.  This is the most efficient way to eliminate the paper pile. If that isn’t comfortable decide immediately upon receipt of that bill what to do with it.  Piles of paper are small procrastinations.  Take the time every day to deal with what comes into your office or across your desk.  Train yourself to pay the bill immediately upon its arrival. 

Step 3   

Put the stand-up file on your desk.  Place these folders that you have labeled with your bills/receipts in them into the stand-up file.  They are visually available to access them quickly.  

You are now ready…receive a bill…open, recycle envelope and enclosed ads….pay bill…mark the date you paid it…put paid bill in file on your desk.

Once you set up this system it will take you less than 2 minutes to complete the ‘bill paying’ task.

Tip

If you have a home based business send invoices by email.  Eliminate the use of envelopes and stamps.

In preparation for next time do a bit of research, nope, don’t purchase a thing!  Just be aware of what is available in your local dollar store or stationary store for stackable boxes.

A Change

Call those resolutions something different!  Call them intentions.  Intentions are everything! They prepare the field for something new to emerge.  An intention is a subtle energy that even in molecular biology has a direct affect on your metabolism. Intentions are goal-based thinking.  Even the word ‘resolution’ holds the energy of an old belief system!

Want to make a significant change in your life?  Start by changing the language you bring to yourself in wanting that change.

In preparing clients to create something new for themselves as they clear a closet, a room, a locker or garage, I encourage them to bring a different language of support to themselves.  Words like ‘can’t, shouldn’t, should have, wished I had’, negates the self, limits the vision and over time creates a limiting belief of what is possible. 

It is time to get rid of the old belief system, the old paradigm.  Let’s start with ‘resolution’.  You have lived long enough to know that by February 1^st of any year your resolutions are no longer thought of with the intensity they were on January 1^st.   The change you wanted at the beginning of the New Year is lost in old habits.

Here are 3 steps to get you started on that change.

Step 1

Ask yourself what you want. Choose one desired outcome.  Limit yourself to that.

Step 2

Change any habits or patterns that are not in alignment with what you want.  This includes the language you give yourself when you think of your intention.  Act as if it is already achieved and you are the parent of encouragement to the shift.

Step 3 

Stop over thinking!  Catch yourself in your exhaling breath to bring you back into the moment, back into yourself.

Change is a choice.