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.
