Don’t Alphabetize – Organize! part 1

This series is based on a book I read many years ago about filing.  Not an over stimulating topic for sure, but one which all of us can appreciate on some level.  (Live there or visit often enough to survive, which ever works for you!)

The book is File Don’t Pile: A proven filing system for personal and professional use and the author knew enough to keep it to a pamphlet-sized read – you can do it in one night if you push yourself a little.

The book contains the easiest system I’ve ever used and it is very streamlined for people who don’t like to file!  The best part about the system is that you NEVER have to alphabetize a thing.  I’m going to share with you the basics…enough to get you started but not enough to bore you.  As for any fantastic end result we have to do some prep work so let’s get to it…

First, get ready to organize!  You have to make some space. Empty containers are a good idea too.  Containers make your organizing efforts portable (read as “get it off your desk so you can see your computer!”).  Prepare yourself to thin down!  Chances are good you want to thin things out as you go along…at least it would be really nice if you did!

[Hint] How to decide what to thin down: if you can get it again from the original source, aren’t sure why you kept it to begin with, or the information is out of date, trash it. F or safety’s sake, go with your gut.  If it feels funny to throwing it away then keep it.  (See “misc” below.)

Second, establish categories!  Decide on preliminary categories to use.  For example, isles of an office supply store: paper, writing instruments, filing supplies, binding supplies, calendars, office equipment, electronics, etc.  Be sure to think big picture!

Third, mark the space!  If you are using containers then label them now with the categories you’ve established so far.  If not, then decide where you will stack what.  Have trash bags handy and, if it makes you feel better, ONE container or stack labeled “misc.”  This is for the items that you think you need to keep but you don’t know why.  Keep some empty containers handy so in part two you can use them on the fly.

Fourth, grab a pile of stuff!  Get started sorting into your destinations.

[Hint]  I know this part sucks!  If you stop you’ll have a project stuck in two, maybe three, different stages and that makes it worse!  If you need moral support then send me an email and tell me how bad it sucks so I can tell you I know and you’ll love yourself for it when you are done.  Or get some support through the comments.  The key is to work on it the best way for YOU…if you are a weekend project kind of person then dive in but if your not, pace yourself with a pile a night or work on it only 15 minutes a day.

For Part 2 you are going to need some things.  Run to the office supply store and pick up the following: a place to store your completed files, file folders of the plain variety (vs. colors), labels or markers and plain old paper.

Next time we’ll cover how to make those organized piles of stuff absolutely gorgeous.  In filing terms, of course.

Nibbling away -

Sundi