Posted by Sundi Hayes in 
I can’t imagine how confusing it would be to start on part 3 so why don’t you go back to part 1 and part 2 if you haven’t see them yet?
Yeah! Part 3…The End! I mean the end is here after you finish this step…I didn’t mean you could stop right now!
Remember the whole “never alphabetize” part of this? We’ve arrived! All you organization-challenged will love it! It is one of my favorite things about File Don’t Pile: A proven filing system for personal and professional use.
First, confirm the masters! You should have a master file for every stack or container. Each master file should have a different color designation. In your filing cabinet, behind the master file, in numerical order, are the supporting files. (I use the term “filinf cabinet” loosely as you may have a tote or file box.)
Second, seek and ye shall find! If you’re in the office supply store and you want fancy-pants resume paper you go to the paper section, right? If there is more than one section of paper you skim the signs at the end of the isles until you come to specialty papers. Then, you find 100% cotton in cream with a water mark, right? The same goes for this filing system. Pull out the master folder for paper and skim the list until you come to “018 – 100% cotton, cream, water mark,” put back the master file and flip through the support files to folder #018!
Third, everything has a place! If you want to file something new just reverse the steps. Pull out the master file for binding supplies, go to the end of the list, next to the first blank number write “2 inch, white, lockable D-ring,” and replace the master file. Then, pull out a blank coordinating support folder and write in the number you used followed by “2 inch, white, lockable D-ring.” To file it, put it at the end of the color coordinated support files for the binding supplies section.
Fourth, check me out (aren’t you the organized one?)! Your master folders could include active clients, archived clients, vendors, staff, bills, warranty or electronics, and taxes. Depending on your niche and how detailed you choose to be the possibilities are endless.
[Hint] What about that “misc” container? When you have everything else filed, go through it again. Maybe you realized now there was duplicate stuff you’ve already filed. Or you might know exactly where to put something now because its proper home is clear to you. Yeah, perhaps you’ve reached your tolerance threshold and you just want to dump the whole container in the trash! As a last resort, put it in the top of the closet somewhere and come back to it another day.
There you have it everyone! Not only have I used this system for myself but I’ve set it up for many people. The feedback I’ve gotten has been positive and, especially for the organization-challenged, the system is easy to maintain. If you have any questions I’d be happy to help you out! The book is even a reasonable investment at less than 10 bucks.
As a final note this system can be as neat or as sloppy as you want it to be but as long as you follow the master folder and support folder system it is still organized! Being the ESTJ I am, I prefer printed labels with colored bars across the top but a pen and marker directly on the file folder is equally effective. Also, if you go in tab placement order your file titles are always visible as apposed to going hap-hazard when filing alphabetically!
Nibbling away -
Sundi
