http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogList.asp?sort=organizer&schedule=41 Suzanne Kuhn ponders the issues, both practical and philosophical, that surface as she and her clients surf the tidal wave of paper in the "paperless society." Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:15:38 EST en-us http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1346 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1346 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 10:30:00 EST My mother-in-law passed away on Saturday, March 29, somewhere between 5:30 and 8:00 AM. She experienced excruciating pain in her back. She struggled with nausea that wouldn't resolve. She tried to manage the pain with a couple of stiff drinks. She made peace with her Maker. How do I know these things about my mother-in-law's final hours? Not because I was there. Not because she told me. Not because someone else recounted what they had seen or heard of Mom's final moments. ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1258 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1258 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST Just for fun, this morning I googled "paper organizing" and "blog + paper organizing." Then I threw into the mix a couple of web sites I already like for having good content about this paper wave we're surfing. The result is a list of seven web sites you may not have seen with useful insights on paper management. Record Retention Guidelines Although it's always good to check with your tax advisor if you're uncertain, this list provides a good place to start when you're ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1231 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1231 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST You're joining us in the midst of a discussion of document files , one of the three super-categories found in most home file systems. Document files detail the events, major and routine, in the life of your household. They include such categories as certificates for major life events, home and car purchase paperwork, banking and investment materials, and documents related to your health, education and employment. To provide an illustrative example, last week I shared the contents of my ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1205 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1205 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST Back in November, I wrote about documentation files , one three broad groups of files found in most people's homes and offices. Documentation files, as their name suggests, document something: the events, major and routine, in your personal life or your business operations. I listed common categories for personal documentation, including certificates for major life events, home and car purchase paperwork, banking and investment materials, and documents related to your health, education ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1169 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1169 Sun, 9 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST Back in December, I wrote about active files , describing them as the most needed yet most overlooked area of filing. Because active files are composed of items you are using regularly now , they need to be kept very close to where you work most often, i.e., right on your desktop or regular work surface. On my desktop, I have five active files, each housed in a durable, colored vinyl two-pocket folder. My To Do file is blue. Right now, it contains: · A list of people I need to ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1135 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1135 Sun, 2 Mar 2008 10:30:00 EST In my ongoing quest to manage paper for myself and my clients, I have come to rely on half a dozen tried-and-true products. I list them here in no particular order: 1. Removable file folder labels. These use the same adhesive as "sticky notes." They save headaches when you're setting up a long-term file system, because you can move them from one folder to another. (Ever think you had your alphabetical files sequenced correctly, and then found you had missed one?) I use a brand ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1091 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1091 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST Over the past couple of weeks, I've been revisiting my routines—those things I do regularly to keep my household and my life running smoothly. Gradually, I had noticed that things were unraveling--The laundry never seemed to be finished, family members were complaining about the cupboards being bare, and I made several panicked online bill payments on their due dates. Then it came me: My life has changed markedly over the past five years.--I've gone from full-time mother of ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1054 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1054 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST My absolute favorite book on paper management is Pat Dorff's File, Don't Pile. (Available through this site.) In it, she invites us to ask eleven critical questions about each piece of paper we're tempted to save: 1. Do I WANT it? 2. Do I NEED it? 3. Will it ADD SOMETHING NEW? 4. Is it SIGNIFICANT FOR MY PURPOSES? 5. Do I FORESEE A USE for it? 6. Is it TIMELY? 7. Is it QUALITY? 8. Is it ACCURATE and RELIABLE? 9. Is the AUTHOR AN AUTHORITY on the subject? 10. Is ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1016 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=1016 Sun, 3 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST I just read "Feng Shui in the Workplace" in Maria Gracia's book, Finally Organized, Finally Free for the Office . (It's available through this site.) In the book, she makes an intriguing observation: "Treat your files with respect. Your file folders represent your past, present and future business. Be sure your files reflect your business goals. This means they shouldn't be ratty or torn. It also means they should be organized." (P. 174.) It's an easy leap to rephrase ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=963 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=963 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST I have a new laptop! It's a Dell Inspiron 1525 running Windows Vista Home Premium. It has a 2 G Intel Core Duo processor, a 160 G hard drive, a CD burner with DVD reader, wireless and Bluetooth capability. Equally important is what it does not have—a webcam, a DVD writer, a fingerprint reader or a specialized graphics card for gaming. After shopping the local computer emporiums and finding that their in-stock models mostly came equipped with these features I knew I wouldn't need, I ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=910 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=910 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST Are you familiar with the book Getting Things Done ? I am a huge fan of this productivity system developed by author/consultant David Allen. His approach is bottoms-up: Master the trees (i.e., the daily details) and you'll master the forest (the big picture missions, goals and projects.). Developed first for the "knowledge workers" who comprise the majority of the American workforce, Allen's ideas have ready applicability to all walks of life, including homemaker and student. ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=877 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=877 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST Remember Mary Poppins? "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and SNAP, the job's a game!" Here are seven different games you can play to get yourself moving on a paper project – or any project – that's been hanging you up. 1. Time-In-A-Box Decide how much time you can really afford to give a task or project. For example, "I can afford to spend one hour writing my blog for Online Organizing." Then do the very best you can within that ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=830 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=830 Sun, 6 Jan 2008 10:30:00 EST When it comes to dealing with your paper clutter, are you like Gone with the Wind's Scarlett O'Hara, continually putting off disagreeable tasks until a mythical "tomorrow?" Here are some strategies that can help with procrastination, over paper or any other issue. The first step is knowing when you're not procrastinating, which strategies 1 – 3 address: Start by asking yourself "Do I know what I should be doing?" If the answer is "No," you're not procrastinating ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=783 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=783 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST At the end of October, I posted an entry entitled "I Got SMART," in which I discussed my personal goal to "Weed one file folder per day until all 72 folders in my four file drawers have been weeded by December 31, 2007." I described SMART goals as: Specific – It says exactly what's going to be done. Measurable – It's easy to tell whether a benchmark has been met. Attainable – It's realistic in light of other responsibilities and constraints. Resource-supported – Tools ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=746 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=746 Sun, 23 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST In this brief post during a busy holiday week, the keyword is RECYCLE. I actively encourage each of you reading this to look for recycling opportunities for all of your holiday "fallout." I will be doing so myself. You can recycle: Greeting cards – There are crafty, creative ways to recycle greeting cards if you enjoy that type of project. If not, greeting cards can be recycled with your regular paper. Wrapping paper – Believe it or not, wrapping paper can be recycled with household ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=595 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=595 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST Whether I'm teaching paper management in my workshops or helping a client purge their piles, certain questions just keep coming up. Maybe you have them, too. Here are five of the most common: Question 1 – How can I keep up with the mail each day? Answer – "TRAF" is a great little tool to use when sorting the mail: T oss – everything you possibly can, as soon as you come in from the mailbox. Seriously consider sorting your mail over the recycling bin. Simplify the process ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=594 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=594 Sun, 9 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST Over the years, I have developed a system for handling Christmas cards that works very well for my family and me. THE CARD I create a card on 8 ½ by 11" paper that is a greeting card on one side and a family newsletter on the other. The greeting card side is set up so it works when the paper is folded in three: a picture on the outside, usually of an angel; a warm greeting about Christmas and the new Year on the inside, and a blank back, like this: Set your page format to ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=338 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=338 Sun, 2 Dec 2007 10:30:00 EST As I speak to groups and work with individuals, I find that active files are the most needed yet most overlooked area of filing. Active files are composed of items you are using regularly now in the short term. Because of this, they need to be kept very close to where you work most often, e.g., right on your desktop or regular work surface. Active files tend to fall into these categories: Things to Do Contacts & Schedules Bills & Business To Read/Review ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=337 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=337 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST For those of you who have just joined us, we're in the midst of discussing the three main types of files: documentation, information and active. Last week, I described documentation files, which capture the major and minor events of your business or personal life. This week, the topic is information files—those files that cover topics of interest to you, either in your business or personally. Information files differ from documentation files in that they provide interesting or useful ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=336 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=336 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST In my own home office and in my customers' homes and offices, I have found that files fall into three broad categories: documentation , information , and active files. This is true whether your home office is for business or personal use; whether your files are paper or electronic or both; and even whether you have an "office" at all, or just a file cabinet somewhere in your home. This week, I will be discussing documentation files. Tune in next week for ideas about information files, ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=186 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=186 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST While doing my daily file folder purge (see I Got SMART , 10/28/07) I came upon a three-year-old email with such useful ideas on preventing identity theft and coping with it after the fact that I had to share them with you. I want to give credit to the author, but he is identified simply as "a corporate attorney who sent the following out to the employees in his company." Preventing Identity Theft The next time you order checks, have only your initials and last name put on them. If ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=182 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=182 Sun, 4 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST Recently, I spoke at a local grade school on organizing children for academic success. The most popular idea I shared was that of setting up a file box for each child. The box should contain a folder for each school subject, along with folders for any relevant categories of extracurricular activities: sports, clubs, telephone numbers, instructions to games and electronic equipment, artwork, etc. If your children are ages 11 years or older, you can teach them to do their own filing weekly, ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=40 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=40 Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:30:00 EST Since July, I've had the goal of weeding my family's files, four drawers full, or should I say crammed . But, up until last week, the goal sat undone on my to-do list. The job seemed too big to fit into my busy life right now. I always get bleary-eyed working with paper for too long. Something else seemed more important. You know the excuses. Then I got SMART. I turned my amorphous blob of a goal – "Weed the files" into a SMART goal – "By December 31, 2007, I will weed one file ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=26 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=26 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 10:30:00 EST Are you familiar with the 80/20 rule? The Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto first articulated it in the early 20 th century, when he observed that 80% of Italy's wealth was in the hands of 20% of the population. Since then, the "Pareto Principle" has been found to have widespread applicability, i.e., 80% of the effects (or benefits) come from 20% of the causes. There are many everyday examples of the 80/20 Rule. We wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time. We spend 80% of our time ... http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=25 http://www.onlineorganizing.com/BlogEntry.asp?id=25 Sun, 14 Oct 2007 10:30:00 EST My clients are always telling me what a problem paper is for them. Over the past year, 90% of my professional organizing jobs have involved dealing with paper in some form: sorting, filing, purging, etc. Last spring, when I gave a series of four workshops on different organizing subjects, the night on managing paper was the best attended of all. I read a statistic recently that 85% of all Americans struggle with paper. Why is paper such a problem? I can think of at least four reasons: ...