3 Simple Filing Guidelines
By Maria Gracia of Get Organized Now!

One of the most basic ways to find papers when you need them is to retrieve them from an effective filing system. A good filing system will allow you to find what you're looking for in 10 seconds or less.

Here are 3 simple filing guidelines that can help:

1. CATEGORIZING.
A filing system is only effective, if you can find everything you need, when you need it--without a struggle. And all good filing systems have different categories of papers. Your papers are either going to fall into a MAIN category, or a SUB-category.

For example, a main category might be FINANCIAL. Some sub-categories within Financial, may be:
--Savings Account
--Checking Account
--Money Market Account

In your filing cabinet, your main categories should always be hanging file folders with a labeled tab. Your sub-categories should be labeled manila file folders inside the appropriate main category hanging folder.

2. BASIC FILING SYSTEMS.
For the most part, people choose to use one, or a combination of, these basic filing systems:

A. Alphabetical (A, B, C, D, etc.)

B. Numerical (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.)

C. Chronological (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, etc.)

The one you use, depends on what you're using it for. For example, if you need to keep files for all of your customers (or associates, friends, etc.), alphabetical by last name usually will work best.

For sequential case numbers or projects that are numbered, a numerical system would probably work best.

If it is necessary for you to find things by date, then chronological may be your choice.

Some people get really creative and use a combination of these systems. For example, you may want your main categories to be chronological, but the sub-categories inside to be alphabetical.

3. LABELING.
If a file isn't labeled properly, it's not going to be quick and easy to find:

* Always write your subject on the tab of the file folder, close to the top of the tab, so you can easily see it when you're looking through your files.

* Use a medium point, black marker to label your files. Print; don't use script.

* Use as few words as possible on the tab.

Addition by Subtraction
By Maria Gracia of Get Organized Now!

There are so many things to do. And so little time.

I'm sure you often find something that piques your interest and you say to yourself: I'll have to add that to my schedule.

Hmmmmmm. If you think about that statement for a moment, you'll realize that you really can't ADD anything to your schedule, without first SUBTRACTING something else from it.

What are the items that you will choose to subtract, so that you can add the things you REALLY want to do?

It should be those things that are not doing anything to help you fulfill your goals and dreams.

It's all a matter of basic mathematics. You can't add to a 24 hour day. You must use the Addition by Subtraction method.

Next time you hear yourself saying, I'll have to add that  to my schedule, first fill in this simple statement.

I will SUBTRACT ________ from my schedule,

so I could ADD __________ to my schedule.

This will help you find that needed time for the things you love to do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by Maria Gracia - Get Organized Now!
http://www.getorganizednow.com

FREE Idea-Pak and E-zine filled with tips, ideas, articles and more to help you organize your home, your office and your life at the Get Organized Now! Web site!

Graphics, Design & Hosting by Web4Christ Ministries

Home | Webzine | Archives | Resources
Free Graphics | Our Mission | Membership
  Submission Guidelines | E-Mail Fellowship

Author: Iona Hoeppner
Copyright © 2006 Handmaidens4Christ. All rights reserved.
Revised: March 03, 2006.