An excerpt from my ebook: 'Getting Organised'
The Ten Commandments for Sorting out your Paperwork
- Open all mail and files as it comes in
- Scan the name of the sender
- Sort the papers out into “Must read” and “Can throw away right now” categories
- Throw away the throw-away-able RIGHT NOW - don’t let it get a taste for your desk. Put it where it belongs.
- Set aside a time of the day when you will be able to read the incoming papers
- If you know that some paperwork is important but you don’t have time to read it now, put it in the In Tray
- Sort all your incoming paperwork into piles of (i) Must do today (ii) Must do this week (iii) Can leave for a week or more (iv) Can file this paper away now
- Make a space on your desk for files or papers that come into category (i) - put them in to priority order and start to work through them
- Once a job is done and you have finished with the paperwork, either (i) file it way in the right place or (ii) put it in the bin
- Let the waste bin become your best friend