Your desktop and kitchen table/counter are the hardest places to keep clear. To-do reminders, event announcements, bills to pay, letters that need follow-up, kid’s sport schedules – none can be pitched. So how do you keep the important papers handy and still have access to surfaces you need everyday? I have found three tricks that enable me to keep the piles organized.
- Name the action that each piece of paper reminds you to take. (If no action is required, go to #3) Write the action boldly at the top or on a sticky note to attach.
- Does that paper remind you of an errand to take care of? Is there any hurry? What day of the week are you most free to run errands?
- If you need to call someone, is there a deadline? When is the best time to reach him/her? Is there another action you must take before you can call – name that action as #1.
- Do you need to pay a bill? What is the due date? Do you need to transfer monies?
- Is this a coupon that you want to take advantage of? What is the expiration date? Which location will you be near in the next week or so?
NOTE to self: If the action required will take you less than 2 minutes, do it now! This will save you time, grief, and that paper is gone!
On the same sticky note, write down when and how you can best perform that action. This way you don’t have to rethink
later, saves brain cells. For example: