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I'd like to talk to you about how you can handle and
organize all the paper that comes into your home or across your desk.
I've developed the 5 W's of Organizing, a Teaser, and a "Tickle" that
I'd like to share with you.
How the System Works: The 5 W's of Organizing is a set of questions, using
WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and WHY, that you ask yourself for every
piece of paper that you handle. This will also assist you on what TEASER to
use.
The 5 W's of Organizing Questions: As you pick up each piece of paper
ask yourself the following questions:
WHO does this belong to?
WHO needs this?
WHAT use is this?
WHAT do I need it for?
WHEN will I need this?
WHEN will I use it?
WHERE will I find this?
WHERE does it belong?
WHY do I have this?
WHY do I want this?
The TEASER will give you eight actions you can take to help you sort
through your paper piles, files, and lists. What? Teaser only has six
letters…you'll see.
Toss it
You can't answer the 5 W's, it's outdated, or broken.
End it
You don't want it, you want to cancel it, or you don't read it.
Act on it
Needs an action; such as your signature, phone call, or immediate attention.
Store it
You need and have answered the 5 W's. This will have three piles: Current,
Reference, and Historical
Enter it
Information you need to enter into your planner or computer.
Refer/Recycle/Read it
It belongs to someone else or you think they need it. Use it again or put
into a recycling bin. Something you want/need to read.
The TICKLER FILING SYSTEM (sorry, I don't know who developed this) is a
dated filing system that can be used to get the piles off your countertops
and desks. I use this system instead of an IN/OUT box. You can make one or
buy one already made at most office supply stores. The Tickler Filing System
consists of 43 folders, one for each month labeled January - December and
one for each day of the month, labeled 1 - 31. As you can see, this is an
action-dated system. The purpose of the system is to "tickle" you and it's
a
place to store the information or work you have or need for a particular day
and/or month. This is where you would file such things as your dated follow
up calls, airline tickets, vacation plans, meeting information, and bills.
Its
uses are endless!
Using the 5 W's of Organizing, a Teaser, and a "Tickle" daily will help you
keep your countertops and desks free of paper clutter and will give you more
time to do the things that you want to do!
Smiles, not Piles,
Janet L. Hall |
Janet Hall,
The Organizing Wizard and Certified Pyramid Feng Shui Practitioner, offers
professional organizing services to small and large businesses and also
works with individuals, families, seniors, and individuals with ADD and ADHD
in dealing with home clutter and time management. 
PILES,
FILES, LISTS - OH NO! 
