22
Apr

Wasting Time on Paperwork | Organization Direct

Do you find yourself wasting time on paperwork and wondering how to get out from under the piles? We are inundated on daily basis with so much to do, in so little time. And paperwork can cause an enormous amount of stress.

PILE MANAGEMENT

Practicing “pile management” is the most popular answer that I hear when I speak to groups of both business owners and homeowners. Quickly, those piles can become unmanageable and multiply. The result:

  • Missed opportunities
  • Late payments
  • Stress and anxiety

Is there a way to avoid all of this?

DEVELOP A PAPER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Once you develop a paper management system you can avoid wasting time on paperwork. You will also safe time, money and stress for yourself and your family.  It isn’t, however, the first thing that people thing about developing in their home or business because you may not know “how” to set it up. Identifying what files you need and how to file your paperwork can easily keep you from making a decision to develop a paper management system.

KEEP YOUR PAPER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SIMPLE

One of the best ways to stop wasting time on paperwork is to have a quick and simple system that you use every day to manage your paperwork.

What should you keep in your filing cabinet? What should stay on top of your desk? How do you handle all of the incoming paperwork and make sure that bills get paid on time?

Your paper management system should be simple…not complicated. Just imagine, if something happened to you tomorrow that kept you from being able to handle your paperwork. Would someone else be able to come in and pick up right where you left off? And, an even better example is, if you had to fire an employee suddenly, would you be able to continue to manage your business? Or, would you find yourself wasting time trying to figure out your own filing system? What a waste of time!

HOW DO I DEVELOP A PAPER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?

If you are the person who is in charge of all of the incoming and outgoing paperwork in your home or office, make sure that your paper management system works for you. This can be especially difficult if your personality wants to have everything handy and not tucked away in a filing cabinet (like me).

Keep the paperwork that you use every day handy – not tucked away in a filing cabinet. Use a graduated lateral filing system to keep those files close to you that you need and use the most. These would be the files that you are in daily and weekly. Everything else should have a simple system that will help you avoid wasting time on paperwork.

AVOID WASTING TIME ON PAPERWORK

Paperwork needs attention on a daily basis. Typically, it isn’t identified as a “weekly” task. Touching your paperwork every day will allow you to easily stay on top of what needs to be done and avoid missed opportunities and payments and ease stress and overwhelm.

Linda Clevenger

Organization Direct