Creating a filing system

1) Create a working filing system that meets your particular needs.

2) Title files by either name or subject.

3) Color-code to distinguish files(geographically, suppliers, vendors, commercial, residential)

4) Alphabetize files

Magazines

1) Skim through the table of contents to see if an article is of interest. Tear out the articles of interest and get rid of the magazine. If nothing interest you, donate the magazines to a hospital or nursing home.

2) Create a file for the magazine articles you decide to keep and categorize them according to topic.

3) Purchase magazine holders to store magazines on shelves or in bookcases.

Mail

Divide the mail into the following:
Trash
Read-Create a read file
Response-To call, to write
File-File it away

If you don't have time to go through your mail daily, sort the mail using a portable file box labeling a sections for bills, correspondences, catalogs/magazines, and order request. Once you have the time, go through your mail and prioritize each category handling urgent mail first.

Desk

1) Only place necessary items on your desk(calendar, pen/pencils, clock)

2) Use trays to organize papers and projects but don't overload them. Clear them out daily.

3) Straight desk at the end of the day so that you can start each day of with a clear desk and a clear mind.

Following are tips if your car has become an extension of your office.

Office On The Go

Use a portable file box to organize literature, client files, brochures, contracts, and catalogs when you are traveling on the road. Portable file boxes are great for taking along when you are exhibiting or participating in a trade show.

Once you have a system in place, you won't waste valuable time searching through piles of paper.