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Thursday, February 23, 2017

Weekend Wednesday #8 - File Papers "Filer's Choice"

Besides being a professional organizer, I am also an indoor cycling instructor. Occasionally, in my classes, I'll set aside a song for "rider's choice." Usually at this point in a class, riders are in one of two places, "feeling strong and can take on the world" or "given all I can give and just need to survive to the end of class." Rider's choice allows one to take control and go where and how they want to go for this song.

So, on this last "official" week of filing papers, I'm calling "filer's choice." This means you get to chose:

  • topic (do you still have tax papers?) 
  • number of papers (don't exceed 20 pieces of paper but do no less than 10)

Preparation Steps

Pre Step 1 - Check your stock of file folders & hanging file folders.
Prep Step 2 - Have Post-It notes on hand.

Action Steps

Step 1 - Gather 10-20 Pieces of Paper to Be Filed
Just pick 10 and only 10.

Step 2 - Start Filing
Stop after you have filed 10 pieces of paper.

Step 3 - Make Any Folders That Are Needed
I recommend a hanging & manila folder system. The substeps are below. Here is where the Post-It notes come in.

     Step 3.1 Make a Manilla Folder - Use a Post-It for the label. This makes it easy for recycling folders.
     Step 3.2 Make a hanging folder - use a Post-It for the label

Step 4 - Assess Your Project
How did it go? Was it easy? Was it hard? Learn from what worked and carry it forward into next week's project. Also learn from what didn't work and avoid it moving forward.

The full list of Weekend Wednesday projects can be found here: 2017 Weekend Wednesday.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Weekend Wednesday #7 - 10 Pieces of Paper - Taxes Edition

This is week #2 of filing papers. This week, the focus is on finding and filing your papers/receipts connected to your taxes.

We all have the pile of papers that need filing. Well, this is your chance to take them on.

This week, we will focus on filing taxes papers as tax season is here!

This weekend, you will file 10 papers...and 10 papers only!!!

Preparation Steps

Pre Step 1 - Check your stock of file folders & hanging file folders.
Prep Step 2 - Have Post-It notes on hand.

Action Steps

Step 1 - Gather 10 Pieces of Tax-Related Paper to Be Filed
Just pick 10 and only 10.

Step 2 - Start Filing
Stop after you have filed 10 pieces of paper.

Step 3 - Make Any Tax Folders That Are Needed
I recommend a hanging & manila folder system. The substeps are below. Here is where the Post-It notes come in.

     Step 3.1 Make a Manilla Folder - Use a Post-It for the label. This makes it easy for recycling folders.
     Step 3.2 Make a hanging folder - use a Post-It for the label

Step 4 - Assess Your Project
How did it go? Was it easy? Was it hard? Learn from what worked and carry it forward into next week's project. Also learn from what didn't work and avoid it moving forward.

The full list of Weekend Wednesday projects can be found here: 2017 Weekend Wednesday.

Friday, February 10, 2017

Weekend Wednesday #6 - File 10 Pieces of Paper

This week, and for the rest of February, we will take on filing papers.

We all have the pile of papers that need filing. Well, this is your chance to take them on.

This weekend, you will file 10 papers.

Preparation Steps

Pre Step 1 - Check your stock of file folders & hanging file folders.
Prep Step 2 - Have Post-It notes on hand.

Action Steps

Step 1 - Gather 10 Pieces of Paper to Be Filed
Just pick 10 and only 10.

Step 2 - Start Filing
Stop after you have filed 10 pieces of paper.

Step 3 - Make Any Folders That Are Needed
I recommend a hanging & manila folder system. The substeps are below. Here is where the Post-It notes come in.

     Step 3.1 Make a Manilla Folder - Use a Post-It for the label. This makes it easy for recycling folders.
     Step 3.2 Make a hanging folder - use a Post-It for the label

Step 4 - Assess Your Project
How did it go? Was it easy? Was it hard? Learn from what worked and carry it forward into next week's project. Also learn from what didn't work and avoid it moving forward.

The full list of Weekend Wednesday projects can be found here: 2017 Weekend Wednesday.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Weekend Wednesday #5 - Office Supply/Shelf Area

As I mentioned in my last post ("When Life Shows Up - Give Up or Learn?") Weekend Wednesday #4 has been cancelled so we kick off February with Weekend Wednesday #5 - Decluttering & Organizing an Office Supply area or Self.

Below are the preparation and weekend steps you will take to tackle an office supply area of office shelf.

Step 1 - Preparation - Select the Area
Either in your home or work office area, find a shelf or office supply area that needs some help.

Here are my "before" pictures. Yes, I have supplies in 2 separate places. This will be fun.




Step 2 - Preparation - Recycle, Trash and Move
Ensure that you have recycle and trash bins to capture what you will no longer need to keep. Also designate an area for items that will move. This movement can be donation or give away.

Step 3 - Weekend Work - Clear the Area
Take everything off/out of the area you have already designated.

Step 4 - Review & Analyze
Pick up each item and decide if you want to keep it, trash it or move it. For the "keeps" group them like-with-like. Immediately, put the "trash" items in a trash bin* and the "recycle" items in a recycle bin. There is no need to create a new pile of "stuff."

Step 5 - Schedule "Move"
Grab your calendar and schedule a time when you will handle the "move" items. It might entail taking the items to your friend/family member (if they indeed want the items). Schedule that time in your calendar. It might entail taking the items to a donation center. Schedule that time as well.

Step 7 - Return Keep Items To Shelf
As you return the items, ensure you put like-with-like and that you are able to see everything you have.

Step 8 - Assess Your Project
How did it go? Was it easy? Was it hard? Learn from what worked and carry it forward into next week's project. Also learn from what didn't work and avoid it moving forward.

The full list of Weekend Wednesday projects can be found here: 2017 Weekend Wednesday.

*NOTE: If any of the "trash" items are "hazardous/electronic" waste (like batteries or toner etc) be sure to properly dispose of them at an authorized household hazardous waste center. Each city has a website for household/electronic waste information. The Long Beach, CA link is here: Long Beach Recycles.