7 Essential Ways To Get Organized

1. Use A Good Filing System
 
There's nothing like an organized set of files to keep you on track with minimal effort. Invest in a filebox or file cabinet, a set of hanging file folders, and plenty of manila folders. Sort everything by subject and time period such as months or years. Stay on top of it.
 
2. Back Up Your Data
 
Computer files can be very disorganized as well. All the more reason not to have a mess in the first place. Again, sort your files by subject and time period, and then place them into separate file folders. Stay on top of it.
 
Staying on top of whatever system you use, whether paper or electronic, is the most important step you can take.
 
3. Get Rid of Non-Essentials
 
If you haven't used something for a long time, never used it before, or never even see it except when going through piles of junk, just get rid of it. You obviously don't need it. Sell it, donate it, or discard it to make space for things you do need.
 
If you're discarding paper with your name, address or other personally identifiable information, shred it. To help protect yourself from identity theft, be sure anything that has your info on it that you discard is destroyed. Everything else you don't need you can give away, recycle, or pitch in the trash. If it's a useable item, call Good Will or the Salvation Army to dispose of it.
 
4. Don't Add New Stuff
 
If you're trying to get rid of stuff, avoid buying more of it. Keep life simple. No new paperwork, packaging, receipts, and warranties means fewer headaches.
 
5. Sort Emails
 
Use your email inbox only for pending items, not for storage. Everything else, once you're done handling it can go in an appropriate folder. Model your email folders after your other filing systems. For email, add folders for different people you correspond with. Put both emails you receive from them, and emails you send them in the folders named for them. You'll have an email trail that can help refresh your memory the next time you write them. It helps you keep track of their email addresses too.
 
6. Take Notes With A Voice Recorder
 
Keep a digital voice recorder with you (some cell phones have this feature too) to take notes as you come up with ideas or remember things you need to do when you're on the go. This is an especially useful way to capture thoughts that would otherwise slip your mind. Review and purge regularly.
 
7. Tune Out Noise
 
There is too much information in the world. In order to be effective at what you want to do, you must limit how much you're exposed to that is not relevant to your goals. That means turning off the TV, limiting the time you socialize during the workday, and ignoring things that are not important to you. Life becomes a lot less hectic that way.
 
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