Many of you avoid filing because it’s too difficult to file papers quickly. If your filing drawers are overflowing and you don’t have a large chunk of time to purge files all at once, do a little at a time.

 

Pull a few files from your drawer and leave them by your computer. Clean out individual files while you wait for your computer to boot up.

 

Next time you’re on the phone and you’re put on hold, pull a file and purge outdated information. Just don’t get so involved with the information that you forget who you were talking with. (I’m talking from experience here. I know the awkward pause feeling as I try to remember who is on the other line.)

 

Make a habit of clearing out one file first thing in the morning, before checking email, until your drawer is manageable again.

 

To keep your files from overflowing in the future, purge files after a project is complete and before you re-file it.