I came into my office the other day and felt paralyzed because of all the loose paper on my desk.
I felt like I was going to miss something – a deadline, a to do, something important – because I hadn’t been through these papers. This is what I did with the piles of paper on my desk. You can do the same to get organized and conquer your paper.
While I was on hold on the phone, I made the decision to get through the piles as FAST as possible. I didn’t want to waste any time.
Do this to process your piles of paper.
Here are the steps I followed:
1. Make a decision.
Now was the time. I was going to FOCUS and get this done. I’m deciding right now. I hyped myself up. Ready. Go.
2. Get your mindset right.
I know everything I need to know. I can make decisions. I don’t need to keep things. I will think very orderly and organized. I will make ONE list. I won’t keep scraps of papers. I will move quickly with bullet-like focus.
I repeated these things to myself. I like to stand tall and speak them with authority when possible!
I can make hard decisions. I can work quickly. I can stay focused and not choose distractions. This is totally possible.
3. Pile all the papers in one single pile.
Get them all together. ONE pile.
4. Start with the top piece.
We’re all so predictable. With organizing clients or even with myself, we’ll look at one piece of paper, and then if we’re unsure what we should do, we set it down and go to the next piece.
None of that!
Stand up. Constrain yourself and focus. Make a decision right now with the top piece of paper. There are no right or wrong decisions. Just make a decision. Keep? File? Throw? Act on?
5. Use the 3-How Questions to process paper.
Download and print the 3-How Questions PDF.
You can read more about using this process and dealing with paper here.
Do exactly as it says and process each piece of paper by asking one question at a time.
If it takes two minutes or less, do the task right now.
If the paper needs to be filed, file it right now!
If it needs additional action, decide when you’ll take this action, add to your calendar, make a list…
Whatever it takes, do it!
Do this daily.
If you want to stay on top of your paper, do this process daily.
That’s it. You’ve got this!
What is your biggest challenge with paper? Email me here to let me know.
Questions? Leave them in the comments.
Still feeling overwhelmed and can’t seem to get started? I offer a very specific 10-week program for organizing paper! Not only will you learn how to organize paper, you’ll learn why you’re disorganized and what you can do about it AND you’ll learn coaching tools that will change your life!
Sign up for a FREE call here to find out more.
