Professional Organizer’s Pick: Home Office Organization Product #2
File Box from Storables
Are you digging through piles of paper on your desk because you know what you need is ‘in here “somewhere?’ One word-”Stressful!” Oh, and two more: “time waster.” I zap paper piles by using a file box in my own home office for the papers I am actively working on as my “Active File System.” They come in many styles & colors: white, black, silver, metal & plastic and are under $20.
We often have papers coming at us that require an action, but we don’t have time to deal with them on the spot. A file box is a great organizing product to place next to your computer to use as a “temporary home” for the papers that require an action.The file box should be set up with clear labels according to the types of paper you are dealing with on a regular basis. This prevents ending up with paper piles that are all mixed up on your desk-yah! Piles make it difficult to think clearly and difficult to zero in on what you want to work on, so let’s fix that painlessly! Purchase a file box that matches your style and label hanging files inside.
Examples of labels you may need:
“Hot” for papers that need immediate attention
“To Do” for papers that require an action: forms to fill out, calls to make
“To Read” for articles, brochures, newsletters (not bulky magazines & newspapers)
“Pending” for something that is out there that you don’t want to slip through the cracks such as waiting on a rebate
“Upcoming Events” for itineraries, tickets, schedules
“Coupons”
If you have a home-based business, be sure to use two file boxes, one for home and a separate one for business papers which should have very different labels from your home folders. Another benefit to using a file box for home office organization: they are stable and mobile if you like to move to other areas of your office or home to work on your paperwork.
Make sure you look through your file box on a regular basis so you don’t miss anything and if any of your papers are time sensitive, make a note on your calendar!
Tags: Active File System, file box, folders, home office organization, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog, label, paper piles, professional organization, Storables
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