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The New Year is upon us and for those that are enjoying the freedom of the Freedom Filer System; here is a friendly reminder to switch your ODD and EVEN years.
When bringing forward the EVEN year folders for 2010, keep in mind that each folders contents are going to be 1-2 years old when you get to filing more into them, so you can choose to discard contents at the same time as the move, or if filing by month, use a clip to mark the month you are in for quick and easy reference and discard contents as you move each month ahead.

Please remember that although the Freedom Filer provides a method for automatic purging, the ultimate decisions on retention, be it 1-2 years, 10 years or indefinitely, is your decision. We are here to help you adapt your system according to your specific needs, should you need this help.

You can also visit our PRODUCTS Page to learn more about how we can help you set up this system and customize it for your needs, taking the worry out of having to go it alone and setting it up quickly so you can get on with bigger better pursuits in 2010.

For those not using this system yet want to learn more, you can visit the FreedomFiler Site. If you have the confidence to set up yourself you can to purchase directly. Learn More
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"I am happy to announce that I have recently accepted the role of Treasurer for the BC Chapter of the P.O.C. Canada's Professional Organizers Association.  

It is not the first time I have signed up for an executive role to help support the organizations I have been involved in, and I am sure it will not be the last. Yet, I expect it will be rewarding as always.  

I look forward to becoming more involved in my industry and community as the years progress and learning new skills in which will help me serve my clients even better."

Michelle
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Make it Stick 12/18/2009
 
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Have you ever put a piece of paper aside to work on later yet when you go to pick it up you can’t remember what the next step was or where you left off?

I know in the past I have done this and I found it very frustrating. Here is a quick trick that is easy to do and effective and I would like to share with you.

When you have an important task to perform with a paper yet need to do it at a later date, I find the best thing to do is make a note on it now as to what your next step is specifically.

Marking down the deadline, what you did last with it and who or what you need to do next. This way the next time you grab that paper you won’t have to think hard about what you were going to do with it.

So many times we start something yet can’t finish it right then, so we put it aside. The trouble starts when you pick it up again and have to replay events in your head to try and remember why you put it down in the first place or what you needed to do next.

Try this next little technique, it should greatly improve the chances that the next time you grab your paper you will very quickly know what to do and thus save yourself time in investigating or trying to remember what you needed to do.
 
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No matter what kind of paperwork you are holding onto or need to sort through, there really are only three categories that they all fall into...  

Action, Reference and Trash.  

Action files need to be set up for papers that require immediate action or follow up action. These should be held close at hand on your desk top, in your briefcase or perhaps in a Finger-Ready System at your side.  

The next category is Reference files. These are anything that you will hold onto for future reference and include your paid bills, inactive client files all the way to your tax archive.  

And last, of course, we have Trash. Toss them or shred them as you don't need them.  

Properly categorizing and sorting paperwork is half the battle, and the ART of filing.
 
TIPS: Sort paper over the trash.
Remember, less is better.  

If you have a hard time deciding what to toss or not to toss, contact us. We would be happy to help.
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Let's explore Wikipedia for some interesting information on Professional Organizing...

Did you know that there are thousands of organizers in the industry in a very large number of diverse categories and specializations? Some of these include Design, Ergonomics, Events, Children, Lifestyle, Seniors, Attention Deficit Disorder, Moving, Finance/Bookkeeping, Commercial Office, Workflow, Estate Organizing, Feng-Shui, Photographs, and Students etc. etc. etc.

There have been a number of several popular television programs, starting with Life Laundry, Clean Sweep, Neat, Mission: Organization, Clean House and Neat TV as well as magazines like Real Simple, and many articles that appear on a regular basis in a wide range of media.

Learn more at Wikipedia
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