1. Alphabetize items
2. Number things
3. Date materials
4. Use different colors
5. Sort items of importance
6. Use color folders to keep track of papers
7. Use hanging folders to organize folders off your desk
8. Use file tabs to locate hanging folders faster
9. File away last year’s stuff in storage
10. Keep only the current year in your work area
11. Use organizing products to help
12. Put your most important papers in the front of folders
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I am happy that spring is just around the corner, and I am excited about my coming new tele-seminar on Time Management coming up in April. As I work on a few more details to have everything ready to go by launch date, I find myself having to manage my time carefully to get the important things done.

You can learn how to do this too, and I would love to help..
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1. Handle paper only once.
And if that is not possible, at least try to move it one step closer to completion every time you do pick it up.
 
2. Make decisions now.
Don’t put things down ‘for now’. Commit yourself to decide what to do with each piece of paper immediately.

3. Clear out your in-box for 15 minutes each day.
Don’t turn your ‘in-box’, into a ‘procrastinator tray’.  

4. Sort by Category.
Mail and e-mail should be sorted into categories. Try sorting ‘by Priority’, ‘by Action’ or ‘by Date’  

5. Write notes in the right place.
Numerous scraps of paper and notes will only serve to frustrate you. Choose one place to keep notes, and if they pertain to a client folder or project, put the notes in the proper file as soon as possible.  

6. Get real about what you can read.
Limit subscriptions, clip articles out if you want to keep it and recycle the rest of the periodical right away. Be realistic about how much you can actually read too.  
7. Purge papers regularly.
Twice a year purges will do wonders to keep the volume down. Take time to thin out files that contain unimportant notes, drafts and other non-essential information.  

8. Keep file systems logical and easy to use.
Creating a Dewey Decimal coded system or trying to develop some mythical ‘Perfect’ system is an urge you should resist.
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Today, for the Garage, and Home Office, I'm giving two tips each to help you get more organized.

Garage
1. Set up activity zones, such as the ones listed in my previous article called 'House Zones'. For example, group gardening supplies in one spot, tools in another, and decoration storage in their own area.

2. Look 'Up' and try using the walls to build shelving on and the ceiling for some over head storage. This will help you make better use of the space you have. Storage solutions like peg boards, clear bins, and open crates that allow for easy access are great ideas.
Avoid cardboard or risk water damage, mold and bugs!
 
Home Office
1. Keep most-often used items close at hand. For example, items used daily such as a stapler, writing tools and your calendar should be kept on your desk. Other items such as tape and rubber bands that get used less often can be kept in a nearby drawer. Plastic drawer organizers work wonderfully.

2. Sort and file paperwork. There is an ART to Filing. Paperwork can fall into three categories. A stands for ACTION, R stands for REFERENCE and T stands for TRASH.
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