How Did This Happen?

by Laura Finney

During the first week of December 2008, I had purged my "perfect" chronological filing system with the files from 2007. No, not 2008, because I may need those (or so I thought) for reference in 2009. This was my tradition every December in the previous years. It was such a feeling of relief and pride, relief to be rid of the old and pride in being "pro-active" by preparing and filing empty folders for the upcoming year.

In January 2009, something happened. My two, very full, yet very organized desk file drawers were almost empty. How did this happen? What happened to my (at least twenty) categorical green hanging file folders and tabs? Where did all my "reference" aka inactive files go? All of the "projects" files and the "just in case" files are gone. This was no mystery. This was my old system being streamlined into my new system, my Paper Effectiveness system.

Getting the Edge's Paper Effectiveness system has transformed my working file drawers. The two drawers have gone from full to almost a quarter filled. From twenty (or more) tabbed file folders to three tabbed file folders (Project Reference, Actions, and Handy Reference). Implementing this system has allowed me to create a work environment that is neat and easy to manage. The Paper Effectiveness system has eliminated my using the file drawers as storage space filled with bulging file folders; full of information I would not need immediate access to. There are no "just in case" file folders in my newly organized file drawers.

The Paper Effectiveness system uses three categories: Project Reference, Actions, and Handy Reference. This system focuses on what works. In Project Reference, I put my supporting materials for current projects. Under Actions, you will find only paper that is needed to take action on any of my categories that begin with a double dot. And, the Handy Reference contains the paper of my frequently used list such as my phone list and contacts. That's it!

This sort of relief cannot be explained, it can only be experienced by using the Paper Effectiveness system in Getting the Edge. Using this system will give you the transformation to a clean, neat, and organized filing system.