I've been a Professional Organizer since 2001, having transformed 800+ offices into creative, functional, organized work spaces. Many of my clients are ADHD and out-of-sight-out-of-mind types who excel with customized systems. I'm in the Metro Washington, DC area and have both in-person and online coaching clients. Please comment with your video requests! What do you struggle with? What types of transformations do you want to see?
this super helpful and it is great that you are supporting ADHD needs and acknowledging that there's still lots of paper in our lives especially if we are wary of having everything be "digital"
i was advised by 2 government auditors from different organizations to have paper for every record. They have not gone digital and don’t recommend relying on digital files as they have seen many digital file failures.
No file folders for me. Just open boxes for all medical, bills, file 2024, shred, recycle, paper/notebooks, stationary items etc. Glad your files work for you.
I have enjoyed considerable success in my life and I am now semi-retired, I also consult on personal organization. For 25 years, I have used an empty desk system. To be productive, you have to manage distractions. Your desk is NOT for storage. It must only contain things needed for your current task. I have four boxes beside my desk: My Inbox (stuff I haven’t looked at yet), Pending (work in progress) a Waste Paper Bin and, most importantly, a Slush Box. This contains anything and everything I MIGHT need to refer back to) .95% of the clutter ends up here. If you take 30 seconds to dump your desk clutter in here, You have a clear desk immediately, you will also improve access to the clutter, since you can now search the box of clutter from top to bottom in a systematic fashion. On the very rare occasions I need to dip into the slush box, I quickly go through its contents transferring 99.9% to the Waste Paper Bin. The insight behind this process is that few things (including most bits of paper) are truly important, the rest is rubbish. I use a single notebook for everything and avoid the distraction of my computer by only opening my laptop when I need to do something with it. I do have a physical filing system, which contains genuinely important documents, (contracts, agreements, legal etc.). The rule here is “Don’t put it down, put it away”. I DON’T have a box for documents to be filed. My approach to computer files and email, mirrors the process for paper, with one important difference. Because of the power of a computer’s search capability, I have single folders labeled Archive, where I dump everything that isn’t deleted. It’s impossible to miss-file anything, and it is quick and easy to find everything.
Binders or files? Would you please offer any insights if there are reasons to use one or the other? I’ve always used file folders /hanging folders, but there was a moment when I thought it might be good to use binders based on Lisa Woodward’s system, organized 365. I really tried to give it a go. I went back to file folders and folders, I couldn’t figure it out.
I met Lisa Woodward once! Love her. I've found that binders don't work for most of my clients. If binders are in any way already working (and I mean, really working), then we run with it. If not, then I never encourage someone to become a binder person. I think they're good in theory, but in practice can be too fussy.
20 years ago when I started dating my husband, a private one-man natural doctor with a small practice; and a small church minister: his kitchen table was a pile of client papers. So on the weekends when I would hang out with him waiting for him to be done with his Sat clients I would file for him and over time I became important to his practice. He asked me to move in with him after dating for about 3 months and began to take on more tasks he needed help with. We married 1 year later and I stopped working outside of the home. Today, we operate a 4000-member church and thriving natural medicine college. I applied all the knowledge I had learned in the 10 years of working in administration, reception, and filing. At the time, I was working as a temporary office worker because I was really into travel and being single. I took on the challenge to support his life plan and together we have prospered even more as a team. This was the best decision I have ever made being bored and choosing to file rather than sit around doing nothing or complaining about how busy he was and then saying yes to marrying him..Thats my lemonade story that God gave me.
Yes! Thank you for your simple systems! As a teacher, who, at the beginning of the pandemic, had to quickly pack up, move our classroom to my bedroom (yes, my bedroom!!!) and start teaching remotely all within a couple of days….and who has since taught four different grade levels, I have been paralyzed by paper (as well as digital documents, drives, and accounts) that “I might need again someday.” In addition over the past two years, I have downsized my parents and my mother in law from their respective 45+ year homes. Needless to say, I am completely drowning in stuff!!! Thank you, thank you for helping me take simple steps to regain control!!! 😩🤪🤷🏻♀️😅
I have a hanging file folder holder on my desk dated and use it as a tickle file. I got the idea from my boss who somehow does this through email but I couldn't get it to work until I put it in paper form.
I think part of the organising process is NOT doing it alone! Exactly why we have failed every time previously. Getting someone's observations and emotional support in such a major task is the key to even starting. Someone being there with us down on all fours sorting out our lives-the very missing link! And here you are in these videos giving us the virtual emotional support and the great tips to help us start again on the journey. You are doing a great service being our external pair of kindly eyes journeying right beside us. Thank you! ❤
That warms my heart! You've really captured the essence of the work. I have a lot of good ideas and technical know-how, but I agree that the most valuable asset is focus and support. More than giving advice, I sit with people as they generate their own best ideas that never would have happened on their own. Thank you.
Even though this is now four years ago. I specifically needed this paper system. My now ex husband left us two and half three years ago. If I did not have this system I would not have been able to track anything that he had digitally. So ladies. You need this and you need to know the bills and account numbers and make sure you know that you are allowed to be authorized to even talk to collectors on the phone or you are sunk. Paperless is great but in my situation and now it’s at an end. I will always have this system forever. Also, for in the future if anything was ever to happen to me? My kids or family can go to this system to see right away where and how everything is set incase that need to know what bills were paid or due etc. still “old school” method is the best for all circumstances. Good luck.
i have been working from home since 2016. i used to have a print this file for when i went into the office…but as others turned to digital I could start submitting digitally….so i don’t ever go into the office now. to print/save i use One Note….it’s my filing cabinet….it is faster finding documents than any filing cabinet. i have one tab for notes/ to do’s ….but tracking to do’s have those in the project folder because they’re long term timeline notes. i have a large index card for each program with quick check information….but the same is on One Note and I find myself looking there, because to edit i can type instead of starting over a new index card…. i’ve really broken the paper habit….except i still use a paper planner because i need the calendar in front of me.
Thanks for sharing. Personally, I rely heavily on Evernote (similar to One Note), but that's another video for another time! Yes, these digital places lifesavers. Couldn't go an hour without it.
Im so glad your video came up recommended. Over the years, attempting to keep paper clutter from becoming an out of control headache, I've naturally come up with this solution being the one to solve my issue. Started with a pile in the kitchen, (the office is on the other side of our home) then a few file folders. Then I realized I need a whole file box right there. Been putting it off because I wasn't sure how to execute it. Now I have the tools I need. Thank you.
In babies and toddlers it is called object permanence. For adults, out of sight, out of mind is a very good way to put it. Does anyone have a problem with putting things like gift cards, birthday presents, that perfect anniversary gift for your spouse in a "SAFE PLACE" never to see or find them again. This open top file idea will work for those items however, use an open top elaborately decorated box clearly labeled "SAFE PLACE." Then place the box where you will see it and be reminded of it's permanence. ❤️🐧🩵
I love the simple detail of dating the files. I do well with more traditional filing cabinets or closed file boxes for storing things that only need occasional access or are just being saved for a required period of time like tax paperwork. But I’m very guilty of having my current/active piles become huge over time because I don’t have a good method for when to put older stuff away.
just found your channel. when those scanners came out that could also sort data into tracking excels - that's what they claimed -- I was sorely tempted. i'm thinking i might actually need one for receipts after all this time. today's paper is made for almost immediate fadeout. if the details aren't recorded within a week, i might as well not bother...
i'm all paper. otherwise, out of sight, out of mind. i use wire baskets, as plastic doesn't last long. i recently discovered a tracking one note i created in 2022 then forgot about after a couple of months when things got hectic. and i've lost two hard drives i hadn't finished backing up because it was "when i had the time" and i never made it a priority, so a few things were lost, some needed recreation.
Lovely presentation. You are empathetic, helpful,and way less gimmicky than many other perfectly lovely organizers. Some of us need that humanity and calm.
I couldn't have written a better comment myself. Thank you so much. This really means a lot. It's exactly how I hope to come across; I couldn't be anything else if I tried!
Like a desk with a file drawer. One shallow drawer is labeled ACTION and the second is the second is labeled TO FILE. Kinda like your system but inside drawers. I use my google calendar as a tickler file
I hate stuff on my desk, I have adhd but I’m also autistic so I don’t like visual clutter. I get a lot of demand avoidance and stress seeing items out that I want to put away. My system has been 2 document wallets for action and file. Anything else gets shredded or recycled when it comes in. I’m working on scanning in my long term storage items so that I don’t need physical clutter as most of my bills are already digital. When I get emails for bills there is no physical reminder so I put the item on my todo list. Every Thursday I make time to do my filing, if I have none I scan in a couple of things. Soon I’m going to put a magazine rack on the wall so my husband can see the categories and put his papers in. But the rack is opaque and the same colour as the wall so it will be minimal visual clutter.
Someone practical who understands us visual folks who forget what we put out of sight? Yay! This is the first of your videos I have seen, and I have subscribed and set up notifications. Can't wait to go back and see your other videos, esp. paper organization.
I do a mix of both paper and digital. What I don’t know how to deal with is the mound of charity mail I get. It all has my name and address so I don’t want to just toss it in the garbage. Sometimes I go on a shredding binge but in the meantime the pile sits on the floor. What to do on a daily basis?
I hear ya. I don't hesitate to throw my name and address in the trash - those are public and easy for anyone to find online, and by themselves, not risky for someone to have. I know some will disagree with me on this, but I'd hate for insistence on shredding those to slow down your paper decluttering.
As someone who works in IT security, I was prepared to not like this video, but you could totally put those small files away in a locked cabinet or safe when you are not working, so I don't really think it's that bad. But in general, things like financial statements should be locked up, as well as any confidential customer information.
Thanks for sharing. I've had a couple of clients who did put these exact boxes inside drawers. They fit perfectly, turning a drawer into its own modular system with units that can be pulled out and put back.
I like how you set up different boxes for different "hats" that one if your client wears. This is relatable as we homeschool and I feel this way in my own home. I have tried other methods, but I do think I'm an out of sight, out of mind person when it comes to paper. Not so much with ither things though. The open file boxes, with categories noted on front, could be a big help- thank you!!!
This is similar to Organize365's Friday Workbox (work) or Sunday Basket (private life) for active papers. In addition, it uses see-through color coded slash pockets for better mental processing. It's awesome that this system also works with simple manila folders and Amazon boxes! 💖 One box per hat is so important!
I can! If you're out of the DC/MD/VA area, I offer online consulting. You can add yourself to the waitlist on my site: www.theinspiredoffice.com/virtual
Just yesterday I filmed a video of my own "office" that is essentially my dining table and upstairs closet. It's tough to make it all fit - beautifully, but it's possible. We have 1000 sq ft. Stay tuned - you'll find that video helpful!
