paper, paper, paper

Do you feel like you are drowning in paper? It is the start of a New Year, you can start fresh and get your paper under control. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

• Make a decision with each piece of paperwork that goes through your hands. Do not put papers into a pile and say you will deal with it later. Decide to do something with it right away and take some sort of action whether it is to read it, pay it, file it, do it or toss it.
• As part of your daily schedule, set aside a certain amount of time to process paperwork. Open and sort mail every day. Immediately recycle anything you do not need. Handle all important documents in one designated area. Divide the papers into main categories of action, such as 'Read,' 'Pay,' 'File' or 'Do.'
• It is common to file papers that are never going to be looked at again. Before you file anything, ask yourself one question, 'Do I really need to keep this document?'
• If you have a large amount of paper piled up, you do not have to tackle it all at once. Do it in sections taking baby steps. Once you start and continue to work on your piles, you will see results. It just takes that first step. Once you have the paper pile ups banished, regularly manage and act on all paperwork to maintain order. Make it a habit--then it will become second nature.