Getting Organized:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to get organized?
Organized people save time
and money and reduce stress and frustration levels. There is no one
right or wrong way to get organized. The amount of information
available to us continues to grow at a rapid pace, as do the number of
demands on our time. Organizing systems help you deal with everything
from your paper to your professional responsibilitIes and give you
parameters on what to keep, what to toss, and what to take action.
What is the best way to get organized?
Experts in the
organizing industry agree: there are no “cookie cutter” solutions.
There are many different personality types, work styles, and
environmental influences, so each person must find the system/s that
work best for him or her. The number of organization-related products
and services is continually increasing. Determine the areas in which
you want to improve, such as filing, clutter control, time management,
maximizing storage space, or juggling projects and priorities.
How long does it take to get organized?
Organization is a
process, not a state achieved in one day. Think about it as “being
organized” or “staying organized,” not “getting organized.” An organizing system can be set up in a few days. After that, the challenge is to
continuously maintain it and work on it one day at a time. The good news is, once you learn good
systems, habits, and tools, change becomes easier, as does bouncing back from an
unexpected detour or period of feeling overwhelmed.
How can I make better use of my time?
Time management is
a misleading term, since we cannot manage time. We can only manage
ourselves. The best we can do is make decisions about the priorities in
our lives, have our own personal and professional goals, and align our
activities to reach these goals. Review how you are spending your time
and make adjustments according to your goals and priorities.
How can I cut down on paper in my life?
Sincerely question whether you need to keep each piece of paper that
comes into your life. Make a habit of tossing unnecessary papers (shredding those that contain personal or financial information); scanning documents and storing them electronically when possible; canceling subscriptions to unread publications; and getting yourself removed from mailing lists. One effective way to reduce paper is to create a records retention schedule that specifies how long documents such as tax forms, bills, and financial statements should be kept.
Will there be a paperless society?
While there have been
great strides in the fields of document imaging and electronic data storage, it is generally assumed that the “paperless society” will exist far in
the future, if ever. Because some
technological devices make it easier than ever to generate
paper, however, some speculate that the amount of paper in our lives will
continue to increase in the near future.
How do I select a planner?
A planner is a tool for scheduling appointments, tracking action items, and managing contact information. There are many from which to select. The first step is to evaluate your needs and style: do you prefer a paper-based system or an electronic handheld organizer? Do you primarily need to manage a to-do list, or do you prefer the ability to take a lot of notes? How do you prefer to view your calendar: by day, week, or month? Whichever system you select, be sure to customize it.
What are some of the best computer organizing products?
Some of the best computer organizing products are the ones you already have—it’s just that many people don’t know their software programs’ capabilities. Invest a few hours learning some of the shortcuts and customizations available. Also, check out other time-saving devices such as personal information managers, handheld devices, scanning and electronic storage, online communications software, and electronic filing systems and schedulers.
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