Everything in Its Place

If you've ever struggled to find a piece of paper that you needed and then considered yourself hopelessly disorganized because you made a mess trying to find it, I have a question for you, "Why couldn't you find the piece of paper?"

Was the document misfiled?
Was it filed at all?

If paperwork is overwhelming you because it is piled in stacks throughout your home, does that paper clutter have a proper home?  By that, I mean, do you have labeled file folders that fit in a file box or drawer? 

This may seem like an obvious solution; but, if you don't have a place to put a piece of paper that you want to refer to again in the future, then you are missing an essential element to getting and (perhaps more important) staying organized. 

Start by getting a box of file folders and a cardboard box to temporarily store the files.  I say a cardboard box because you don't really know if you need a small bin or a four-drawer file cabinet.  Don't spend money on the wrong thing. 

Then, find and bring every piece of paper in your home into one room, on or near a single flat surface where you can work.

Next, pick up whatever piece of paper that happens to be sitting on top and ask if it is something that you would ever need to refer to again. 

If the answer is "no," toss the paper.  If the answer is, "yes," then take a folder and label it with the topic.  Specific is good; general is bad.  "My Town Credit Union; Checking" is better than "Bank Stuff."  Remember, a file folder is a place to hold paperwork that you want to find again quickly and easily. 

Never label a folder, "Miscellaneous."  Really, what would you put in there?  If you want to find it again, even if it is a single piece of paper or a half sheet of paper, give it a folder with a specific label. 

Keep going through each and every sheet of paper.  Eventually, you'll be able to file papers into file folders.  As you do, you are creating a file system that will work for you.

Although this is time consuming, it isn't a complicated task; but it can be overwhelming in the beginning and prevent you from seeing how you can start.  Just work your way through each sheet of paper and you'll find your own sense of organization.