Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

 

The Art of Wastebasketry


Are your filing cabinets stuffed so full that it's difficult to retrieve and file papers? If you're like 80% of the people in the audiences to whom I speak, your answer is "Yes." "Are there things in your filing cabinet you could probably throw out?" Most once again answer "Yes." So what's the problem?

Certainly a major stumbling block is time. Some may say cleaning out the filing cabinet won't make you money. My response is "Really?" Research shows the average person spends 150 hours each year looking for misplaced information. What would happen to your bottom line if you added that time to getting new customers or selling new products or services to old customers?

Frequently people say to me "It never fails. Every time I throw out something, I need it the next day." To which I reply, "Can you give me an example?" Mostly I get silence. Determine whether you want to keep each piece of paper at all by asking yourself these "Art of Wastebasketry?" questions:

1. Does this require any action on my part? Just because you receive information-even if it's from your boss-doesn't mean you need to keep it! If it doesn't require action, file it or toss it right away! If it's just an FYI, read it and toss.

2. Does this exist elsewhere? Is it in the library? Do you know an expert on the subject who'd be certain to have more complete information if you really needed it? Is the original filed elsewhere? Is it necessary to keep a hard copy if it already exists in the computer?

3. Is this information recent enough to be useful? Today, information becomes outdated very quickly. Would you want a customer to decide whether or not to choose your services based on a three-year-old brochure? The information in a 6-month-old magazine article about computer software has undoubtedly been superseded, as has a downloaded product review from an on-line service. In many cases, it is more appropriate to keep track of the source of the information, so you can get the latest version, rather than keeping the information itself.

4. Can I identify specific circumstances when I'd use this information? Usually, "just in case" is not good enough! Files labeled "Miscellaneous" are of little value, because there's nothing to trigger you to look there. If you can't identify how you'd use the information - at least well enough that you can file it for future reference, it's unlikely that you'd remember you have it, let alone be able to find it later.

5. Are there any tax or legal implications? Here's where "just in case" works. Unfortunately, we're frequently required to resurrect paper that we'd much rather have forgotten. Sometimes, having outdated information in your files can create unnecessary problems. A client of mine was sued. When the company's files were subpoenaed, the prosecuting attorney found my client's unsigned contract proposal, and used it to prove wrongful intent. My client lost the suit and had to pay $147,000. Had the files had been properly cleaned; I don't believe that would have happened.

If you answer "No" to all the above questions, but are still not comfortable throwing something away, ask one last question: 6. What is the worst possible thing that could happen if I didn't have this information?

If you can live with your answer, toss it - and live happily ever after. For years I have orchestrated "File Clean-Out Days" with companies. I used to live in fear that someone would come back to me afterward with a horror story of something we threw out, and they needed later. In 20 years, it's never happened!

Recently a woman told me that one of the big frustrations in her advertising company was staff spending time looking for materials from client projects years' prior. I suggested a plan. Why not establish a company policy that "We keep client materials for three years." At the end of each year, you send a letter to the client saying "We have the following materials from the project we did together. Our policy is to keep client materials for three years. If we don't hear from you in 60 days, the materials will be destroyed." What's the worst possible thing that could happen? Four possibilities than I can think of. (1) You won't waste valuable time looking for something that brings back nothing to the company, (2) Your policy makes you look very professional, or (3) Your letter reminds the client of your availability, and you get a new contract! Who says using your wastebasket doesn't make money? And (4), somebody somewhere probably has it anyway - in spite of our best efforts!

© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.ProductiveEnvironment.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Motivation - Google News

LONDON 2012: Ennis looks to use 'lost' personal best as extra motivation ahead ... - More Than The Games


More Than The Games

LONDON 2012: Ennis looks to use 'lost' personal best as extra motivation ahead ...
More Than The Games
By Barrie White & Sean-Paul Doran JESSICA Ennis plans to use the disappointment of having her 100m hurdle personal best struck off ahead as extra motivation ahead of competing in Austria next weekend. Ennis, 26, ran 12.75 seconds in winning at the ...

and more »

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: The three R's revisited at Hudson schools - Hudson Star Observer


Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: The three R's revisited at Hudson schools
Hudson Star Observer
The district's R3 program goals: education, motivation and practice of the three R's every day, everything, and everywhere. R3 team members include, seated on the front step from left, Savannah Havens, Ena Yang and Tristan Utecht; second row, ...

In defence of selective schools - The Australian


In defence of selective schools
The Australian
It is a place where like-minded students motivate and compete with each other to achieve personal and academic excellence. Most of them graduate to top-tier universities, both domestic and international. Internationally they represent they peak ...

Motivation problems can plague even the most willing runner - The Coloradoan


Motivation problems can plague even the most willing runner
The Coloradoan
They often are caused by losing motivation, becoming bored with running or overtraining. Sources of motivation are personal, and you have to find something that works for you. Tracking your progress in a training log, buying a new gadget, listening to ...

NCC professor gives personal photo to museum - Rocky Mount Telegram


NCC professor gives personal photo to museum
Rocky Mount Telegram
The photograph has another more recent connection to Nash Community College in that the motivation behind the founding of the museum, Edgecombe County native Henry H. Shelton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time, delivered the keynote ...

Naperville woman motivated to help families facing cancer - Naperville Sun


Naperville woman motivated to help families facing cancer
Naperville Sun
For Dodd, her participation is personal. “I have donated my career in honor of my grandmother who was a blood donor recipient,” she said. Dodd, marketing representative at Heartland Blood Centers in Aurora, has worked with several people struggling ...

and more »

Facebook IPO: Motivation for Advanced Degrees in Web Development & Business ... - College Classes


College Classes

Facebook IPO: Motivation for Advanced Degrees in Web Development & Business ...
College Classes
While the business has grown throughout the years, there's an obvious and evident entrepreneurial element that many observe with a degree of motivation. Watching Facebook thrive and grow to become the third largest IPO in history is remarkable.

Mentoring and motivation keys for figure competitor - Coast Reporter


Mentoring and motivation keys for figure competitor
Coast Reporter
... fitness, figure, bikini expo and physique championships in Bellevue, Wash with her mentor and personal trainer Charlene SanJenko. To be successful in life, whether it's in your job or a chosen sport, having a mentor to motivate you and push you to ...

10 Ways to Motivate Anyone - TIME


TIME

10 Ways to Motivate Anyone
TIME
Then offer them the right incentives–the ones that will impact their personal brain and personality types–to keep them mentally and emotionally invested in doing their best. It's impossible to talk about motivation without mentioning Drive, ...

and more »

How to Stay Motivated at Work - Fox Business


How to Stay Motivated at Work
Fox Business
Actively applying these personal strengths to your work is like having your own personal motivation engine." Heather Levin is a contributor for Money Crashers Personal Finance. She has a strong interest in careers, small business, and green living.

and more »

Click here for Best Buy In-Store Pickup

StreetSideAuto.com

Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?

My Life Through The Lens

NewsScape Domain Is For Sale - $3,500 For Enquiries eMail Us

© NewsScape.biz 2011

home | site map | links

eXTReMe Tracker