If a group of 100 people were asked, "If you had the time, are there papers in your files that you could comfortably toss out?" how may do you think would answer yes? In my experience - 99 people would say "Yes." But who goes into the office and thinks, "OK, today I don't have anything better to do. I'm going to clean out the files?" Not only that, but if you do start to clean them out, someone will undoubtedly give you a look that says "Don't you have anything more important to do than that?!"
Well, consider this! Research shows that 80% of what we file we never use, and the average worker spends 150 hours per year looking for misplaced information. Cleaning out the files will save time and money. And there's no better time to do it than just before a move.
One of our clients was preparing to move his staff of 12. In preparation for the move, we held a "File Clean-Out Day". At the end of the day, the commercial dumpster was three-quarters full. Another client with a staff of 65 contributed over 11,000 pounds to the local recycling company!
Many companies have held "clean-up days" in the past with little success. If you need some assistance in a move or for a "clean- up/filing day", a Paper Tiger Authorized Consultant can help you in four ways:
1) Pre-Day Preparation Make lists of files that will be purged. Decide who will clean out specific files and areas. Arrange the office space for easier "cleaning", set up trash bags, make a box for undetermined items and get all your organizing supplies together, plus much more!
2) Art of Wastebasketry? Seminar Teach you the FAT system (file it, act on it, toss it). You will learn how to overcome your fear of throwing things away. Identify what is important and what isn't. Label, re-arrange, and get organized.
3) Moving Day On-Site Activities Guide you during the whole organizing process. Keep you motivated and help you make those tough decisions. Teach you how easy "taming the paper tiger" can be with The Paper Tiger Software.
4) Follow-Up Activities Keep you organized! Maintain your files. Learn how to make time each day to clean off the clutter. Create new organizational habits that will remain with you at work and at home.
Being disorganized is a fact of life. You can choose to live with it or make your life (and every one around you) happier by living without it. Not only will "taking out the trash" give you more space and save you time, but it will actually help you drop unnecessary stress from your life! It's not such a tough choice after all. Give us a call we can help.
© 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 |
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