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Create a Customized Office/Household Command
Center
There are two parts to a good tickler
file system
One part is the dated accordion file
and the other consists of individual yellow hanging folders
labeled for your repetitive actions. For the individual hanging
folders go through a recently created pile of paper and mail
that you need to take action on but don't know where
to put them. This will help you recognize the action files
you need. Label each with the verb that describes the action
required. For example:
To
Do Now
This should be a red folder right behind the Tickler
File. You cannot go to bed or leave the office until this
is empty! |
Calendar
Entry
Items that need to be entered into your calendar.
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Call
Store phone messages until you return them. |
Church
If you are active in a church put items here to bring
on Sunday, prayer lists, etc. |
Coupons
Pizza, restaurant menus, etc. |
Data
Entry
Items to be entered in to the computer. |
Errands
File to hold shopping lists and items you need to get
and then make one trip. |
Family/Business
Associates
Have a file for each family member or at work a file for
each person you deal with on a regular basis. Put items
in this file you want to discuss with them. |
Online
Websites you want to visit, e-mails to read. |
Order
Keep confirmations of orders here until it comes/things
you want to order. |
Read
Items you want to read later. Take this folder when you
go on a trip or to the doctor. |
Receipts
Keep receipts for clothing and other items you aren't
sure that you'll keep. Go through this monthly.
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School
Have a folder for each school your children attend. Can
keep class lists, school schedule, etc. |
| Take
Home/Take Office |
To
File
Papers that you’ll file later |
To
Pay
Put bills until they are put in correct date in tickler
file and paid. |
Waiting
on Response
Items you're waiting to hear back from someone.
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| Write |
It's important to use the Tickler File as much as possible
and the labeled file folders for items that don't need
to be done by a certain date.
There are two things to do when you've created
your Tickler File system
Put things in and take things out – DAILY! When you
go through your papers think of the F.A.T. principle - FILE
it away for future reference, ACT on it now or later (if later,
put it in your tickler file), or TOSS it.
Decide on a specific time of day
to check your Tickler File
Either the first thing in the morning or the night before.
To help start this new habits write "CHECK TICKLER"
in your day planner at the time you've decided to it
every day for 21 days. Eventually it will become second nature
and you won't need to remind yourself.
Keep your system in a desk drawer
or more visible on your desktop
I have mine in a file frame box set on my desk. This makes
it easier to remember to check it and to put things in and
take them out. Put the Tickler File inside the front of the
file frame box and the individual labeled folders behind it.
The Tickler File is where you put
paper you need to take action on in the future
If you need to write a letter on the third, you put a note
to yourself in the space behind the number three. If there
is a paper you need to act on in a future month, you file
that behind that month. When that month comes around you look
through the papers and decide what day you want to act on
it, and file accordingly behind the number for the date.
Elizabeth Hagen
Professional Organizer/Speaker
605.357.8767
Elizabeth Hagen is a professional organizer/speaker who loves
to help others get organized and will help you Establish Excellence
in your Environment.
Contact her at elizabeth@elizabethhagen.com
or visit her website at http://www.elizabethhagen.com
and learn how you can find anything in 5 seconds or less...guaranteed!
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