Events     |  Contact Us     |     My Account     |     Checkout

Heart of The Matter Professional Organizing
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Gallery
  • SERVICES
    • OUR PACKAGES
    • Professional Organizing
    • Consultation Services
    • Teacher Organization
    • EVENTS
    • FAQs
  • Virtual Organizing NEW
  • BLOG
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Meet the Team
    • Our Gallery
  • SERVICES
    • OUR PACKAGES
    • Professional Organizing
    • Consultation Services
    • Teacher Organization
    • EVENTS
    • FAQs
  • Virtual Organizing NEW
  • BLOG

LATEST

POSTS & TUTORIALS
January 17, 2020  |  By Rhonda Erb

Paper overload?

Paper overload
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

I have designated January as my personal “paper month”.  Some of you are rolling your eyes and others are intrigued and want to hear more!  Call me crazy but I love paper. I know that a lot of you feel that paper is your worst enemy.  Some of you sense it multiplying every time you turn your back! Personally I am not ready to declare my home as a “paper free” zone yet!  Paper represents creativity and information to me. The key to enjoying paper is to have a custom system in place that works for you and your family.

In the month of January, I take the time to reflect about my paper systems and ask myself some of these questions: 

  • Are my systems working?
  • Where does my system break down?
  • Where are the piles of paper in my house?

We refer to these piles as “hot spots”.  January is the time of year when I go through my filing cabinets and purge/recycle/shred any unwanted paper. As I go through my files, I can also collect and set aside any documents needed for filing my annual tax return.  I can get two projects done in one!

Paper will bury us if we don’t have a system . . . 

The ultimate goal should be to handle paper only once!  Here is an acronym to help. You should pick one of four options when dealing with your paper:

R – Read

A – Act on

F – File

T- Toss


Let me explain each of these in more detail:

R- Read  Read the paper right way (then recycle or shred) or put it in a “to read” file folder so that you have those papers all together to read when you have some extra time.  This file folder can be brought along when you may have a couple of minutes of “waiting” time, for example, to a doctor’s appointment or when you are waiting to pick up a child from hockey.

A – Act on  Deal with the paper immediately.  For example if you receive an invitation or memo in regard to a meeting – mark it in your calendar, rsvp right away and recycle.

F – File  File it in your filing cabinet or in your “temporary paper” system.  One of our favourite catch phrases – “File it, don’t pile it!” Beware of this category – the statistic is we never look at 80% of what we file.

T – Toss  Please open your mail near a recycling bin and dispose of the envelope or junk mail immediately.

So remember, deal with paper once!!!  The statistic is that on average, we handle paper 9 times before we deal with it!

Another catch phrase – “Keep up or it will heap up!”

Today, I challenge you to grab a “hot spot” from your house and use RAFT to eliminate the pile completely!!

If you would benefit from some side by side help and encouragement then Heart of the Matter would love to be your success partners.  Mention this blog and get 15% off your project!

If you’ve enjoyed this content, please consider forwarding it on to a friend or giving us a review on google.  Caring is sharing, and we sincerely appreciate anytime you are able to share us with those you care about! 

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here so you don’t miss the next one.Follow us on:  Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Youtube |


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

To stay up to date on the latest events, news, tips and tricks from Heart of the Matter Professional Organizing.

Previous StorySix Secrets to Successful January Decluttering
Next StoryReading with Roxanne – Winter 2020

Related Articles

  • Screen Shot 2019-02-28 at 4.26.17 PM
    10 Roadblocks to Getting Organized
  • HOTM Virtual Organizing Session3
    Buy one, get one FREE is Back!!

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Subscribe to our Newsletter!

To stay up to date on the latest events, news, tips and tricks from Heart of the Matter Professional Organizing.

Follow Us

Follows
  • Facebook
    927 Followers
  • Twitter
    142 Followers
  • Instagram
    316 Followers

CALENDAR

April 2021
M T W T F S S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
« Mar    

ABOUT US

As we go about our daily work we are humbled by the lives that we are able to touch. Every client is a treasure and we truly enjoy our work days! Heart of the Matter is truly God’s ‘Work in Progress’

CATEGORIES

  • BLOG (160)

COME VISIT US

Let’s start talking about your project. Find out how we can help you reclaim your spaces.

If you have a question or just want to say hello. You can use our Contact Us page.

MORE ABOUT US

As we go about our daily work we are humbled by the lives that we are able to touch. Every client is a treasure and we truly enjoy our work days!

Heart of the Matter is truly God’s ‘Work in Progress’

Recent Blog Post

  • 10 Roadblocks to Getting Organized
  • Buy one, get one FREE is Back!!
  • True Confessions From Mama Bear’s Office
  • Reading with Roxanne – Winter 2020
Heart of The Matter Professional Organizing
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
  • SERVICES
  • OUR PACKAGES
  • BLOG
  • |
  • SHOP

© Heart Of The Matter Professional Organizing Inc. 2020 | All Rights Reserved | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This With Your Friends

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn

If our mission, passion, purpose & knowledge resonates with you, it would be our pleasure to come to your inbox once a week.  We bring no judgement, only the wish to partner with you on your journey. We look forward to connecting with you!

Warmly, 
​Donna & Rhonda

Your Privacy is protected.

x