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Paper’s Life Cycle

Beginning to End: Paper Organization

Much like other things in life. Paper has a life cycle. It isn’t meant to stay permanently and it does have a specific job for a short amount of time. When we treat paper as a family member or an antique piece of furniture that we won’t part with, it poses a problem. So let’s take a look at the cycle a little in detail.

Paper arrives. It comes through the mail, through our computer (hitting the print button too often), through backpacks, through purses and briefcases. We are the culprits. We are psychically bringing it in the door. Paper doesn’t just magically appear all over the floor, counter top or table. We hit the print button. We subscribe to papers, catalogs, magazines and newsletters. We also decide where to place it, dump it, or organize it. I know this sounds like I’m pointing fingers and a little harsh, but if you step back and look at the true paper trail there is some truth in this. Consider saving things in organized files on the computer instead of hitting the print button. Try putting a garbage can by the door. Pitch as much as possible before you let anymore in. Consider stopping subscriptions. Instead of stuffing paper in your bag, briefcase or purse all day, pitch it instead. Don’t bring it home. Choose to say enough is enough. I’m going to stop all the paper from arriving and entering my office or home. 

Paper stays. Decide what’s important. I think the main reason too much paper stays is a decision isn’t made. Make decisions. Decide to decide. What is absolutely essential to running this family, this business, or this office? Could you get the paper again from another source if you needed to? Can it be found online or stored electronically? If I haven’t taken action by now will I ever? If I need to research this again, will the research still be available to me? Nine times out of ten, most paper can be pitched. Sometimes people think that I have the magic answer to how long to keep paper. I don’t. I normally ask probing questions (like these above) to lead you to the answer. Finally, know your patterns and habits. I rarely keep menus or recipes because my tendency is to just jump online and search for what I need when I need it. If you have the same habit be aware of that. It will make it easier to get rid of the menus and old recipes. If you want to change some of old habits, great! Try something new and see how you like it. 

Paper leaves.  This is the most important part of the life cycle. If you think about it, there’s not many examples of paper we need to keep forever. Most paper has a deadline, expiration, and date range to indicate if it needs saving. The few examples paper would stay forever would be a passport, birth certificate, adoption papers, marriage certificate, death certificate, and deed to a home. Insurance policies all have end dates. Nothing else is too critical. It’s interesting that when we have a major life change or life event, that’s the important stuff. The day to day doesn’t make the cut. So I leave you will a challenge to get rid of as mush paper as possible. Streamline your drawers. Ditch the piles, throw out the old and dated. 

Good luck! Happy Organizing! 

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