Most of us are drowning in paper these days. For many of us, a large piece of the paperwork puzzle is the stuff that just keeps coming - the mail! Don't get me wrong, some mail is good, but if you're like most people, you get more mail than you need or want. If you don’t have a good way to manage and maintain it, it will just keep piling up. Here are some tips to make your mail maintenance quick and easy. - Make time everyday to open and read the mail.
- Open mail in one area with all your tools and supplies.
- Have a wastebasket and recycling bin nearby to toss unnecessary items immediately.
- Make decisions as you open the mail...
Scan the contents of each piece and process it appropriately. Immediately:
- Recycle/toss all unwanted solicitations.
- Recycle/toss the outside envelope and inserts that come with every bill.
- Scan each catalog and if nothing interests you, recycle it.
Take the remaining pieces and sort into the following categories:
- To Pay
- To Do
- To File
- To Read
A desk top file is a great way to contain your follow up categories - just be sure to regularly set aside time to take the follow up action. Take time each day to maintain your system and you’ll never be drowning in paper again!
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