I wish I was better organized. I love organization. I hate clutter. I try to file things in a way that makes them easy to find again and I consistently fail. And not just with paper either. I have a hard time finding things on my laptop, too. I’m constantly doing searches and hoping that the keyword I picked is actually somewhere in the file.
I’ve tried to read books on organization–not many, just a few. Nothing has been implemented, though, because nothing I’ve read seems to fit my style. If that makes sense. It’s like reading a book on writing and knowing something isn’t going to work for you. Like 3×5 cards. I tried to use index cards, and to this day, I shudder in horror when I see them. I’m not a plotter and plotter tips aren’t going to work for me. So how do I find an organization method that will work for me?
I suppose I could read more books, but I have so much else that I want to read more. Like fiction and research books for projects I’m writing. I can’t afford to hire someone to come in and organize me, and even if I did, what if they organized me in a way I couldn’t keep up?
So I’m left with an office and file drawers that are in shambles. I can’t find anything. It’s frustrating and it wastes time. How do you find an organization method that works without reading ninety different books first? Why didn’t the organizational methods I read about work for me? Is it because I’m a pantser kind of person and these were plotter kinds of methods?
And don’t even get me started on computer organization. I must have every free program (and some paid programs available) and I don’t use any of them because my current method is easier for me. It’s not efficient and I never get old files deleted, but I can usually find things for the Work In Progress. It’s the older books where finding things becomes a problem and if the file isn’t writing related at all, well, that’s nearly impossible because the location options are nearly endless. How do other people stay organized?
Tags: organization
Patti,
Being organized is such a personalized thing. I don't know about you, but when I read books about, I just feel guilty for not doing it.
But here is what I do in case some of it works for you.
I try to keep it as simple as possible. Each work has it's own file, any agent/editor coorespondence regarding that work and marketing info goes into that file too. My computer files usually have tons of subfiles. But everything about that book is in there somewhere. : )
I have lots of physical files too. For bills, I have 12 hanging files for the months of the year, one for taxes and one for medical reciepts. In December, I go through it, file or shred.
I two file cabinets. One for things I need to keep but not access often (warrenties, instruction manuals). Another for things I'll need to access (school or financial information). I also have one slot for bills to be paid and a basket I call the inbox but is really a 'I don't know what to do with this yet' basket.
It's not perfect but it works for me… most of the time. ; )
Getting Things Done (GTD) by David Allen works for a lot of people. Here's a good intro for it
http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/08/getting-started-with-getting-things-done
Also, Zen to Done, which is a shorter version of the same technique is also well regarded
http://zenhabits.net/2007/04/zen-to-done-ztd-the-ultimate-simple-productivity-system/
I use some of the GTD ideas. They work pretty well for me
Joann
If you ever figure it out please tell me, I am definitely not organized.
Shawna,
I do some of what you do already. Each book has its own folder and I do have folders for all my bills. Of course, I have a box that I put all the bills in to be filed after they're paid and that's one of the places where I run into trouble. I hate filing.
I also do a manila envelope for receipts for the year. The only ones that go in there are ones I can shred when the proper time period is up. (I write that in black magic marker on the front.)
I do like simple and you're right, organizing is pretty personal. Thanks for your suggestions!
Patti
Thank you, Joann! I'm going to check out those links as soon as I finish replying to comments.
Patti
Joyce, Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever find a system that works for me. Sigh. I really hate filing, but I like finding stuff again.
Patti