Here are a few tips to finally take control of all of the types of papers that come into our lives.  There are 4 questions you need to ask yourself before starting to sort and purge papers.  First question:  What is this piece of paper?  Second:  Is it important?  Third:  Is it an action item or can I file it away?  And fourth and most important question:  What is the consequence if I did not have this piece of paper?

Once you have determined your answers to these questions about the piece of paper, then I want you to look at your desk and the papers on it.  Take a small stack of papers and put them in 3 categories:  File, action and toss or shred.  Place the papers that you want to file in a manila folder and label them (i.e. bank statements, utility bills, John’s 2013 school papers).

Then go and take care of the action papers that you set aside.  Make a phone call, send an email or set up an appointment.  Whatever it may be take action and finish the task that the sheet of paper required you to do.  Paperwork should NOT control your life, YOU do that so take back that control and finally see your desk again!