Last issue I asked if you had organizing tips or resources for taming the Paper Beast. I try. I really do... but this beast keeps coming back to haunt me.

Here are some responses with specific tips. Thanks to all!

Don't print out

"I have a very simple answer: Don't create more paper! I print out documents only when I have to. Plus, all handwritten notes I take on notepads I transcribe into electronic form, and keep the handwritten version as backup only if essential. Any paper docs I don't need to keep I tear up or shred and put into recycling.

Digression: In my case, I *have* to transcribe handwritten notes because my handwriting is, uh, kinda horrific. So if I don't type 'em out I risk not being able to read it later. :-)"

- Mike O'Sullivan from San Francisco


Organizing software

AZZ Cardfile was suggested by John Thompson in the UK

David Allen's Getting Things Done

No list of organizing resources would be complete without this one. I think my daughter's boyfriend has my copy. M--- , are you listening?! I need it back! - DW


"David Allen's Getting Things Done gets my vote for productivity and dealing with that pile of stuff. I'm still learning to apply it consistently but it makes life easier by forcing me to decide what I'm going to do about my stuff."

- Jay Griffin from Albania


The papers on your desk that need to be paper

"I've found a great solution (courtesy of David Allen's book) for conference brochures, benefit enrollment forms, copies made for a specific meeting in advance, etc.  It's especially good for storing stuff that you only have in paper format.

I've created a set of folders in one of my filing cabinets.  One color has each month of the year and another color has days 1-31.  Each day before I leave I check my folder for the next day.  I then have the papers I need for the next day's events right at my fingertips.  And, I move that day to the next month."

- Kirsten Jensen of North Dakota

Those magazines you just gotta keep

"I write on the front cover of the magazine which pages I thought were interesting and whyÖjust a word or two to remind me.

At the end of the year, I review the magazine article and decide whether it goes in a permanent file or just toss the whole thing.

Writing on the outside keeps me from flipping through looking at small post it notes and I can review a pile of magazines quickly. Hope this helps!"

- Mary Nokes of Virginia

 

Follow-up Thank You note after a job interview

This is not a "paper beast" tip per se but it's so good I didn't want to leave it out. - DW

"When you head off for that big job interview, have your thank you stationery (NOT a social note card with thank you on the front, but a business-like BLANK card with a conservative front design), the exact business address of the new company, a few stamps, and a well thought-out draft of your thank you letter in your briefcase. 

Directly after you emerge from the interview, with your prospective boss's business card in hand, sit down at a nearby coffee shop to write the thank you note(s) and pop it into a mailbox. 

Of course you'll need to tweak your draft to include details of the interview, but at least you'll have the shell of the thank you note prepared.  Absolutely build this important task into your schedule as part of the interview process."

-  Sandra Syrett, Program Manager, Direct Marketing for Siebel Systems

Holiday Header

How do you like the WordBiz holiday header above? (One of the 5 holiday publishing tips I offered in the last issue.) Yeah, I know it's not politically correct because not everybody celebrates Christmas.

But what the heck. I just love the Santa.

Write me at "debbie.weil@gmail.com" and tell me what you think.