Organizing Tip - Handling the “May Need it Someday” Paperwork Pile

.  Select the time periods you think best for you. Here's an example: you select four time periods; they are Week, Month, Six Months and One Year. Label one file folder for each time period.If you have an item you think may be needed in the future, but its useful life is no more than a week. Write the date on it for one week, hence, and place it in the back of the folder labeled "Week." Each week, start at the front of the Week file and throw away items more than a week old for which no action will be taken. Follow parallel practices for items you choose to save in the Month, Six Months and One Year tickler files. Just be sure to purge the files weekly, monthly, etc. Otherwise, they clog the files; and you have gained nothing.If you don't purge these files you'll be creating the same frustration that comes from having piles and files all over your desk and having cluttered computer files and folders that have buried in them, someplace, the things you "may need someday." Of course, you'll continue to be frustrated because you won't be able to find them when you need them.  Purging these tickler files is not difficult. If you save only useful items that you "may need," there is not likely to be more than three or four items in the Week file, a few more in the Month file, etc. If you make rational decisions about what to save in these tickler folders, there is no justification for using the "then I have to purge them" as an excuse for not gaining control of those items you "may need someday," but can't find when you need them.It is not a sin to have poor Time Management skills and habits,but it is to keep them.Time Management tips on improving how you handle your paperwork and e-documents are among the hundreds of self improvement tips available from Dr. Larry Baker.  To assess your current Time Management skills and habits and improve your opportunities for larger salary increases, promotions and greater success, go to:www.manage-time-better.com