Thanks for all this inspiration! It's helpful to see these examples of how to approach a backlog of paper.
@KacyPaideАй бұрын
You're most welcome. I think the best way to teach is through real life examples - and I've got lots of them!
@7173792 ай бұрын
A lot of people have to press pause when required to think of something. So, minimising reflection from a tidying process helps you move forward rapidly. I play some heavy metal and get to work as if I was a low paid desinterested employee in a sorting office 😃
@KacyPaideАй бұрын
Thanks for watching! I've had a number of clients who need background music or tv in order to stay focused.
@caranwysong30652 ай бұрын
I have a file box system. One is for my son. This one has numbered files and the contents of each file are listed on a long sticky note on the front of the box. I have one for my mom's estate, one for my brother's trust, one for myself & my husband, & one for my volunteer work. I'm working on a remodeling project so I use a large binder with plastic sleeves so I can insert things like contracts, paint sample colors, bids, & that kind of thing. I can carry it with me to the job site. I tend to have a paper pile but I try to sit down and put things into the big categories frequently. I use a monthly paper calendar with a sidebar. In the side bar, I write and check off bills that need to be paid. I write down when home and car insurance is due a month in advance. It's really a simple system. My favorite file of all time is the "Time will Tell" file for things I think I might want to keep or think about later. I go through that periodically and purge.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
I absolutely love the "time will tell" label. I could see this working for a lot of my clients. Thanks for sharing!
@lcrowder87622 ай бұрын
Ummm, I hope watching all your videos doesn’t tank your account, but ma’am you are speaking to me!
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
I appreciate it so much! It will only help my channel. Glad you're finding the videos helpful. There are some pretty good "oldies but goodies."
@YamilBaez2 ай бұрын
this super helpful and it is great that you are supporting ADHD needs and acknowledging that there's still lots of paper in our lives especially if we are wary of having everything be "digital"
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Yes indeed! Most of my clients are ADHD. Everything I've learned about it I've learned "in the field." What works for ADHD folks works for many of us.
@lesw38032 ай бұрын
i was advised by 2 government auditors from different organizations to have paper for every record. They have not gone digital and don’t recommend relying on digital files as they have seen many digital file failures.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing!
@madeleine11382 ай бұрын
No file folders for me. Just open boxes for all medical, bills, file 2024, shred, recycle, paper/notebooks, stationary items etc. Glad your files work for you.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
I've had a number of clients who don't like files! It's a creative challenge that we always solve.
@pamelafowler44062 ай бұрын
I found your information kind and helpful
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
I appreciate hearing that. Thank you!
@RayPerkins012 ай бұрын
I have enjoyed considerable success in my life and I am now semi-retired, I also consult on personal organization. For 25 years, I have used an empty desk system. To be productive, you have to manage distractions. Your desk is NOT for storage. It must only contain things needed for your current task. I have four boxes beside my desk: My Inbox (stuff I haven’t looked at yet), Pending (work in progress) a Waste Paper Bin and, most importantly, a Slush Box. This contains anything and everything I MIGHT need to refer back to) .95% of the clutter ends up here. If you take 30 seconds to dump your desk clutter in here, You have a clear desk immediately, you will also improve access to the clutter, since you can now search the box of clutter from top to bottom in a systematic fashion. On the very rare occasions I need to dip into the slush box, I quickly go through its contents transferring 99.9% to the Waste Paper Bin. The insight behind this process is that few things (including most bits of paper) are truly important, the rest is rubbish. I use a single notebook for everything and avoid the distraction of my computer by only opening my laptop when I need to do something with it. I do have a physical filing system, which contains genuinely important documents, (contracts, agreements, legal etc.). The rule here is “Don’t put it down, put it away”. I DON’T have a box for documents to be filed. My approach to computer files and email, mirrors the process for paper, with one important difference. Because of the power of a computer’s search capability, I have single folders labeled Archive, where I dump everything that isn’t deleted. It’s impossible to miss-file anything, and it is quick and easy to find everything.
@EileeneChappelle2 ай бұрын
Would like more info on examples of file categories for home office and digital file organizing
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Great idea for a short video (and I need short video ideas)!
@MaKuz31402 ай бұрын
Binders or files? Would you please offer any insights if there are reasons to use one or the other? I’ve always used file folders /hanging folders, but there was a moment when I thought it might be good to use binders based on Lisa Woodward’s system, organized 365. I really tried to give it a go. I went back to file folders and folders, I couldn’t figure it out.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
I met Lisa Woodward once! Love her. I've found that binders don't work for most of my clients. If binders are in any way already working (and I mean, really working), then we run with it. If not, then I never encourage someone to become a binder person. I think they're good in theory, but in practice can be too fussy.
@dragon64142 ай бұрын
Paper person here! Thank you so much for standing up for us! Great video great information highly recommend
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
You're welcome! There are lots of paper people out there and I'm happy to help them.
@nadinehansen92412 ай бұрын
I have boxes and boxes and boxes of papers--and that's the stuff I already decluttered. I need to learn how to not be a paper hoarder.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
It IS learnable. They don't teach this in school, but new practices can be learned and maintained - with practice. Thanks for stopping by.
@debdrezlyons83532 ай бұрын
It seems like a great MANAGEABLE idea! I’m going out to buy open file boxes today. Thank you!😊 liked and subscribed
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Thanks for the sub! Enjoy those new file boxes. Glad I could help.
@Dr.JulieJames2 ай бұрын
In our office, all my important papers are hard copy, as I am not tech savvy and do not trust my computer to not crash and recover all my papers.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
At the end of the day you have to make decisions that will let you sleep well at night. Though I'm fairly paperless, I'm the 1st to recognize that not everyone should be!
@Dr.JulieJames2 ай бұрын
20 years ago when I started dating my husband, a private one-man natural doctor with a small practice; and a small church minister: his kitchen table was a pile of client papers. So on the weekends when I would hang out with him waiting for him to be done with his Sat clients I would file for him and over time I became important to his practice. He asked me to move in with him after dating for about 3 months and began to take on more tasks he needed help with. We married 1 year later and I stopped working outside of the home. Today, we operate a 4000-member church and thriving natural medicine college. I applied all the knowledge I had learned in the 10 years of working in administration, reception, and filing. At the time, I was working as a temporary office worker because I was really into travel and being single. I took on the challenge to support his life plan and together we have prospered even more as a team. This was the best decision I have ever made being bored and choosing to file rather than sit around doing nothing or complaining about how busy he was and then saying yes to marrying him..Thats my lemonade story that God gave me.
@maraenea84562 ай бұрын
Yes! Thank you for your simple systems! As a teacher, who, at the beginning of the pandemic, had to quickly pack up, move our classroom to my bedroom (yes, my bedroom!!!) and start teaching remotely all within a couple of days….and who has since taught four different grade levels, I have been paralyzed by paper (as well as digital documents, drives, and accounts) that “I might need again someday.” In addition over the past two years, I have downsized my parents and my mother in law from their respective 45+ year homes. Needless to say, I am completely drowning in stuff!!! Thank you, thank you for helping me take simple steps to regain control!!! 😩🤪🤷🏻♀️😅
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Oh my goodness, life has thrown a lot at you. Any one of those is a lot to bear. I hope you'll find a path forward through some of these videos.
@molo86572 ай бұрын
Florida schools are starting up in August. Would it be possible provide organizing inventory & systems for both students and teachers? Thank you! ❤
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
I've worked with teachers before. What types of inventory are you thinking about?
@maryjemin20272 ай бұрын
Thank you👏👏👍👍👍
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
You are very welcome. Thanks for watching.
@WendyMcAllister2 ай бұрын
Great job, Kacy! So nice coming across this video of you and your mom! It’s Inspiring me to do some decluttering!!🤓
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Hey, Wendy! So nice seeing your name here. Just a few weeks ago my mom finally got a laptop, so this little work station will just become storage. It's time for another makeover...
@src44092 ай бұрын
Yes, but what happens when you have someone who will just drop the paper in the desk even when there's a solution on the desk?
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
That's frustrating and I see it all the time!
@cajunwifelife7302 ай бұрын
I have a hanging file folder holder on my desk dated and use it as a tickle file. I got the idea from my boss who somehow does this through email but I couldn't get it to work until I put it in paper form.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
I get it. Digital to paper can get lost in translation. Nice!
@sarahyip28252 ай бұрын
I think part of the organising process is NOT doing it alone! Exactly why we have failed every time previously. Getting someone's observations and emotional support in such a major task is the key to even starting. Someone being there with us down on all fours sorting out our lives-the very missing link! And here you are in these videos giving us the virtual emotional support and the great tips to help us start again on the journey. You are doing a great service being our external pair of kindly eyes journeying right beside us. Thank you! ❤
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
That warms my heart! You've really captured the essence of the work. I have a lot of good ideas and technical know-how, but I agree that the most valuable asset is focus and support. More than giving advice, I sit with people as they generate their own best ideas that never would have happened on their own. Thank you.
@snarks40872 ай бұрын
Even though this is now four years ago. I specifically needed this paper system. My now ex husband left us two and half three years ago. If I did not have this system I would not have been able to track anything that he had digitally. So ladies. You need this and you need to know the bills and account numbers and make sure you know that you are allowed to be authorized to even talk to collectors on the phone or you are sunk. Paperless is great but in my situation and now it’s at an end. I will always have this system forever. Also, for in the future if anything was ever to happen to me? My kids or family can go to this system to see right away where and how everything is set incase that need to know what bills were paid or due etc. still “old school” method is the best for all circumstances. Good luck.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing! This older video is still in my top 3 favorites. It's so custom, but born out of some universal problems.
@Kate987552 ай бұрын
i have been working from home since 2016. i used to have a print this file for when i went into the office…but as others turned to digital I could start submitting digitally….so i don’t ever go into the office now. to print/save i use One Note….it’s my filing cabinet….it is faster finding documents than any filing cabinet. i have one tab for notes/ to do’s ….but tracking to do’s have those in the project folder because they’re long term timeline notes. i have a large index card for each program with quick check information….but the same is on One Note and I find myself looking there, because to edit i can type instead of starting over a new index card…. i’ve really broken the paper habit….except i still use a paper planner because i need the calendar in front of me.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing. Personally, I rely heavily on Evernote (similar to One Note), but that's another video for another time! Yes, these digital places lifesavers. Couldn't go an hour without it.
@BB-mo1ms2 ай бұрын
Im so glad your video came up recommended. Over the years, attempting to keep paper clutter from becoming an out of control headache, I've naturally come up with this solution being the one to solve my issue. Started with a pile in the kitchen, (the office is on the other side of our home) then a few file folders. Then I realized I need a whole file box right there. Been putting it off because I wasn't sure how to execute it. Now I have the tools I need. Thank you.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
You're welcome. I've used these many time in kitchens! Good to put the solution exactly where the problem sits.
@dianekuzdas70132 ай бұрын
In babies and toddlers it is called object permanence. For adults, out of sight, out of mind is a very good way to put it. Does anyone have a problem with putting things like gift cards, birthday presents, that perfect anniversary gift for your spouse in a "SAFE PLACE" never to see or find them again. This open top file idea will work for those items however, use an open top elaborately decorated box clearly labeled "SAFE PLACE." Then place the box where you will see it and be reminded of it's permanence. ❤️🐧🩵
@dawnriddle-knowlton99322 ай бұрын
Excellent!! I will use one of these very soon! ZSimple, logical, and inductive methods.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
@DayanaPatterson2 ай бұрын
The open top box is a great way to keep loose papers. Notice that files aren’t in alphabetical order, which would make items easier to find.
@shannaandersonzongo81282 ай бұрын
I love the simple detail of dating the files. I do well with more traditional filing cabinets or closed file boxes for storing things that only need occasional access or are just being saved for a required period of time like tax paperwork. But I’m very guilty of having my current/active piles become huge over time because I don’t have a good method for when to put older stuff away.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Dating the files makes a world of difference!
@wafaaelmenayer62712 ай бұрын
Thank you very helpful
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
You're welcome!
@outinarizona2 ай бұрын
I'm loving the Keep section - I have a few things that need these piles. i didn't know quite how to sort them before i org'd them. now i do.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Wonderful to hear. Good luck with it!
@outinarizona2 ай бұрын
just found your channel. when those scanners came out that could also sort data into tracking excels - that's what they claimed -- I was sorely tempted. i'm thinking i might actually need one for receipts after all this time. today's paper is made for almost immediate fadeout. if the details aren't recorded within a week, i might as well not bother...
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Glad you found this oldie but goodie video.
@outinarizona2 ай бұрын
i'm all paper. otherwise, out of sight, out of mind. i use wire baskets, as plastic doesn't last long. i recently discovered a tracking one note i created in 2022 then forgot about after a couple of months when things got hectic. and i've lost two hard drives i hadn't finished backing up because it was "when i had the time" and i never made it a priority, so a few things were lost, some needed recreation.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Most of my clients are all paper - or at least 75% paper. I want to honor my paper people with this channel!
@stormyswann61772 ай бұрын
2 minutes in and I am excited!!!! I know this is going to work for me.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Awww. This is nice to read. Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad I could help.
@VixSy3332 ай бұрын
Lovely presentation. You are empathetic, helpful,and way less gimmicky than many other perfectly lovely organizers. Some of us need that humanity and calm.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
I couldn't have written a better comment myself. Thank you so much. This really means a lot. It's exactly how I hope to come across; I couldn't be anything else if I tried!
@shannondwells80572 ай бұрын
I still have my original old school Dominoes 😂 Thanks for inspiration
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
That's crazy! I love it! I'm so glad they have current issues on Apple News now, but it's only quarterly.
@dazzleree3 ай бұрын
Great tip! A simple file box can really make a big difference in staying organized. 📂
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Yes it does!
@galejohnson80863 ай бұрын
Like a desk with a file drawer. One shallow drawer is labeled ACTION and the second is the second is labeled TO FILE. Kinda like your system but inside drawers. I use my google calendar as a tickler file
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
I like this. I'd probably use drawers similarly if I had them. For most of my clients though, drawers are black holes.
@ArtyAntics3 ай бұрын
I hate stuff on my desk, I have adhd but I’m also autistic so I don’t like visual clutter. I get a lot of demand avoidance and stress seeing items out that I want to put away. My system has been 2 document wallets for action and file. Anything else gets shredded or recycled when it comes in. I’m working on scanning in my long term storage items so that I don’t need physical clutter as most of my bills are already digital. When I get emails for bills there is no physical reminder so I put the item on my todo list. Every Thursday I make time to do my filing, if I have none I scan in a couple of things. Soon I’m going to put a magazine rack on the wall so my husband can see the categories and put his papers in. But the rack is opaque and the same colour as the wall so it will be minimal visual clutter.
@KacyPaide2 ай бұрын
Nice! Sounds like you have a well-oiled system. I've done similar systems to your magazine rack for couples who need to pass things between them.
@GoogleUser-wx8mw3 ай бұрын
Thank you for these practical suggestions.
@KacyPaide3 ай бұрын
You're welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
@GoogleUser-wx8mw3 ай бұрын
Someone practical who understands us visual folks who forget what we put out of sight? Yay! This is the first of your videos I have seen, and I have subscribed and set up notifications. Can't wait to go back and see your other videos, esp. paper organization.
@KacyPaide3 ай бұрын
I appreciate that. It comes with LOTS of experience. Feels good to share it.
@Bandaid173 ай бұрын
I do a mix of both paper and digital. What I don’t know how to deal with is the mound of charity mail I get. It all has my name and address so I don’t want to just toss it in the garbage. Sometimes I go on a shredding binge but in the meantime the pile sits on the floor. What to do on a daily basis?
@KacyPaide3 ай бұрын
I hear ya. I don't hesitate to throw my name and address in the trash - those are public and easy for anyone to find online, and by themselves, not risky for someone to have. I know some will disagree with me on this, but I'd hate for insistence on shredding those to slow down your paper decluttering.
@JuanPerez-kq4wi2 ай бұрын
I got a great item on Temu like a rubber stamp but it blacks out your name & address. Saves a lot of shredding. You can even get an ink refill.
@janelagerquist4543 ай бұрын
Actually, the advice is so helpful. Ikea is limited on filing options .. but the boxes on bookcases are so doable. Thankyou. I can overlook the music.
@KacyPaide3 ай бұрын
Happy to see you found this oldie-but-goodie video! My love for these boxes is still strong.
@mc48033 ай бұрын
Muchas Gracias! Yo tengo ese problema “out of sight out of mind”
@KacyPaide3 ай бұрын
You're welcome! Most of the advice you'll find here on my channel is for "out of sight out of mind." Thanks for commenting!
@kf14393 ай бұрын
As someone who works in IT security, I was prepared to not like this video, but you could totally put those small files away in a locked cabinet or safe when you are not working, so I don't really think it's that bad. But in general, things like financial statements should be locked up, as well as any confidential customer information.
@KacyPaide3 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing. I've had a couple of clients who did put these exact boxes inside drawers. They fit perfectly, turning a drawer into its own modular system with units that can be pulled out and put back.
@MichelleL833 ай бұрын
I like how you set up different boxes for different "hats" that one if your client wears. This is relatable as we homeschool and I feel this way in my own home. I have tried other methods, but I do think I'm an out of sight, out of mind person when it comes to paper. Not so much with ither things though. The open file boxes, with categories noted on front, could be a big help- thank you!!!
@KacyPaide3 ай бұрын
Thank you. The "hats" concept was all hers! I use it all the time with clients now.
@janego20183 ай бұрын
This is similar to Organize365's Friday Workbox (work) or Sunday Basket (private life) for active papers. In addition, it uses see-through color coded slash pockets for better mental processing. It's awesome that this system also works with simple manila folders and Amazon boxes! 💖 One box per hat is so important!
@MsTemporaryMadness3 ай бұрын
Will you help me in my studio?
@KacyPaide3 ай бұрын
I can! If you're out of the DC/MD/VA area, I offer online consulting. You can add yourself to the waitlist on my site: www.theinspiredoffice.com/virtual