Are you having trouble with your filing system? Don't know how to organize yourself and things are starting to pile up?
Here are 7 simple things you can do to improve your filing system:
- Try filing your documents into file folders, then put them into hanging file folders. This will prevent clutter, but don't put too many file folders in the hanging file folder, since it could break over time. If you really do have to put a lot of files in a folder, place a rubber band around the folder.
- Place your most current files in the front of each file folder, for easier access. This will also help you find information faster and help you be more organized.
- Try using colour tabs or colour file folders for different categories that you have.
- Make sure you file your file folders in alphabetical/chronological order, depending on what works for you.
- If your filing cabinet gets too full, take out the oldest files and store them in a box or even archive them off site (if you have this option). Make sure to label the box very clearly, so that when you need to go back to it, you can do it with ease.
- Put labels on your filing cabinet drawers, for easier access to certain information that you will be looking for. You don't want to spend time trying to figure out where you filed certain files.
- If you really want to get creative, you can put plastic tabs on the hanging file folders, with details of each section. You can even colour code them, depending on categories.
Follow these 7 easy steps and your filing become a breeze!
If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please feel free to click on the "comments" link below and leave some feedback.
Until next time,
Take care - of your clutter!
4 comments for this post
One of the things that helped me was to use a label maker to print the file folder labels. It just looks neater and more professional.
But I've never understood why a file folder should go inside the hanging folder. I've always just put the papers directly into the hanging folder.
Hi Linda,
That's a good idea as well. We actually use labels that we print up on our laser printer, instead of using a label maker.
If you have more than one file folder that you want to add to your hanging folder, it would be a good idea to use them. Also, if you don't want to spend money on more hanging folders, you can use more than one file folder inside of them.
Personally, I think it just looks neater.
Thanks,
Richard
Further to Linda's comment. The reason I put a file folder inside the hanging file folder is because I use these files and am continually removing them from the hanging file folder to bring it to my boss or to do work on the file myself. Therefore the hanging file folder is only a convenient place to put my file folder, not a file in itself.
It really depends on your company's needs. The only reason we have file folders within hanging file folders is that if we need to present files to a client or to a manager, we can take the entire file folder with that information to the client or manager. It just looks more professional.