How to Reduce Paperwork

Papers can pile up quickly, leaving your desk cluttered and you feeling overwhelmed. Reduce paperwork in the office with the following tips.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Address Books
• Electronic Personal Organizers
• File Cabinets
• Garbage Cans
• Bulletin Boards
• Envelopes
• File Folders
• Folders
• Paper And Binder Clips
• Personal Organizers

1. Try to handle incoming letters, memos and notes immediately; don't toss them to the side and assume you will look at them later.
2. Deal with a piece of paper only once. Once you pick up a piece of paper, do something to help you get rid of it: Take the necessary action or copy information to the appropriate place, then throw the paper away. (For example, if the memo contains a meeting date, copy it into your planner.)
3. File only what is essential. Review your files periodically and clean out the ones you no longer refer to.
4. Cancel subscriptions to magazines or journals you no longer read.

Tips & Warnings

• "Paperwork" can include virtual paperwork, such as e-mail messages. As with notes and memos, deal with the e-mail message right away. Copy down dates or numbers, then delete it.

Who Can Help:

• Earn an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's Degree from the University of Phoenix
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