By Meggin McIntosh, “The Ph.D. of Productivity”™ and Paper Tiger Expert
Meggin also recommends Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management to get everything in your life organized — it’s not just for filing paper.
Do you use a tickler file (also known as a 1-31 file)? I hope so because this simple, but powerful organizational tool makes a measurable difference in your productivity and peace of mind. But, what if you have two offices?
Here’s a question you might have had:
“I’ve been the principal of a middle school for four years and with budget cuts, I’ve been asked to take on the high school, as well. I plan to be in both buildings, but know I’ll be in the high school more often. I’m looking forward to the challenge but….Here’s my question: What should I do for my “tickler” file? Should I bring it with me to the high school and not have one at the middle school OR keep two separate tickler files? Any thoughts and/or suggestions?” (besides saying “no” to taking on the high school in the first place.)
I have a few responses:
- Holy mackerel! It’s incredible that you’ll be taking on both schools! I know you are good and that your superintendent knows she can depend on you…and this is a lot of responsibility and time, to say the least!
- I’m assuming from your question that the word ‘no’ didn’t work out, so I think it’s worth giving the ‘traveling tickler file’ a try. To make that happen here are some suggestions: ** You will need a smaller one than the hanging ones you used in your office…and you might consider something like the ‘SwiftFiles’ brand? Swiftfiles are just regular-sized folders (i.e., letter-sized) and are already printed with the days of the month and include a second set for months of the year. You could fit them in a small carrying case or within a regular briefcase if you carry one back and forth. So, that is one option.
- Another possibility (vs. the traveling tickler file) is to have one home base for processing. Let’s imagine that you make the high school your ‘tickler home base.’ This is where you will keep your main tickler file. ** Whatever you gather during the day at the high school or at the middle school (or anywhere else you go during the day) goes back with you to your inbox at the high school for processing. ** You go through the inbox, making the decisions and delete, do, file, etc…and then put things into your tickler file there, at your home base. ** At the beginning of each week, you pull all the items for the upcoming week and put them in separate folders marked Monday – Friday and then THOSE are the only folders you carry with you throughout the week. That’s actually what I do because once I get to the week itself, I’m in and out of those folders so much, that I want those even more readily available than the ones in my tickler file. When I’m going out of town, I don’t take my whole tickler file, just the folders marked Monday – whatever days I’ll be gone and put them in my briefcase or suitcase.
Talk to others who also use a tickler system and see what suggestions they would have to add to this list. And let me know because I’m always looking for better ways for myself and others!
And for MANY more tips and ideas to keep moving forward on your goals for more peaceful productivity, join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin’s weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following websites):
**Top Ten Productivity Tips (http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com)
**Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay (http://www.KeepingChaosatBay.com)
(c) 2009 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., “The Ph.D. of Productivity”(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!
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Tags: Productivity
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