This article by Meggin McIntosh, “The Ph.D. of Productivity”™ and Paper Tiger Expert, is a great start to getting your workspace organized. Meggin also recommends Paper Tiger Filing System Software for document management, and you’ve got a great plan to get everything in your life organized — it’s not just for filing paper.
I agree with the premise behind Marilyn Paul’s book title: “It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys.” Your workspace (whether it’s an office, a classroom, in a school, at a university, in your home, or anywhere else) is a place where you begin and conduct some of the work that allows you to make a difference. If your workspace is filled with clutter, you are not as free to think, create, and generate ideas that will have the biggest impact.
If your office and/or classroom have become cluttered, you can use the “Method of 9,” which is 8 Containers and a List, to rid yourself of this clutter. Implementing this method of clearing the clutter gives you a way to
* Stay on task;
* Make the decisions you need to make; and
* Restore order in your workspace;
…all with the purpose of letting you
* Create an area of peaceful, predictable productivity.
To get started with the Method of 9, here’s what you need:
1. A container labeled: Trash
2. A container labeled: Belongs Elsewhere
3. A container labeled: Recycling
4. A container labeled: But I Might…
5. A container labeled: Hazardous Waste
6. A container labeled: Shred
7. A container labeled: Give Away
8. A container labeled: Keep
9. A pad of paper for your List
Get these containers labeled and get started on your cleaning & clearing activity. Figure out where you need to declutter, pick up each item that is detritus, and put it in one of the already-labeled container (or make a note about it on ‘the list.’) You’re on your way!
Don’t be discouraged; be energized because you’re making progress. Remember, it took time (and no effort) for your space to become cluttered and it will take time (and some effort) for you to clear the clutter.
© 2009 Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., The Ph.D. of Productivity(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh supports smart people who want to be more productive so that they can consistently keep their emphasis on excellence. Sound interesting? It is!
**Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay
This article by Stephanie Calahan, of Calahan Solutions and a Paper Tiger Expert provides many different ways of using Paper Tiger in addition to indexing paper files. She helps implement Paper Tiger Document Management Software and Filing System, which she recommends based on her clients’ needs and the way that they work. She understands that every person is different and requires systems that work for them.
Over the years, we have worked with a number of clients to help them implement the Paper Tiger and get their offices and time under control! We know for sure that the software is not just for paper! In this 3-part series, I will share some of the different ways that Paper Tiger clients have used the software. Basically, anything you can number, you can Paper Tiger!
Storage Containers – We use Paper Tiger to help with family communication. All of our storage containers are numbered & placed in numerical order in our basement. I type in the keyword & the container number comes up in seconds. It is much easier to ask my husband to get box #10 than to ask him to get the Fall decorations! 
Moving Boxes - Numbers are placed on the box with a description of the contents entered into Paper Tiger. You can use the category for the name of the room the box should go to. A description of the contents is entered for each box. Unpacking becomes a breeze! 
Bank/Fire Boxes – If you have a special spot that you store your precious items, make sure you remember what is stored in what location. Make sure to tell your emergency contact where your inventory list is in the event that you cannot get to it. 
Inventory – Insurance agents frequently tell us that we should have a documentation of our belongings in the event of a disaster. Paper Tiger is a fabulous tool to identify the important items in your home. Place photos in your file and list the items in Paper Tiger! 
Storage Sheds – While we would like you to consider de-cluttering before paying for multiple storage sheds, that is not always possible. Many use Paper Tiger to identify the contents of each storage unit. 
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There are so many great ways you can use the Paper Tiger software that I’m breaking the thoughts into 3 articles! Pick out the ones that work the best for you. What have you used Paper Tiger for? Tweet me at @StephCalahan and let me know. Share your tips because I KNOW you will help another reader! If you would like help getting all of your systems put in place that match the way you think and work, let’s talk!
The Many uses of The Paper Tiger (Part 1 of 3)
The Many uses of The Paper Tiger (Part 3 of 3)
About the Author:
Stephanie Calahan is The Business Vision Catalyst and founder of Calahan Solutions, Inc. She works with purpose-driven entrepreneurs, visionaries, coaches, consultants, health practitioners, authors, speakers and all sorts of remarkable service professionals who are experts in their field, to help them embrace their brilliance, leverage their business and get their message out with power, ease and joy; so that they can make a powerfully positive difference in the world, exponentially grow their income and enjoy a highly-successful and meaningful business… while working less. Learn how you can have more freedom in your life! http://www.StephanieCalahan.com
