TL;DR
This busy CEO’s desk was buried under years of papers. Every paper was either filed or tossed, and a filing system with a built-in exit plan was set up so folders would not keep growing. Now every paper gets a decision the moment it is in hand, and 60 percent of the desk stays clear.
Before / After Case Study:
Situation:
Papers were the dominant player on the desk of this busy CEO. Years of inaction kept these papers piling up until they were no longer important. Time was the organizing factor for this desk. Once a few years past, the bottom layer could be removed because it no longer was a pressing matter.
Solution:
Every paper in the office was touched and either filed or tossed. The Freedom Filer filing system was implemented so that all papers put into the file system would have an exit strategy. This way the folders would not expand into more file cabinets over time.
We created a filling system that kept piles off of the desk and focused on keeping 60% of the desk area open for business. Instead of laying a paper onto the desk surface when in hand, a decision was made as to whether it should be tossed, filed into a hanging folder or moved into one of the vertical desktop folders as an active project. Months later, the desk is still clear and the system is functioning!
What Our Clients Say:
“You’ve been a significant agent for change in our client’s life. He has kept up with your system and his desk remains clear. I’m sure this has increased his effectiveness/productivity.
You’re terrific at what you do, and I thank you for it.”
Marc B.
Keep reading
- A Busy Home Office Overwhelmed with Paperwork Gets Freedom Filed!How one business owner with several corporations got her records under control.
- Paper OrganizationDecide on every paper as it arrives and keep an action file on your desk.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clear a desk buried in years of paper?
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Touch every paper in the office once and decide to either file it or toss it. In this case study, many papers at the bottom of the piles were no longer important because years had passed.
How do I stop papers from piling up on my desk again?
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Don’t lay a paper on the desk when it is in your hand. Decide right away whether to toss it, file it in a hanging folder, or put it in a vertical desktop folder as an active project. Aim to keep 60 percent of the desk surface open.
Why does a filing system need an exit strategy?
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If papers have no planned way out, folders keep expanding into more file cabinets over time. Kathi used the Freedom Filer system so every paper filed has a set point when it leaves.
Hi Kathi! I enjoy reading your stuff and am always intrigued by the promise of before and after photos (especially since this office looks much like my last boss’ who I could never quite get him to stick with an organized system). Unfortunately I don’t think the ‘hover over the photo” works on an iPad. No rush, just wanted to put a bug in your ear to someday find a method that works for all of us iPad users as well. Thanks for the info and keep up the good work!
I have the same problem with my iMac mouse. I’d love to see the “after” shot.
V
SO sorry about that, all of the scroll-overs should now be working properly. Thanks for checking in and visiting addSpace!