It's more than a system…it's also a style.  It's what I call brain-based organizing. It means different triggers for each of us. I frequently refer to it as left-brain or right-brain organizing styles.

Left-brainers like things outlined in a linear fashion on their desk and in their file cabinets. Left to right, top to bottom, A-Z.  Desktop clutter hinders their ability to get the job done. It doesn't necessarily mean they are organized. Right-brainers, on the other hand, are more visual, conceptual and creative beings. Direct and visual access to information is critical for them. Desktop storage/piles is how they live.  As you might guess, a system that works for one style doesn’t necessarily the other style. Then there’s 'whole' brainers. They are a little big linear and a little bit visual.

It's more than information storage….it's also information retrieval
Let's say you buy a car and store it in your garage. You drive it daily and enjoy it. Then one day it stops working. You begin riding with friends or taking public transportation while all the time the car is sitting in the garage.  

The same is true of a filing system. If you don't take the time to maintain the system, then the papers sit on top of the desk, the floor, the window ledge…you know…filing by piling. The retrieval system is there to use, but it’s broken. Get organized by cleaning out your existing files annually and setting up a workable filing system. You’ll be able to manage and retrieve documents and save time.

It's more than paper chaos…it's also about life chaos
It’s about paper, time and peace of mind. There are plenty of areas vying for our time and attention these days. The lifestyle of this millennium is hectic and harried. On one hand it requires us to focus more on what we need to get done and on the other hand it seems that there is less time in which to get it all done. Identify your priorities, stay focused and do what you want to do as well as what you need to do.

It takes practice. So begin now.