Saturday, July 17, 2010

My new tickler file

I've really been enjoying the paper clutter class these past few weeks, learning a bit about myself and encouraged that I'm not the only one out there that struggles so much with all this paper LOL! One of my favorite take-aways from the class is the tickler file ... a set of 43 file folders labeled with the days of the month (31), as well as one for each of the 12 months. I set mine up about a week or so ago and it's already helped me tremendously. Here's a pic:
I used some colorful center tab folders that I wasn't using elsewhere, trimmed off the tab and added my own tabs using scrapbook paper and my dymo labeler. (Of course, this was totally unnecessary ... one could just label the original tabs and move on, but it was fun to be a little crafty and use up some otherwise ignored scrapbook paper.) I added a pretty tea canister (that I'd saved "just because") to hold a pair of paper scissors and a couple pens and pencils. I also added a stapler (it's sitting in front of the folders in the bottom of the bin) and a small pad of paper. The folders are contained in an Itso bin from Target.Each night I pull the next day's folder and set it out on the kitchen counter for me to work on the next day. First thing in the morning I check to see what's in there and plan my day around those items and any items listed on the calendar. Occasionally I will move something to another day's folder if it's not urgent and I know I won't have time that day, and it's such a great thing to know that it won't be forgotten or misplaced. When the folder is finally empty, back in the bin it goes ... my goal is to have it emptied by noon, if possible.

I'm also loving the tickler file for other reminders, too ... if dh asks me to mow the lawn the next day, I drop a note so I don't forget (because otherwise I definitely WILL forget LOL!) The small notepad is for this very thing. It's also great for prayer requests, like for instance, I found out earlier this week that my grandma was having surgery on Thursday ... I dropped a note in Thursday's folder to remind me to pray for her. Love it! And yesterday I came up with another idea, too ... I bought a new broom but am not sure if I'm going to like it, so I took off the cover and placed it in the folder for a week later ... I figure by then I'll know for sure if I like it or not, and if I don't like it, I can put the cover back on and return it. I'm looking forward to coming up with some other great ways to use my tickler file to keep me on track! I actually had 50 file folders so I have an extra 7 folders to play with ... still thinking about what I might want to use those 7 folders for. Any ideas?

How about you? Do you have a tickler file? If so, please share. And if not, put one together, give it a try and let me know how you like it. You can actually buy tickler files already put together and ready for your papers, but it's so much cheaper (and way more fun) to put one together yourself. If you're like me, you've already got everything you need LOL! Here are a few websites to get you started:

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~charles57/GTD/tickler.html
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/back-to-basics-the-tickler-file.html
http://tickler-file.com/
http://www.shockmd.com/2010/05/31/tickler-file-system/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG0FU_M_YB8&feature=related
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45671.asp
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45672.asp
http://www.thehomeofficeorganizer.com/tickler-file-your-style/

Oh, my! There's a lot out there about tickler files ... I could go on and on LOL! Have fun!

6 comments:

  1. I definitely need a tickler file -- I can see how it could be a great help. Will try to get it started and will let you know how well it works out.

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  2. what a great organizational project! i'll have to try it for myself! ;)

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  3. great idea! I just did this with a cleaning system. But I like the idea of daily stuff that needs done.

    have a look at my cleaning system
    www.shapinglittlesouls.blogspot.com

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  4. I have several ideas for the extra files. One a kitchen recipe file. meals that you would like to cook, ingrdients needed and secondary meals you can make from these. Nice to have in a rush or with company coming. Also, now is the time they start to put things on sale for the holiday meals. Pick them up now and you could have them in your files so you do not repeat.
    The other file you could have is things needed to be replaced. Like garden hoses, maybe jackets or shoes. You could have a list of these and be able to shop for them when they are on sale. Buying at the end of a season can really save money.
    Last but not least - how about a file for others. A service file. Where you do things to help someone out. Go to a silent auction for a cause, clean the closet and donate, write someone a note and tell them they are brave, etc.
    Anyway you asked and I gave. I think the system is a great idea.Thank you for sharing.

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  5. Love this idea! And, to be honest, have never heard of it before. Thank you for sharing and for stopping by our table!
    ~Kristin

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