If you're like most of us, your inbox is overloaded, your desk is a disaster and you probably have some piles of stuff on the floor. Don't despair, you can take control of the chaos. All it takes is a good organizing system and a little discipline, according to Barbara Hemphill, a recognized leader in the organizing field and author of Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home . During our conversation, Hemphill offered insights into why clutter is such a universal problem and gave me some practical advice on taming the tiger in my unruly office. Our inbox is filled to capacity, our to-read pile is intimidating and assorted papers are all over our desk.
Clutter is postponed decisions.
I try to simplify this for clients by saying there are only three decisions that are possible. File is, I don't know if I will need it, but I don't have the nerve to throw it away. Act means, the ball is in my court whether it's a bill I have to pay or an appointment I need to schedule, something that I need to act on. Toss, speaks for itself. Our consultants operate under the premise that today's mail is tomorrow's pile.