Organizing Solutions

Digital Clean-Up Tips

We spend much of our lives in the digital world and using devices like smartphones, laptops, desktops, work computers, school computers, tablets and so on. Just like we make resolutions to clean our workspaces and home spaces, it’s important to set aside some time at least once a year to clean up our digital lives. First, you’ll want to develop and stick to a system for backing up your digital information. Sometimes technology fails, and many of us know how it feels to lose w

Spring Clean Your Digital Organizing Structure

It’s one thing to go out and buy a scanner in an effort to become paperless. It’s another thing to actually be able to find what you need amidst a tsunami of digital files. So here are five tips to tame those digital documents. Remember, scanning is the easy part; consistently finding your documents is the trick. Set up a Digital Workflow and Plan Let’s start at a high level here. There is no need to get too detailed. The point of this step is for you to work outing your hea

Spring Clean Your iPhone

I have around 100 apps on my phone. I need help so I can easily access the things I want! "There's an app for that." We know. But do we need it? With so many apps at our fingertips, it can be quite overwhelming to find what we are looking for. Apps are designed to improve our lives, but trying to find them can be a challenge - especially with 100 apps or more. Combat Clutter First, be honest with yourself and delete the apps you don’t use - or rarely use. Delete apps you just

Organizing Your Computer

Our computers hold all sorts of digital resources that we utilize both at work and in our personal lives. From family photos to financial records, the data we store on our hard drives can be very important. But, if your computer’s files are cluttered and disorganized, it can be difficult to find the file you need when you actually need it. Here are some hints for tidying up the resources you keep on your computer. Back up, Back up, Back up Sure you want to organize your compu

Taste of My Own Medicine: Organizing My Laptop

Even as a professional organizer, I still walk across the living room floor and step on Legos or a plastic dinosaur. I look forward to the day - in about 10 years maybe - when I’ll be able to cross the floor without the landmines. Meanwhile, I’ve found 4 simple techniques that provide an oasis of adult sanity on my Mac. On a recent cross-country flight, I took control of my laptop. It feels as good as it sounds to have your computer cleaned up. Here you go: Clear the Desktop

Cleaning, Organizing, and Streamlining Your Digital Files

Computers are designed to store digital files in an organized and efficient manner. They are machines - they like straightforward processing. However, we users are mere humans, right? So, if we use our computers frequently (daily!?) we can create quite a mess for ourselves. Just like with paper documents, it is critical to come up with a way to sort things out. Here's some advice on keeping your digital files organized and easy to access. Don't Overcomplicate It It's importa

Shred, Scan, or Store? A Checklist to Eliminate Paper Piles

When I became a Fujitsu ScanSnap Squad member last fall, I started scanning nearly everything in sight. It was novel and fun…and I loved the self-righteous feeling of satisfaction from a clear desk and easy access to my documents electronically. But no matter how hard I try, I always end up with at least a few envelopes full of receipts, forms and miscellaneous items throughout the year, cluttering my desk drawer. Since the tax deadline has come and gone, this is an idea seas

OLWH: Managing Paperwork in an Architecture Business

Why the Client Called Me: One of my clients is a small architecture firm based in Mill Valley. They have between 5-8 employees, depending on the project. Each employee is remotely-located, but they all share information about the various clients - so they all need access to the same project information. In addition, paper/critical information accumulates in the office from multiple sources - emails, inspector reports, government licenses, product design, blueprints, product

The Hidden Corners of Digital Clutter

When guests come to my house, I’ve been known to do a clean sweep of the living room, dumping random orphaned items into various closets and drawers approximately five minutes before arrival. Can you relate? And when it comes to digital clutter, often we do the same - without knowing it. Here are three of the usual suspects that create digital clutter and how to get rid of them. Take Out the Trash. Sure, you empty the trash can on your desktop every so often, right? But did

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