You need four basic components to manage your papers:

1. Inbox
2. Action Files
3. Filing System
4. Outbox

Inbox
Your inbox should be accessible and convenient to use for everyone in the home and office. There are many different products that will suffice. Schedule a time to go through your inbox at least once a week. Once you go through your inbox, either put the papers in your action files or file them away in your filing system.

Action Files
If you haven’t already, you need to create action files so that when you go through your inbox, you’ll have a place to put all the papers you’re still working on. Action files, also known as working files, should always be placed at arms’ length. Once you’re done working on the papers, put them in your filing system.

Filing System
It’s imperative that you spend adequate time and money creating a filing system to store all the papers you plan on keeping for a long time. Without a good filing system you won’t function well and your papers will grow out of control. Use common file names for easy retrieval. Make sure to purge your files at least once a year to keep papers under control.

Outbox
Put an outbox near your office or home door so you can grab your papers and go. Nothing’s worse than wasting valuable time because you can’t find one piece of paper.

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