Organize!

Organize Your Files Week -- The third week in April. Eileen Roth, author of
"Organizing for Dummies," recommends these quick checklists to get organized.

Use W-A-S-T-E to decide whether something's worth keeping:

 * W -- Worthwhile. If the item isn't worth saving, toss it. If it is, move
on to the next four questions.
 * A -- Again. Will you use this item more than once?
 * S -- Somewhere else. Can you find it somewhere else or borrow it if you
need it?
 * T -- Toss. Will anything happen if you throw it out? If you need it for
tax or legal reasons, for example, keep it.
 * E -- Entire. Do you need the whole thing, the complete catalog, for
example, when you only want to order from one page? If not, keep what you need
and toss the rest.

Use R-E-M-O-V-E to clear off your desk:

 * R -- Reduce all the distractions on your desktop, such as knickknacks or
this morning's mail. Put them on top of a file cabinet or bookcase instead.
 * E -- Everyday use. Only keep things you use often on top of your desk.
 * M -- Move items to the preferred side, whether you're a "righty" or
"lefty." Put the phones, pens, pencils and pads within easy reach. Put the
telephone on the opposite side so you can write with your preferred hand.
 * O -- Organize like items together so you can find them easily.
 * V -- View your time. Keep an organizer and clock on your desk.
 * E -- Empty the center. Clear off space in the middle of your desk so you
can work on the project at hand.

Use R-A-P-I-D Response to sort mail and create stacks for each category:

 * R -- Read. Magazines, newsletters, etc.
 * A -- Attend. Notices and invitations for seminars, workshops, meetings.
 * P -- Pay. Bills.
 * I -- Important. All unknown incoming mail that needs sorting.
 * D -- Dump. Mail you know you won't read or need.