How to Get Buried in Paper
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Always be in a hurry.
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Open all your mail in a different place every day.
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Look through all your papers very quickly (just to see what's there).
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Keep everything.
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Separate mail into categories, then put it all back together and place it on a flat surface (until you can get around to it again).
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Do not put papers away -- you may forget what you have.
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Do not set any time aside to do paperwork.
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Have a tiny trash container that you can't reach.
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Keep any files you might have in overstuffed drawers and inconvenient places. Keep the cabinet where you do the paperwork.
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Have file cabinets that tip over easily and file drawers that only open partially.
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Make sure anything you do label is hard to read or don't label at all.
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When guests are coming to visit, quickly toss all papers into bag or box and hide it.
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Enjoy the lack of paper clutter for a moment.
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Try to forget about the "hidden paper." Ignore twinges of discomfort.
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Accept clutter as a permanent part of your environment.
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How to Get Your Paper Under Control
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Do each task to the best of your ability.
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Open your mail in the same place each day.
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Sort your papers as you look through them.
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Toss out everything you don't want or need.
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Have a good paper management system and put your papers away where they belong.
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Make sure the categories you have are relevant.
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Set time aside to adequately do your paperwork.
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Have a good size, sturdy trash container where you sort your papers.
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Have 2-3 inches of extra space in each file
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Have a file cabinet with full-suspension drawers.
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Print your labels with a marker and do them all the same way.
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Before guests come over, bake a cake.
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Enjoy the fruits of your labor. Find any paper quickly and easily.
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Be kind to others who still haven't learned to manage their paper.
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See paper clutter as a sign for you to get busy and do what you have to do.
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