Keep your files flat and active

December 14th, 2005 · 1 Comment

One of the tricks found in Getting Things Done is to keep a completely flat file structure. No subfolders. I have found that this has really helped me both digitally and physically. I still have some degree of nesting going on in that I have some labeled “worship lists” “worship teaching,” but I don’t think that can be avoided.But my latest discovery has been the importance of keeping some folders active. Now in the front of my file drawer are the recently handled folders. Note, they are in the drawer and not on my desk. I’m trying really hard to keep things in their place. Stuff that’s not readily needed gets filed alphabetically. But current projects, and current is used fairly liberally are in the front, and sorted by most-recently-handled on-the-top. I have a similar system in my documents database on my computer. Everything that’s not current is filed, but the current stuff is in the front. This has helped me to have project reference material readily available, but also brought some sanity to my filing system.This post is licensed under the Creative Commons license.

Tags: Personal Librarian · Productivity

1 response so far ↓

1 Daren // Dec 14, 2005 at 11:04 am

I can concur with your thoughts on this. I, too, try to keep things in their place, but it isn’t apparant by my desktops (in my office, at home, or on my computer). This is a constant struggle for me. It seems like after I take the time to clear things up, another project or two comes along and “ouala”, I have a junky desk AND office once more! For what it’s worth, anyway… We all struggle with this stuff. I think different pastors and just different people in general have individual methods. For instance, some do things at the last minute. The pressure drives them, and they find that they are more productive that way. Others need to plan step-by-step, way ahead. Perhaps it is the same with messy and clean desks…