I tried it once and it got rave (laughing) reviews, so I've decided to do it again with a new topic. A few weeks ago my organizer and productivity colleagues gave us some tongue-in-cheek commentary about time management.
This time, I said to them: "I know you have seen people hang on to paper that they don't need right?! Have fun with it!" and this post is the result of what they came up with.
How many of these things have you told yourself? Be honest! :-)
Stephanie L H Calahan That old telephone book may come in handy someday to see who was around 10 years ago.
Melissa Schmalenberger Every cable bill, phone bill or utility bill even though I don't have a home based business or watch television as an occupation.
Aly Luccari Every paper their child has touched with a crayon.
Janet Barclay A contact list of people from a trip I went on in high school.
Jan Harvat Limpach save every magazine and newspaper that you haven't read. You might want to read it later.
Jacquie Ross Keep every National Geographic magazine you've ever owned in case they are worth something one day... Stephanie L H Calahan User's manuals that are from products I got rid of years ago. Jacquie Ross Keep copies of past insurance policies, that have become obsolete - just in case.
Lori Mattusch Vande Krol Need to keep those college textbooks b/c I worked so hard to get through them!
Tracy Magner Cards, Love letters from exes
Lisa Montanaro Definitely need to hold onto all of the Real Simple, Martha Stewart and O magazines so when I finally decide to get organized, I'll have all of the inspiration I need.
Colleen Kranz Hold onto every picture you got developed even if it doesn't mean anything to you. Colleen Kranz "Never get rid of any paper...you never know when you might need it"...ack...I would be swimming in a sea of paper if I actually followed this one!
Ellen Rubin Delap Only pick up your mail once a week, or every two weeks, and then put it in a bag in the garage.
Allison Spitzer Carter If you save your newspapers long enough you can make really cool tunnels around your house to get from room to room. Allison Spitzer Carter It really comes in handy to have receipts dating back 20 years or more. Such good laughs about buying gasoline for less than a dollar a gallon.
Heather Burke Keep stacks of recipes torn from magazines filled with ingredients that no one in your family will eat.
Anna Sicalides National Geographics are VERY valuable and easy to sell or donate.
Gretchen M. Fatouros You need all those paystubs since the 1960s. You never know when you might need that information. Don't toss any of them! (My poor MIL talked about a bonfire when she got stuck with her dad's paystubs. Every one he ever had in at least 2-3 safes in the basement)
Deb Lee Need more exercise? Instead of keeping the mail in one location, spread it around all the rooms in your home. You'll drop a few pounds while you go searching for what you need.
Janet Gorman Schiesl I worked with a couple who kept every piece of paper, statements, receipts, etc. They finally admitted that they had filed taxes since the late 80s, so were keeping everything, just in case. Avoiding a battle, but creating a war!
Do any of these paper mis-management thoughts ring true to you? What others did we miss? It's your turn to have fun with it now!
To your success!
PS - Facebook is a place where I like to share good information as well as have a little fun. I hope you will join me and the rest of the community. Join us here http://www.StephOnFacebook.com. Click the "like" button and then come to the wall and tell me a little about you and your business.
PPS - Are you an organizing or productivity pro and you are not on my super secret Facebook group? Why not? Connect today and join the fun.
