The File Pile

The poll in the left margin of this site indicates that many of us are on the same chaotic page when it comes to filing. The key to maintaining the incoming paper pile is regular management. Whether it’s daily or weekly - we need to create a flow that works with our energetic flow.

Another way to think of your filing system is to use it as a metaphor. Picture an upside down pyramid - kind of shaky. The Chaotic File Pile method is balanced on such a pyramid. File Fitness takes consistent energy to create and maintain a system that works with you and your energy, not against your energy. Below are a few examples of working against your energy:

In 2001, while high on the thought of organizing, you bought the fancy file label system that is still in the same packaging at the bottom of your file pile.

You hired a pricey organizer who filed so well that you can’t find anything.

You hate filing and everything it stands for.

The above cases have one thing in common: they are based on a story about filing. If you want to see your way clear to rearrange your file system, you simply have to tell a different story. Think about it, if you hate filing, then why would you do it? Do you go out for drinks with people you hate? NO!

One good energetic step to changing your story is to say: I’ll sure be glad when I have this organized.

Try it.

Stand or sit up straight. Shoulders back, chest out, and take a couple of breaths. First state aloud the usual story about your filing problem using your Monkey-Minded, Inner-Critic voice – with feeling. It may sound something like: Organized! You don’t have time to stay organized, who are you kidding? (Or are too lazy to, too creative to, too tired to…) You can journal this exercise as well.

Feel what happened to your body. Did your breath stop? Shoulders tighten or slump?

Now say: I’m looking forward to having this organized.

Feel the difference? The 2nd sentence will need to be repeated. And don’t worry if the Monkey-Minded voice pipes in, just turn down the volume on the old story and turn the volume up on the new story.

This is called affirmations the Abraham-Hicks way. Basically, unless you find a way to inspire yourself to hang out with your file pile, it isn’t going to get done. So, practice your new story. Write the sentence on a card and put it in your work space. The key is to keep your statement short, sweet and energetically true.

For instance, it’s a short feel better step from hating filing to believe “looking forward to” filing. It's impossible to jump from hating filing to believe “I really love filing, it’s easy and fun!”

Once you're standing on the “looking forward to” rung of the energetic ladder, then it’s a short feel better step to believe “With some help, I can create a filing system that works for me.”

Finally, regarding that ubiquitous File Pile: when you accept that the filing is never going to be finished; that there will always be one paper waiting to be placed in it’s file folder home – then you understand first principle of file fitness. The paper flows in and the paper flows out. Saturday follows Friday. 5pm comes after 9am. Blog 3 follows Blog 2.

May you easily find every paper you need,

Aunt Dot

PS: Click on the word ‘Comment’ below and ask me a filing question!