Making It All Work- Files

[debbieg]

I'd like to tackle clearing out and setting up my file folders. My understanding from the book is that there are general reference files in folders labeled by topic and there are action support files. For some projects, there may be multiple folders (eg: for my job search project: marketing materials, active leads, closed leads, networking lists, etc). I also have 1/2 drawer for all my financial files which I like keep together in one area for easy access.

My question is: I have a double lateral file drawer. Do I combine the active project sub folders with the reference folders in an A-Z fashion? Or do the Reference folders get stored elsewhere, separate from the active support folders? Wouldn't you want all the sub folders for the job search grouped together and not A-Z mixed with the other project sub folders?

[TesTeq]

Wouldn't you want all the sub folders for the job search grouped together and not A-Z mixed with the other project sub folders?

You can use "auto-grouping project naming convention". For example:
job-davidco-coach
job-hp-ceo
job-wallmart-cleaner

[Roger]

Do I combine the active project sub folders with the reference folders in an A-Z fashion?

You certainly can do it that way. I like to have active project folders in a "ready-use" drawer, but that can carry its own dangers.


Wouldn't you want all the sub folders for the job search grouped together and not A-Z mixed with the other project sub folders?

The usual solution, as mentioned, is to build a stubby hierarchy into the naming, so "Job Search - Marketing" is filed with the rest of the Job Search material.



Cheers,
Roger

[JohnV474]

Two possibilities, though there are others:

1) Have separate drawer for Project Support (a.k.a. Project-specific) information and Reference files, each separated by Topic.

2) Have them all in one big drawer.

Either of those options can be used with the folder labeling conventions described by TesTeq above.

Some examples in a Reference-only drawer:

gardening-fertilizers
gardening-tomatoes
gardening-tools
homeowners insurance
mortgage papers
... etc.

Some examples in a mixed Project-specific and Reference drawer:

HOME ADDITION-blueprints
HOME ADDITION-estimates
HOME ADDITION-pamphlets for materials
homeowners insurance
mortgage papers
MOWER FIXED
... etc.

Your choice of having them all combined or not is a personal preference. David Allen recommends Project-specific Support material to be in one area and general Reference in another area. In either case, I recommend keeping all Project specific information related to one project grouped together.

The important thing is that it make sense to you and be very, very easy to file new information as well as find what you need.

[Tom.9]

I´m (finally!) trying some of the file folders recommended (read; to office; to home...).
When I´m at my home office, where is the best place to put them?
Maybe in the "out" tray ?

[kelstarrising]

where is the best place to put them?

I put mine in my pending box.

[Tom.9]

How could I live ever without them?
So simple, so useful. Papers aren´t flying around anymore.

[Tom.9]

as I am new to this item...

Is ONE @support folder sufficent or is it indicated to use various of them (for different projects on the runway) ?