newbie, tickler file question

[mcogilvie]

I have a question about the tickler file, which I realize David didn't invent, but since it's central to GTD I thought I'd post here: When do the papers in the coming months' folders get sorted into their respective days?

In my view, the physical tickler file is not central to GTD, but the use of some kind of reminder system is. Because so many of my tickler items come to me electronically, I just keep them as electronic. Dated items go on my calendar. This includes optional events and reminders of due dates (hard landscape). For stuff I want to start or at least move to a project or NA list, I use a tickler list (softer). With electronic, you do have 365 folders and more, rather than 43, and you don't have to sort at the beginning of the month. However, if most stuff comes at you as paper, I suspect a paper tickler file can be easier once you get the habit.

[david_navigator]

I found that a 43 folders concept didn't work for me & my wife. We discovered that we needed to see an overview of what was coming up, rather than only discovering something on the day.
So after a few experiments we came up with a large pin board, on which we have created labeled areas.
Basically a column for this week, labeled "This week", with rows for each day of the week.
A column for next week, labeled "Next Week" again with rows for each day of the week.
A third column with two rows, one labelled "Soon" (anything happening sometime in about the next two weeks after next week) and the other labeled "Later".
Then once a week (Sunday evening works best for us), it's my job to move everything from Next Week to This week, find anything on Soon with needs moving to Next Week and similarly moving anything from Later to Soon.