© Jan Jasper; 2001-2008
It's a challenge to keep track of everything you must discuss with co-workers involved in a project. Project
folders are a good start, but each folder contains issues involving various people. You may have 4 issues, in 4
different project folders, to discuss with Sue. How can you remember them all when Sue phones?
A commonly-used method that doesn't work is to remove all papers to be discussed with Sue from their project
folders, and put them in a pile - when Sue calls, you go through the pile. But this causes problems later because
you don't have time to put the papers back in the folder.
The solution -- Use colored flags or sticky notes to 'sort' paper without removing it from its project folder. Use visual
cues. If Sue's last name is Green, she gets the green flags. When you see a paper to be discussed with Sue, stick on a
green flag. When Sue calls, reach for the green-flagged papers. (Remove the colored flag when you're done.) How about Bob,
your co-worker who's always down in the dumps? Assign him blue tabs. (I don't recommend you tell people the reasons for your
color choices!)
The benefits are many: You don't have to call Sue again because you forgot to ask her something. You spend less time moving
paper around. And you won't misplace things.
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About the Author:
Jan Jasper has been training busy people to work smarter, not harder since 1988. She helps clients streamline
work procedures, manage information overload, and use technology efficiently.
Her specialty is helping people who've already worked with professional organizers and coaches and are still not able
to get it all done.
Jan is the author of Take Back Your Time: How to Regain Control of Work, Information, & Technology
(St. Martin's
Press). She recently completed a North American media tour as the national efficiency spokesperson for IKON
Office Solutions, Inc. She has appeared on radio and TV all over North America and is quoted regularly in print. Jan is an adjunct
instructor at
New York University.
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