Please do not misunderstand me. I certainly do not claim to be the world’s most organized person! I have read at least two dozen organization and time management books with the hope of finding a system that works well for me and my personality (and ADD tendencies).  I have yet to find a whole system ready-made for me, but I have been gleaning (or brainstorming) little ideas here and there, which are slowly adding up.

I plan to use this page as a repository for these out-of-the-ordinary ideas, which I do not think you will readily find in the traditional organizing books. (I am not claiming that all of these ideas are completely original; only explaining why you will not find all of the traditional tips on this page, as well. You can find those someplace else, so I will not duplicate them here.)

• If, like me, you have a tendency to remain unaware of the passage of time, consider purchasing a clock which chimes on the hour (or, better yet, every quarter hour). If your budget doesn’t allow for that, can you at least purchase an inexpensive digital watch which will beep every hour?
• I am, by nature, a piler. I can file everything neatly away (and my filing system works; I can easily find things again), but it will eventually all end up piled again, because that’s how I work best. If you’re like me, consider ways that you can containerize your papers, while still allowing yourself to pile them.

  For example, the paperwork for any projects I’m working on invariably ends up on my desk, because I want it to be visible. (I’m a highly visual worker.) A set of trays (like this one) allows me to keep these papers out on my desk – but sorted and contained so they don’t look sloppy. (If you prefer a vertical arrangement, the shelf can be turned on its side. Make sure you use something steady like this, and not a rack that will topple over the first time you take a file or stack of papers out of it.)

• Continuing the concept of “containerized piling,” try this: if you are a compulsive filer, get a notebook and a pen and take a few minutes (or half an hour!) to sort through the pile(s) on your desk. What are you piling? Chances are, the papers in your pile will fall into categories. Jot these categories down. (That’s what the notebook and pen are for.)

  Once you’ve made your list, consider each category. How can you provide yourself with a tidy “piling place” for each one? Can you place a “to file” basket on or under your desk? Can you pile all of the business cards and tiny telephone number notes on the Rolodex itself until you get around to transferring them? Can you use stacking baskets/trays for things to do, mail to go out, various projects, etc.? There is a high likelihood that you can continue to pile and keep a (fairly) neat desk if you just plan for, and provide yourself with the tools to work with, this tendency. (The key is that these have to be open containers!)