LiveWorld Transcripts

Houston Chronicle presents

LaNita Filer-Jones
Get Organized

May 10, 2001

LaNita Filer-Jones answers your personal and professional organizing questions

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Meta Description: Houston Chronicle presents LaNita Filer Jones, professional organizer

Description: LaNita Filer-Jones answers your personal and professional organizing questions

The Chronicle: The information discussed today is provided for information purposes only. If professional services or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional organizer should be sought. Welcome to Get Organized! HoustonChronicle.com is proud to present a discussion with Professional Personal Organizer LaNita Filer-Jones. Send in your questions now!

LaNita Filer: Greetings to everyone. And thank you to The Houston Chronicle and LiveWorld for having me.

Mom45: How did you get started organizing?

LaNita Filer: Great question! I used to work for a time management company which produced a day planner, and it was the best job I ever had in my whole life. Unfortunately, I got laid off, but I was introduced to the National Association of Professional Organizers while working there, and after I was laid off, I decided to pursue this as my career.

ComicShop: I get the feeling prioritizing is important in organizing. Can you give us some tips in that area?

LaNita Filer: Yes. Prioritizing is very important. You want to be able to put your time and your attention into the things that matter the most. So you have to decide what's an absolute priority, and you have to draw boundary lines. You must also learn how to say the word "no" and stick to it. "NO" is a complete sentence. And once you establish what those priorities are and what your boundaries are, it should be relatively easy to focus on them.

NeedOrganizing: I try getting organized, then I get sidetracked. How do I stay organized?

LaNita Filer: Organization is an ongoing process. It's a skill that can be learned by anyone. Some people feel that you're either born with it or you're not, but it can be learned. The main thing to stay organized is consistent maintenance. You have to work on it. Practice enhances it.

Lorena698: How does one set up a filing system?

LaNita Filer: Great question! Depending on what it is you're organizing, you'll need the right tools; so boxes and a black marker. You'll need to take the time to decide what your file categories will be--business or personal--and try to make your categories relatively broad ones. For each category, you'll choose file names that will be easy for you to remember. For instance, ask yourself the question, "What would I call this when I go to look for it again?" And that should be your file name. Once you've established that, you can decide whether you want to color code your filing system or whether you want to file alphabetically or numerically. When your filing system is complete, you'll want to make sure you create a file index so that you have a road map that tells you exactly what files are in your filing cabinet. Along with that, you also want to purge your files on a regular basis. This is something you can do every quarter or twice a year. Make sure you get black trash bags so you can't see through them. That will prevent you from changing your mind and pulling out the dead papers that you no longer need. Use storage boxes to archive the files that you want to keep, and only put current files in your filing cabinet.

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