Getting Organized

One trait of an effective manager is the ability to stay organized, both with personal as well as team projects.  Good organization, the ability to properly track tasks and manage work load are all important skills.  These can be learned!

Filing 

Good, ole simple manila folders, in a good filing cabinet can work wonders to get you organized.  Creating a simple, alphabetical filing system is easy.  Just start to label with folders alphabetically with names that make sense according to the information you need to file.  All you will need are plenty of manilla folders, a cabinet, and a good pen or labeller.  Here are some tips that may help you to file better:

• track your files online with a simple excel sheet.  Two columns are all that's needed: file name, and file contents.  Update this document periodically.  Sometimes, after filing something (once your filing system is large enough), you might have trouble recalling where you filed a particular document.  This excel sheet can help find what you need.
• find a good filing cabinet
• more flexibility if drawers can hold letter and legal files
• labelling is key; think of specific names rather than vague categories for labels
• create subcategories by starting with a specific noun, and coupling it with another word (ie. Sloan: 15.990, Sloan: 15.390, etc.)

GTD: Getting Things Done

Getting Things Done, or GTD, is a popular organization method created by David Allen, and popularized in his book "Getting Things Done."