File table of contents - do you need one?
(www.myorganizedbiz.com) - I stumbled across an article on Apartment Therapy about creating a table of contents for your filing cabinet. The writer suggested that you make a list of files in the order in which they appear in your cabinet and then attach it to the outside of your cabinet. The theory was that it will help you know where to look for an important file.
Honestly, I think that may be a little bit of overkill. Unless you have a lot of filing cabinets, is this really necessary? Most of us have one or two - maybe even three - file drawers of stuff. Can you remember what’s in each of them, generally? I can.
Additionally, I file my business files in alphabetical order. At most, I would only need an indicator of which parts of the alphabet are in a certain drawer. I try to keep as many electronic files as possible. So for paper, I don’t have a lot and can mostly remember what goes where.
In this case, I tend to go for simplicity. I think a table of contents is more effort than I’m willing to extend, even if it’s just a small thing. The content of my files change, too, and I don’t want to keep updating a table of contents. As long as I label my file folders, I think I’m all right.
So tell me, is this something you would want to use? Does it make sense, or is it overkill for you?
Image: Newscom
Tags: filing, finding what you need, systems, table of contents
2 opinions for File table of contents - do you need one?
Marina Martin
Jul 31, 2008 at 12:50 am
That means you would need to rewrite or reprint every single time you added a file folder. Holy hell, is that inefficient!
When I had paper files, I would put categories in front of each label so “like” folders were grouped together. For example, I had “Medical - Eye Doctor” “Medical - Dentist” etc.
Then all my folders were alphabetized. No need for a TOC.
Now, however, all my records are fully-searchable PDFs, so if someone is really trying to save on space, I’d say: ditch the files altogether!
Becky
Aug 6, 2008 at 10:01 pm
That’s kindof what I was thinking, too, Marina. I’d rather alphabetize or use the folder tabs and then label the sub-folders.
I’m working on getting my files digitized. Trying to figure out the best method for it, actually.
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