Can you really find what you’re looking for?
Have you ever spent time on your computer trying to find a file you’re looking for? Did you ever find it? Maybe it’s time to simplify a bit so you can find stuff. If you’re not a librarian (and I know I’m not) it makes sense to match up filing + streamline as much as possible. Here’s a few tips to get you started:
What works best for you?
Do you like filing by numbers? Names? Categories? Look at your current filing cabinet or computer file structure. Is there one that works better? Think of migrating the not-so-great one.
Don’t overdo it.
Hey, I get it. I hate filing too. So, make it as easy as possible. Products like this (pictured below) make it a no brainer if you don’t want your head to hurt, or don’t have the resources to hire a Professional Organizer.
A little matching can help.
Remember the last time when you were looking for a file, and couldn’t find it. Yeah, the one on the computer. Try matching up your paper and computer files. Then, when you are trying to remember where to file it, you’ll know right where it goes. Then, you can find it in under 5 minutes. 
Bonus Tip: Use a “Projects” file on your computer.
This is a trick I started using recently. I have a “@Projects” file (nod to Mr. GTD) in the “My Documents” file directory. Guess what? I have one on my desktop too. While I’m working on a project, it goes in here, and then when it’s done, it gets filed away (read: moved to it’s permanent home). It’s made my life soooo much easier! Try it out, and see what you think.
How can you simplify your computer & paper files so you can actually find things?
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I actually love to file. When I worked out of the home, I’d do my work as quick as possible so I could do some filing. Now that I work at home I don’t have many papers to file, but I keep my files organized on my computer by “type”. All my PDFs are in one folder, my audio files in another, etc. If I have 3 or more ebooks by the same person, I’d put those in a subfolder and label it with their name.
I also make sure to rename any files I download online (like ebooks) to something that I’ll recognize. Sometimes people name their files weird things and when I look at it later I can’t remember what it was or where I got it unless I name it something that makes sense to me.