How to Quickly Organize and Sort Your Mail
I developed a simple and easy to use framework to quickly sort and organize my mail, to minimize the amount of work for myself later.
Let’s face it: unless you LOVE paying your bills, filling out paperwork, and managing clerical tasks...then the task of sorting through mail can be cumbersome.
The things that feel overwhelming are the things we tend to avoid. When we don’t know what’s up, what’s down, and what’s ahead, certain tasks get pushed to the side. We then fall into the habit of procrastination.
The mail then stacks up on that entry table. With each day that passes, the little shame monster pops into your brain. You tell yourself: oh yeah, I gotta take care of that. But you don’t. Because it looks like a big to-do. This system was created with one goal in mind:
to minimize overwhelm & increase motivation
It’s time to take charge of your mailbox clutter and find a quick and easy organization method for sorting mail. From creating a system to managing incoming mail, I'll show you the fool-proof system I’ve used for decades to conquer the chaos and maintain a tidy and efficient home entry or office area.
Organization helps create emotional preparedness, to envision the journey ahead. Try this two part system:
1: Recycle all excess paper
Immediately upon bringing the mail in, start by recycling all paper that doesn’t serve a purpose. This includes junk mail and ALL non-essential envelopes (i.e. the envelopes that the mail arrived in). This will create two piles for you:
(1) Recycling (junk mail, envelope exteriors, excess papers attached to bills).
(2) Mail to keep and/or mail that needs your attention.
2: Sort
Next, you’ll sort your mail into two piles.
Pile 1: Items to be filed away. If you don’t have a filing system, I highly recommend you create one. This can be a physical system, a digital system, or both. You do not need to file away these items now. Instead, have a designated box or container that says “to be filed”.
Pile 2: These are action items. Keep a box or a container in a location where you will take care of these tasks once you have time to do so.
That’s it! This is my two-step process to quickly organize mail as it comes in.
“Embrace these quick tips to conquer your mailbox clutter and enjoy a more streamlined and efficient home.”
Mail Organizers
Go Digital When Possible
Something that can be useful with eliminating mail, is opting for digital statements, only. This can greatly reduce paper clutter and mail trails by digitizing important documents and correspondence. This will free up physical space and simplify your paper organization process by reducing your overall incoming mail.
