Scrapbooking has become an entire industry in recent years with supplies and tools that do everything from die-cutting to stamping. There are so many pieces, big and small, and it’s important to keep things sorted and categorized.

One product I really like is this stackable paper tray which protects the paper and also provides an extremely neat display. The trays have a “lipless” design – you can pull any sheet of paper from a tray, even from the bottom, without disturbing the entire stack. And of course, it reduces clutter and increases your scrapbooking productivity!

The displays got interactive at the Innovatively Organized booth at the Seattle Chamber tradeshow last month with our sample bulletin board.

The “before” bulletin board (top) is cluttered with random notes strewn about in a way that poses confusion about what needs to get done and when. The “after” board (bottom) shows a solution that incorporates many of the recommendations we make to clients on a daily basis, such as using a time map to schedule an ideal day, and dividing the board into specific sections to differentiate information like special dates and phone numbers and a weekly to do list.

Here are more tips for Evernote - my favorite online system for filing and sharing!

• Take photos of the wiring setup for your computer and television/dvd/stereo center so that if you move anything, you can put things back where they go.
• Scan and save warranty information for major appliances and electronics.
• Scan and save documents as PDFs and shred the un-needed paper version.
• Take photos of priceless items such as jewelry or family heirlooms with notes about their appraisal value.
• Make a PDF version of your business license - this comes in handy when you fill out business paperwork.
• Take pictures and make a list of important serial numbers on big purchases in case they are stolen; use the information to file a police report.
• Take pictures of the contents of your wallet in case of theft, especially the fronts and backs of cards for the phone numbers to call and cancel cards.

There isn’t an office or home that doesn’t use the ubiquitous sticky note for jotting down everything from directions to phone numbers and messages. That’s why this new product from Rediform is so valuable. It creates a carbonless copy of the sticky note so you can keep it as a reminder. It’s also conveniently wallet-sized so you can easily carry it with you and follow up on the notes you’ve left behind. What an innovative way to use the sticky note to keep your to-do’s organized!

On a historical note, the original Post-it note turns 30 years old this month!

• Store recipes and pictures of dishes – use the transparent sleeves to keep it clean from spills in the kitchen
• Re-label the alphabetical tabs with months of the year and store birthday and anniversary dates
• Use it to organize small stickers or embellishments for your scrapbooking project
• Sports collectors can organize their baseball cards
• If you recently painted walls or furniture, store the paint chip for future reference.

When I saw this tip, I knew I had to share it right away. Sometimes the smallest object can make a huge organizing difference. And talk about innovative!

Do you know how much time it takes to go through the mail, file papers or make a grocery list? Once you begin quantifying the amount of time it takes to manage any given task, you’ll be able to use that information to prioritize your activities.  Below is a quick exercise I regularly do with my clients:

- Start by setting a timer so it’s visible on a desk or countertop.
- I assign a task and let the client determine if the task can be completed in two minutes or less.
- If so, we set the timer and start the task (Ideally, we’d like to have it done in less time!)

The goal is to confirm or refute that a job can actually be done in two minutes. Sometimes we think an activity takes more or less time than it really does. With this simple process, clients can learn how much time is being spent and how much time can be saved. Being organized means being more efficient and more productive which can mean adding valuable minutes or hours to your day!

This product definitely deserves credit for an innovative little feature that turns a standard office item into a unique organizer. If you notice, there are pivoting hangers on the corners that allow you to use this as a hanging file, or when you’re on-the-go, fold them down and carry it like a regular file!

• Blue exterior with gray dividers and 6 fasteners to keep papers securely in place
• 2″ capacity
• Environmentally friendly with a minimum of 25% post-consumer recycled materials

Click here to learn more.

With so much technology, it’s ironic how much paper we still receive in the mail and have piled up on our desks. It’s important to shred anything with sensitive information like financial statements or credit card applications. A lot of clients ask me what to look for when they go out to buy a shredder. Here’s what I tell them:

1. Cross-Cut - This type of shredder cuts paper into smaller bits and is much more secure than a strip-cut paper shredder.
2. Able to shred plastic like credit cards, DVDs and CDs
3. Shouldn’t have a problem shredding the sticky part of envelopes
4. Large capacity – The container or basket should hold at least two weeks worth of shredding.