Pot O’ Digital Gold or Electronic Clutter?
Just like we all have different amounts of “stuff” in our homes, we all have different kinds of technology apparatus and amounts of digital information stored on our devices. Some folks are not bothered by thousands of emails, files and photos. I am not one of them.
I go through all my digital information pretty much the same way I would go through my papers and developed photos back in the day.
I find this to be worth the investment because I am all about productivity and I know how much time I will save if my information is organized and easy to find. (See below for my Resource of the Month if you need help.)
Here is the simplest statement I can make on minimizing your plethora of digi-clutter… I wrote on this many years ago but it’s time for a refresher.
“If you do not TAF your digital information, your machines and screens will get FAT.”
- Toss – Delete and Unsubscribe
- Act – Place the task in your calendar, complete the task, and then delete the file, email etc.
- File – If you are keeping something, give it a home. Where do you want that file, email, photo or app to live on your devices?
I know this sounds simple but it takes time to clean-up an email box, hard drive and iPad desktop. The best way to combat it is to schedule a routine time(s) for this organizational task. We make routines for other things that are important to us like cleaning the house or going to the gym. Why not put some Atomic Habits into place for your digital life?
Just like we all have different amounts of “stuff” in our homes, we all have different kinds of technology apparatus and amounts of digital information stored on our devices. Some folks are not bothered by thousands of emails, files and photos. I am not one of them.
I go through all my digital information pretty much the same way I would go through my papers and developed photos back in the day.
I find this to be worth the investment because I am all about productivity and I know how much time I will save if my information is organized and easy to find. (See below for my Resource of the Month if you need help.)
Here is the simplest statement I can make on minimizing your plethora of digi-clutter… I wrote on this many years ago but it’s time for a refresher.
“If you do not TAF your digital information, your machines and screens will get FAT.”
- Toss – Delete and Unsubscribe
- Act – Place the task in your calendar, complete the task, and then delete the file, email etc.
- File – If you are keeping something, give it a home. Where do you want that file, email, photo or app to live on your devices?
I know this sounds simple but it takes time to clean-up an email box, hard drive and iPad desktop. The best way to combat it is to schedule a routine time(s) for this organizational task. We make routines for other things that are important to us like cleaning the house or going to the gym. Why not put some Atomic Habits into place for your digital life?
