Reduce Your Reading Pile

How large is your reading pile?  I know if I don't make time to read every day, mine easily gets out of control.  Here are some tips to ease your reading load:

1.  Immediately scan the Table of Content when you buy or receive a magazine.  Professional Organizers call it the "Rip & Read Method."  Rip out articles and information you want to read and dispose of the remaining magazine pages.

2.  Make an "Urgent to Read" or a "Must Read" file.  Carry it with you wherever you go.  When you're stuck in traffic or waiting at the doctor's office, read something useful.

3.  Get rid of anything that's older than two months (or three months or whatever you're comfortable with).  If you haven't read it in that amount of time you're probably not going to.

4.  Make time to read daily.  Schedule it in your planner.  Even 15 minutes a day, done consistently, can greatly reduce your reading pile.

(Scroll to top of next column for tip #5.)

5.  Read with a highlighter and pen.  You can make notes and highlight important points to avoid rereading later.

6.  Scan information if you're not sure how important it is.  Many times, you can quickly surmise whether you need to keep or toss.

7.  Make a decision after you read the information.  Never place it back in the reading file.  Do you need to keep it or can you access it elsewhere if you need it later?  Should you file it for reference?  Should you forward the information to someone else?  Do it now.

 

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