File...Don't Pile: A Proven Filing System for Personal and Professional Use

by Pat Dorff

If you have ever watched the stacks of papers, magazins, clippings, and projects pile up out of control, File...Don't Pile will provide fast, easy practical advice. More than a collection of random hints, this handy guide presents systems of organization for every conceivable type of household paper. Topics covered

-How to cut through the clutter-the 5 step solution
-Choosing the right paper-control system for your needs
-10 questions to determine whether to save a piece of paper
-Categorizing, tab systems, coding systems, indexing, cross-referencing
-How to plan for growth and expansion
-Keeping files current and useful-the 4 step maintenance plan
-Creating and using a personal business file

Plus comprehensive systems for organizing mail, greeting cards, a Rolodex, newspapers, and magazines, coupons, and much more, including sample file headings for a wide variety of useful subjects. File..Don't Pile is the fast prescription for anyone drowning in household paper.

Genres: Self Help, How To, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 1986

Reviews

[Janene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be great for the person who still enjoys clipping articles from newspapers and magazines, and saving every handout they receive from school or church. For anyone who loves to physically save information JUST IN CASE they may have a use for it down the road. I am not that person. It also screamed to me that it was written for the do-it-all woman who never says no to a volunteer opportunity. While reading it, I often found myself thinking that the information superhighway internet has definitely changed some things about how people view what they need to save.

I found her cross-referencing system completely overwhelming, maybe because I never would hold onto enough information to have to cross-reference it. Maybe it was just to illustrate a point, but an article about Egg Cooking cross-referenced to another file for Omelets? Argghhh! Seriously, I began to wonder if this author is in love with paper. I guess you would have to be to write this book.

Don't get me wrong, the system she outlines is very practical, and could seriously save someone who may be buried by their paper piles. I'm just saying that for me, it mostly confirmed that my current system is working just fine, especially in light of how much time and effort it would take to start using hers.

I did especially like, however, two of the closing chapters. Getting Through Each Day had some fantastic ideas on keeping the day-to-day paper under control. Also a very good chapter on what kind of personal records and paperwork you would most need in case of an emergency, where to keep originals and extra copies, things of that nature.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

While now may seem out of date in the digital age, I started using this for my work filing which is some reference information, some projects and some employee information. It works like a charm and have used the process for 7 years now. I've also adapted it for my computer files. I keep my indexes on the computer for both and print when needed. It helps that when I have an employee file on my desk that I am working on and someone comes into my office, I just shut the folder and no one knows what I am working on. Stops those rumors of "Bill is in trouble. I saw his file open on the boss' desk."

For the digital portion, I start my file folder names with a number. Here is my home version: 1 Photos, 2 Finances, 3 House Items, 4 Music, etc. Then for the sub folders, I apply logic to the titles. Photos are by year and then by month. I have sub folders in the months of trip locations or major events. All are easily searchable. For music, I break those out by genre or era. 1 1980s, 2 1990s, 3 Alternative 90s, 4 2000, etc. You get the idea.

Also, applied this to Pinterest. All the boards for recipes start with "To Cook:" followed by food type. Everything for travel starts with Travel. You get the idea.

Read this book after you figure out what paperwork or files you what to organize. Adapt the advise for what works for your needs. It is not just for magazines.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good suggestions on filing, although I probably won’t change my whole system.
These methods would be especially useful in the information sections of my files.
I like the idea of using a paperdex folder at the front of the file to keep track of the folders in the group. The folders are numbered in order and the contents are kept in a master file. You look up the subject in the paperdex and then go to the corresponding numbered folder. You just add numbers as you add subjects. You don’t have to worry about file labels or alphabetizing. Everything is done in pencil, so it’s no problem to get rid of files either. I can’t quite get over not using headings to describe the contents of the files though.
Interim files were something that I was already kind of doing - the baskets in the bar area for bills that need weekly attention, and receipts, and the drawer that holds things that can be forgotten temporarily but not necessarily forever. And the files on top of the desk (calendar, Quicken, inventory, etc.)

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book 30 years too late. It would have been useful in pre-computer/pre-internet days.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't remember how I came across this book but since I'm forever on the lookout for good organization books I decided to read it. I should have known from the introduction it wasn't going to be a relavent book. The author talks about clipping magazine articles and craft ideas. As an example she talks about having a relative die and being able to quickly go through her files and find religious quotes on death she has saved from the newspaper over the years quickly for the funeral. (A strangle example in itself.) This book was written before the Internet so the type of filing she was doing is completely off base for the modern woman. Her filing system would be the most convoluted and difficult way to sort files that I could imagine. This book would make a great gift for grade school room mothers circa 1975.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would have been very helpful if I was just looking to file all of my paper. It would be great if my paper mess were all recipes, magazine articles and such. Most ofmine is mail and I still can't figure out what to do with it. the method she suggests sounds great, I might give it a try for our family files. It just want' quite what I was looking for.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really needed this book! I can pretty much control the messiness of day to day life, but somehow paper escapes me! This book gave me some good direction for my piling tendency...

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

W-hat I most remember is her cooking plan. I'd like to read it again.

[Lauretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book totally transformed my approach to filing hard copy materials

[Debra Ramage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. If only I could get my act together and actually do it.

[Jeanne Nichols · Rating 2 out of 5]

A run of the mill book explaining how to set up and use a filing system.

[Jim LaSalle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in 1986 "File... Don't Pile" predates the wide-spread use of home/office computers for record keeping and deals only with circa 1990 paper data (that's why I gave it 3 stars.) The totally paperless work place has not arrived at my office and I still must deal with a large amount of personal and business communications/forms. The "File... Don't Pile" system is great for managing these documents. Combine "File... Don't Pile" method with a spreadsheet (I use Excel) front end and it becomes awesome. Had it been updated for the digital office I would have given it 4 stars. Pat Dorff's book is an easy read and well worth your time.

[Libbeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read this I decided to stick to my own systems. If I ever found myself landed with a heap of hard to categorise cuttings and paper clutter that needed cross referencing then this would be the book I might turn to. As it turns out, my system must be working, as I was recently asked for, and found, a two year old receipt in one minute including the hike up to the attic to the file cabinet.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author presents a simple, workable method of filing paper. Now do it!