syl 9 | general life administration

My wife’s friend Alexandra Bloom has taken life by the rolodex and organized her entire life in less than a year. Her emails are direct, inspiring and practical. I’ve decided to post each of them for future reference. This set is about “general life administration”:

1. Tom and I made wills and health care proxies, and signed durable power of attorney forms. We bought a small, fireproof safe, and put them and all other important documents in it, and Tom then scanned them all so we have electronic records of them as well.
2. Created a specific time and day of week when all administrative tasks would be handled. Throughout the rest of the week I never think or worry about them.
3. Sorted through all old files, cleaned everything out. Figured out which documents need to be kept and for how long.
4. Created “43 Folders” system. You make 12 folders of the months, and 31 folders of all the days of the month. You keep the 31 day folders in the front, and you put any papers you need to handle in the correct day slot. So if we are going to a wedding on Sept 15, I can put the directions to the reception in that folder, and only see it on the day I need it. If you need to look at something in, say, November, you put it in the “November” folder, and then in the beginning of November you distribute papers to the correct day. Created one set of 43 folders at home, and one at work.
5. Converted my reference files to computer files, so that I can use my gmail account to search for any information I might need.
6. Cleaned out closets, got rid of old clothes.
7. Created and maintained a library list at New York Public Library. Every time I encounter something I’d like to read, I put it on my list at the library. I know I won’t forget I’m interested in the book, but I also don’t have to order it right away. That way I keep a steady flow of books, but am not overwhelmed by too many.
8. Removed us from every unwanted catalogue list.
9. Read over most of graduate school notes, took electronic notes on anything that was still useful, threw the rest away.
10. Went to a Red Cross emergency preparedness class, and we are putting together the recommended handy items to have around in case of various distressing possibilities.

“When the rain washes you clean… you’ll know.” ~ Stevie Nicks

Tagged as: soliloquies