Go Paperless Today in 4 Easy Steps

12/2/12 5:24 PM

GO PAPERLESS TODAY IN 4 EASY STEPS

Lindsey C. Holmes November 7, 2012 Tweet

I revel in being paperless. Being eco-friendly is gratifying. I visit places like San Francisco and buy sushi packaged in cartons made of corn and say, Wow thats so eco-friendly! Im paperless, you know. Paper has just been a hindrance to my lifestyle. Traveling with paper files and books, and scrambling to sort paper receipts in airports, is no fun at all. So Ive spent the last four years of my life scanning and digitizing all of my paper, learning the ins and outs of GTD (Getting Things Done), Evernote and other productivity tools for the management of this paper, and have increasingly become more organized, focused and sane. In the aftermath of disasters like Hurricane Sandy, where people lost their homes and irreplaceable documents, I want to encourage you to go paperless. Here are 4 easy steps to go paperless: 1. Assess Your Damage: What types of paper do you have and where is it? Files from
http://tech.co/go-paperless-in-4-easy-steps-2012-11 Page 1 of 3

Go Paperless Today in 4 Easy Steps

12/2/12 5:24 PM

clients? Receipts? Bills? Sentimental items like greeting cards? Are your paper items organized in a file cabinet? Are they scattered throughout your home? Piled on top of your desk? There are applications and services that will help you sort and categorize your paper. Ensure that your paperless journey is not only easy, but productive. For example, Shoeboxed will not only scan your files, receipts, bills, business cards, etc., but they will also sort and label them by item. This is useful for finding your information quickly, and it will also help during tax time. Imagine being able to send your receipts organized by travel, dining, office, etc., to your accountant in one swoop! 2. Take Action: Make the decision to be proactive around your paperless journey, as paper definitely piles up! I recommend preventing the initial overwhelm by investing into ship to scan services like Shoeboxed and simply shipping your paper off. In this way, you begin with a clean slate, foregoing a 3-year long scanning project like I endured. 3. Store: Shoeboxed, OfficeDrop and others actually come with built-in storage for your documents, but they also integrate/play well with services that have additional features for your business, or to enhance productivity like Google Docs or Evernote. Select a service that you feel has good security for sensitive documents, has longevity so that you wont have to move your docs for a long time if ever, and that allow you to access your documents at will quickly.

4. Maintenance: Buy a portable scanner. I recommend a Doxie Go Scanner; its wireless, lightweight, can easily fit into a briefcase or a purse for travel between work and home, and even scans a great quality photo. Scan paper as soon as you get it. If you dont want to buy a scanner right now, visit your phones app store for an app that will allow you to scan (Search Keyword Scanner). Scanner apps allow you take a picture of your paper, detecting the papers edge for a clear and optimal scan.

Some Quick Tips for Paperless Success: Letting go of paper can be a bit intimidating, but you wont regret making this life change. Being able to access ALL of my information on the go, or collecting expense rehttp://tech.co/go-paperless-in-4-easy-steps-2012-11 Page 2 of 3

Go Paperless Today in 4 Easy Steps

12/2/12 5:24 PM

ports from my staff through our paperless workflow, has allowed me a freedom and productivity that has changed my life and my business.

Tech Cocktail Now Flying On American Airlines Craigstruck: Hire Trucks for Hauling, Pickups, and Deliveries

About the Author Lindsey C. Holmes

Lindsey C. Holmes is the CEO/Lead Strategist of LCH Business SM & Tech, a digital marketing firm based in Newark, NJ, with an office also in Washington, DC. Lindsey is the Evernote Small Business Ambassador, a self-taught developer, a proud geek, and mom of a shih-tzu named Banks. She spends her free time converting the masses to understand and apply the technology that will make their lives better. Follow her on Twitter @lindseycholmes.

http://tech.co/go-paperless-in-4-easy-steps-2012-11

Page 3 of 3