Organizing Paper Clutter with Jancee Wright

Organizing Paper Clutter with Jancee Wright

In today’s world of constant information and endless to-do lists, clutter—both mental and physical—can be a major roadblock to productivity and peace of mind. Jancee Wright, a professional simplifying and systemizing life coach and founder of Finding Your Fancee, knows this better than anyone. Her mission is to help women escape overwhelm, clear out clutter, and create purposeful spaces that fuel joy and creativity. In a recent episode of the Redefine Business Podcast, Jancee shared valuable insights on managing paper clutter—a problem that plagues both personal and professional spaces. Here’s how you can apply her wisdom to streamline your life.

Meet Jancee Wright

Jancee is a coach dedicated to helping women clear mental and physical clutter, reduce their environmental footprint, and organize their lives intentionally. Through her brand Finding Your Fancee and her #smallandsimplewins movement, Jancee inspires women to simplify their environments and systems. Her work emphasizes creating space for the things that truly matter—on purpose.

As a coach and workshop facilitator, Jancee teaches organizational strategies that tackle common issues like paper clutter, a notorious source of frustration for both entrepreneurs and everyday individuals.

The 5-Step Toolkit for Simplifying Your Space

Jancee’s approach centers on a simple yet highly effective five-step toolkit:

1. Clarify: Before diving into action, take a step back and visualize what you want your space to look and feel like. 
2. Simplify: Decluttering can sound daunting, so Jancee prefers to call it simplifying. This step involves assessing every item in your space—from papers and office supplies to books and course materials—and asking whether it truly needs to stay.
3. Systemize: Everything in your space should have a “home address,” just like your own residence. This makes it easier to find and return items. Use tools like magazine holders, file folders, pouches, and trays to organize papers and supplies.
4. Style: Organization doesn’t have to be boring. Jancee emphasizes making your space functional and visually appealing. A well-organized and attractive office setup inspires creativity and focus.
5. Refresh: Periodically revisit your system to ensure it’s still working for you. Life evolves, and your space should too.

The 5 Categories for Sorting Paper Clutter

One of Jancee’s most effective strategies for managing paper clutter involves sorting items into five categories using simple pop-up hampers or labeled bins:

1. Recycle: Papers that serve no purpose and can be discarded.
2. Shred: Documents containing sensitive information.
3. Archive: Important but infrequently accessed papers, such as tax records.
4. Action: Items requiring immediate attention.
5. Reference: Papers you need to keep handy for occasional use.

Pro tip: If you don’t have a shredder, stores like Staples and UPS offer shredding services on-site.

Practical Tips for Staying Organized

Here are some additional gems from Jancee’s interview:

• Weekly Mail Routine: Instead of checking the mail daily, Jancee recommends retrieving it once a week to avoid the constant influx of paper clutter.
  
  
• Year-End Preparation: Take the first week of the new year to organize your business and personal records. Set up labeled folders for the upcoming tax year to streamline document filing.
  
  
• Declutter Digital Spaces: Don’t forget to organize your desktop and digital files. A cluttered computer can be just as distracting as a messy desk.