Use the FAST Method to Organize Stacks of Documents
Even though we now communicate easily and quickly (and frequently) digitally, we still have to deal with a surprising amount of paper correspondence every day. Every time I think about opening a mailbox in my apartment, I am shocked to discover how many people and organizations try to contact me in what I consider to be an outdated way, but mail is still thriving. The problem is that paperwork—bills, medical forms, greeting cards, children’s drawings, etc.—can accumulate and become cluttered. Here’s an easy way to sort them quickly.
What is the FAST method?
I’ve heard about the FAST method of organizing paperwork on TikTok , but it’s also popular on organization blogs . Like many of the best organization systems, it uses an acronym designed to simplify the document sorting process and keep you on track as you work. There are two ways to interpret this acronym, but this is the best:
-
File
-
Action
-
Sentimental
-
Throw
If you are sorting different documents, this is the best approach because it leaves options for different classification types. (On the other hand, if you’re sorting exclusively work papers or bills, you might want to change the “S” from “sentimental” to “schedule.”)
How to use the FAST method
You’ll need some space for this, so clear out a table or desk and designate four spots for stacks. Use the four sticky notes labeled F, A, S, and T to help you understand what each space is for. Conversely, you can use a paper sorter like the one shown below, which will take up less horizontal space as you work.
Once you have space for all four categories, go through the stack of documents, making quick decisions about their content. Invoices are designated by the letter “A”, and confirmations and receipts are designated by the letter “F” and so on. If you’re contemplating something, use a method like the five-second rule to make a quick choice and stay efficient.
Once everything is in its pile, move it to its forever home, whether it’s a filing cabinet, digital storage, storage drawer, or junk. The goal here is to act quickly and efficiently, cutting through the clutter, turning it into more manageable piles, and taking immediate action. After all, it’s called FAST.