The idea is really easy, because anything you need reminded of on a future date goes into your tickler file. Every morning, the day’s folder should be pulled out and the contents placed into your inbox or to-do pile, and whatever you placed there days, weeks, or months earlier is right at hand when you need it.
The 43-folder setup makes it so simple to set reminders for up to a year in advance. Each numbered folders stands in for a day of the month. Behind them, all the folders labeled with the months are arrayed, with next month’s folder in front. So, since today is November 9th, you would see folder 9 at the front, followed by 10-31, then December through next November. When I empty today’s folder, I’ll place it at the back of the numbered folders, leaving 10 standing ready to be pulled out tomorrow.
At the end of the month, the December folder is opened and its contents placed into the appropriate numbered days, and the emptied folder is placed at the back of the months. This creates a rolling cycle of folders, presenting each morning the folder with that day’s contents in it.
What goes into the folders is up to you, but clearly anything dated is a good candidate: bills, invoices, dated material to send out, to-do files, project task, and so on. Also add recurring events you want to remind yourself of – like watering the plants every three days – can be written on index cards or post-its. You empty your folder into your inbox, process the inbox, see the reminder, water the plants, and place the card into whatever the date will be three days later.
The hardest part about using a tickler file is actually starting it. Getting into the habit of placing things into the file, and then checking it every day to get them back out, can take a little getting used to. Eventually, though, using the tickler file becomes a habit. As you add more and more stuff into it, you’ll be more and more likely to check it, and as you check it more and more you’ll be more likely to put stuff into it. The two habits are mutually reinforcing, so after a while you reach a “critical mass” and the forgetfulness ceases to be a problem.
To get there, it really helps to keep your tickler file somewhere in plain sight (without being in the way). Desktop file boxes are perfect for this – generally under 12in deep, they don’t take up much space, they come in a variety of designs, and their open top means there’s not the slightest barrier to taking out today’s file.
Used consistently, a tickler file can become an important part of your day, popping stuff up for you when you need it, and keeping it out of the way when you don’t. In today’s all-high tech all the time world, it’s even a little reassuring: simple, decidedly low-tech, and effective.
Show and tell us how you are using your tickler file today!
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