Resisting the urge to print

28 January 2009

This morning, I was checking out some genealogy resources online, part of my quest to jump-start my family history research, and I came across a list of websites I wanted to check out. I thought I’d print it out, then put it in a general genealogy file folder. I went so far as to click Print, but stopped myself before clicking Okay. It’s a list of websites. It really belongs in my Bookmarks, where I can easily access the list and just click on the website, rather than typing in the URL.

So I resisted. Instead I bookmarked it in a file called Genealogy. And somehow that felt big. I think I fear that I’ll not look in my bookmarks, despite the fact they’re fairly organized. I think it might be how some of my clients feel about filing paper. If they put it in a filing cabinet, they won’t remember they have it, so they won’t know to look for it. They’d rather keep it out where they can see it. And then they become overcome by piles.

I’m not really in danger of becoming overcome by piles, but I could pretty easily be overcome by files.

This afternoon, I downloaded a free ebook on creating vision boards, written by Christine Kane. (I’m only a little ways into it, but I highly recommend it. Get one yourself!) I started reading it and thought, “This is good. I should print it out.” Mind you, it’s 67 pages long. So I came to my senses. It’s perfectly easy to read on my screen and I can save money and space by reading it that way. Why would I print it?

Since I had two such forehead slappers in one day, I felt the need to post about it here. Next time you’re tempted to print out reading material (or emails), stop and think about whether it’s truly necessary. Perhaps you can read it on the screen or simply store it in your computer, using folders within Bookmarks/Favorites or folders in your email reader to make sure you can find it when you need it.

It saves money. It reduces clutter. What’s not to love?

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Comments

To stop my urge to print I have the default set to print to Adobe PDF. Most of the time printing it that way works for me. And it makes me have to think before printing off to paper.

Beth Dargis January 28, 2009 02:25 PM

Beth, that’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing it.

Janine Adams January 28, 2009 02:29 PM

I just looked at Christin’s website and am so impressed, I can’t wait to do my vision board tomorrow! Where to you find these precious nuggets of wisdom?

maureen January 28, 2009 06:57 PM

Have fun with your vision board, Maureen! There are so many great resources available at there, it’s hard to keep up. Christine’s blog is one I try to check regularly because she has so much to offer.

Janine Adams January 29, 2009 06:10 AM

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About Janine

Hello! I’m Janine Adams — a certified professional organizer based in St. Louis, and the creator of Peace of Mind Organizing®.

I love order, harmony + beauty, but I believe that the way that you feel about yourself and your home is what truly matters.

If you’re ready to de­clutter with a purpose and add more ease to your life, you’ve found the right blog — and you’ve found the right company.

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