Whew – talk about three absolutely incongruent topics!

Let’s be candid: even the terms “ADD” and “Mail” are difficult to get out in the same breath (note I did not say “male”). Sorting is not one of our strong points. And that’s what dealing with mail is all about. Heck, they even have a job description at the USPS that has the word “sorter” in it! I’m sure it is not filled by someone with ADD — unless they have a strong dose of OCD thrown in (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for those who have forgotten their alphabet soup definitions).

So when you throw in protecting your identity – locked mailboxes, dropping outgoing mail at the post office instead of your home mailbox, shredding anything with your name and address – well that’s tantamount to treason. And a recipe for yet another … failure.

Let’s fix part of that right now, OK? Shredding 101.

I have a coaching client who lets the mail pile up – literally. Even when he manages to sort it out, there’s a pile of junk mail that needs opening and shredding, but who wants to stop and shred a huge pile of mail that never should have made an appearance in your mailbox to begin with? It’s like a conspiracy that sneaks in to steal our precious time…ah, I hear a tirade coming on. Better stick with shredding.

Here’s a simple solution. First – buy a decent shredder, one that will chew up layers of paper without choking (even better if it eats plastic credit cards and CDs).

Second, stick it in a place that is either: right next to the recycling bin that receives the no-need-to-shred envelopes, papers, etc. OR in an easily accessible location in your office.

Third, leave the shredder plugged in and turned on ALL THE TIME. You will not waste much electricity and it will not wear out the shredder – most of the wear and tear on the electrical components comes from turning it on and off.

Then, when you sort the mail simply feed the shredder as you go. If the shredder is in another room, make a stack (aka pile) of shreddables, take it with you before you go on to another task, and you’re D-O-N-E (my favorite four letter word) and protected. Ta-da!

Now…where’s that shredder going to live? OK, where do you FIND that shredder? Or…do you have to BUY a shredder? Put it on the To-Do list! Now that’s another topic for the ADDiva!