I’ve wanted to start a meme for some time now and just haven’t been able to think of a topic that would really interest me and my readers that hasn’t been done before. But with my desire to become paperless in 2008, and my huge need for some great tips, I’ve decided to start a meme on “How to go paperless,” or “How to be paperless.”
Here’s how it works.
I’m going to tag five people to help me start this meme. If you’ve been tagged and are willing to participate, write a post listing what you do, or ways you know of, to become paperless. Shortcuts, tips, tricks - whatever you feel would be helpful. You can write as much or as little as you want. Then, provide a link back to this page so that I can keep track of all the tips and compile them at the end, and a link back to the person who tagged you. Finally, tag 1 to 5 other bloggers you believe could and would contribute to the meme.
The last time I participated in a meme, my Technorati ranking went from around 25,000 down to 7,000 something. So everyone who participates benefits.
If you’re a reader who doesn’t have a blog, but would like to add your tips, just list them as comments on this post, or one of the linked posts. If you’re a blogger who hasn’t been tagged but would like to participate, please do so. I want this to be fun and include as many people as possible.
To throw the first pitch, here’s my list of tips.
- Contact your credit card companies and sign up for online statements. This also works for your cell phone, utilities companies, and just about any bill you pay monthly.
- Contact your bank to sign up for online banking. Most banks have this setup in an easy format these days, and even though our local, and very rural, bank didn’t have a clue at first what I was talking about, they eventually came around and I can now transfer funds easily. The most difficult part was getting it set up. If you’re in a larger metropolitan area, you’ll probably have an easier time of it.
- Start using a word processor to take notes. When I’m reading a book and learning something new, I like to take notes as opposed to just underlining text in the book. Taking notes helps me remember the information better. I used to do this on a legal pad, but then had to save that paper and usually had trouble finding the concept I was looking for when I needed it. By taking notes electronically, I can now pull up the document and do a search on the keywords – very handy.
- I keep very few catalogs on hand anymore. Instead, I shop online. The prices are usually lower because you get the latest markdown and most companies are constantly sending special offers, like free shipping and returns, for ordering online. In fact, I’ve found that since most people and companies want to go paperless, there are all sorts of special offers for doing so. I’m excited to hear what else is out there.
- I haven’t done this yet, one of my readers gave me this idea several days ago, but I would like to have it done by the end of this month and that is – scan in all of my recipes. This is going to make me weed out a lot of items I don’t use anymore, which needs to be done anyway. Also, since I download a lot of recipes from the Food Network, I’ll now instead print them to pdf and store them in my Recipes folder instead of printing them out. Even if I print them out to use in the kitchen, I can then throw that paper away. Which actually, makes me wonder, isn’t there a way to avoid that step as well? Hmmmmmm . . . . . maybe someone on this list can help me with that!
In that regard, here is who I tag:
First up is Rob over at Paperless Undergrad. Rob, you’re my hero. I’m counting on you for 20 tips and 20 tags, k? Seriously, this is a great site that I personally need to, and plan to, dive into it very soon. Hopefully, I’ll come out an expert. But if I’m not back in 5 days . . .
Next up is Christine Kane who, I know, shares our passion for a clutter-free existence. So tell us Christine, how does an accomplished musician and performer keep paper at bay?
I figure Aaron Potts over at Today is that Day should be able to help us out – being a guru of personal development and all. Tell us, Aaron, how much paper do you have in your office?
Karen Lynch at Live the Power always takes a positive spin on things. I know I can count on her for some motivation and inspiration.
And last but not least, I tag Ananga Sivyer at Living by Design, who always has great advice on how to live better in many ways.
So that’s it. If you’ve been tagged but have never participated in a meme before, it’s just that simple: Give an intro paragraph listing the person who tagged you and this site. List your tips, and tag someone new. It doesn’t matter how many tips, or how many you tag, but the more the merrier. I know that four of the five bloggers I’ve listed above have participated in memes before so you could also get great examples from their posts.
Thanks in advance to everyone who participates. I know this will be fun and I look forward to hearing from you!
Until next time,
Have a joyous, paperless day!
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Technorati Tags: How to go paperless, How to be paperless, paperless, Motivation, Education, Inspiration, Success, Writer, Speaker, Consultant
Posted under Motivation, Success
This post was written by Debra Moorhead, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Coach on January 7, 2008
Debra,
I’d be delighted to be a part of this, in fact I’d be honored to (it was actually that ‘hero’ comment that swung the decision really though :o). I should warn you though that I’m slap bang in the middle of the final week before my dissertation is due so it may take me a few days to get around to doing this. Rest assured I will though….although I’m not sure of reaching that 20 + 20 :o)
Take care and good luck
Thanks, Rob! Take your time; if there’s one thing I understand these days myself it’s being delightfully overwhelmed. Thank you for agreeing to participate. I’m looking forward to your post.
Next time you need to tag someone, let me know and I’ll be glad to help you out.
Thanks, Jason M. Blumer
Consider yourself tagged then, Jason - I am honored!
I read about your meme at CHrisitne Kane’s blog. I would like to recommend http://www.catalogchoice.org. It is a free service that allows you to opt out of recieving unwanted catalogs. Very simple to use. Takes only minutes to set up. Then with the click of your mouse one less catalog crowding your mail box.
Monica,
I saw your comment on Christine’s blog as well and I LOVE that idea! Thanks so much for letting us know about that - I am going to sign up today. I guess because I live in the middle of nowhere and order a lot online, I seem to be target for mail-order companies. I get between 10 and 15 catalogs a day, but I never order form them because - HELLO - I order online. I might peruse through a catalog from a company I normally buy from, but I still go online and order. They just don’t get it, do they.
Anyway, I had no idea that a service like catalogchoice was available so thanks again for sharing that. I can hardly wait to compile all the great tips I’ve gotten.
I appreciate you!
Hi Debra-
I have been reading your site since I discovered you via the paperless meme. I even signed up for the RSS feed!
I am glad that you like Catalog Choice. I especially like that they keep track of which catalogs you’ve declined, let you nominate/add other catalogs to their list, AND most importantly report those companies that violate the request after 10 weeks.
Continuing in the paperless theme: I noticed that you intend to take your notes electronically. Are you going to handwrite your notes first and then transcribe them? And, are you going to type while reading?
I ask because, as a sales rep, I am always taking notes during customer visits and then later having to create trip reports which are then submitted to the home office electronically. It is impractical to take notes on the lap top while sitting face to face with a customer. So, I write and then transcribe. Needless to say this is a huge time sink as well as wasting paper. I am perpetually behind in reporting…since this is not the mechanism our company uses to assign tasks and get work done; and the reporting becomes redundant.
My question (finally): Have you or your readers had any experience with the digital pens like Fly Fusion or the one made by Logitech that capture notes as you write on special grid “paper” and then get uploaded to a computer via USB? I would be interested to know if anyone has found these tools useful.
Thanks,
Monica,
Great questions and insights. I, too, am interested in the digital pen.
Anyone?
I do take notes in Word as I read. I still mark up the book pretty good as well, but I like having notes and ideas in an electronic format that I can search on later. And it makes it easy to copy and paste later for articles or books I’m writing.
As for taking notes in front of the customer. I don’t know what your physical situation is when you’re doing that, but I have for several years now pulled out my laptop and taken notes. I still make eye contact and develop rapport, just like I did when I was taking paper notes. Many of my colleagues do the same thing and we all agree that it was really just a matter of overcoming that paradigm of believing that a laptop was somehow going to take the “human” element out of the sales call. What we realized is that, we are still human. The laptop simply replaces the pen and paper. I’ve never once had anyone get offended, in fact, just the opposite - they are usually impressed and these days, it’s almost expected.
I encourage you to try it - if it’s physically possible - just once and see how it goes.
Thanks for your comments and we’ll follow up on the other stuff later.