Working with Simplify
Working with Simplify is, well, wonderfully simple. We would start with a complimentary 30-minute discovery conversation via phone or Zoom. This would be your opportunity to ask as many questions as you’d like and for me to get a sense of your existing paper and digital landscape, what you’d like help with, and how you would visualize success. Then, we would roll up our sleeves and get started.
How involved you are in the work will depend on your comfort level. For paper files, we can work side-by-side or you can hand it all over to me and I will scan and file in a structure we build out together in advance.
The remainder of our digital organizing can be done remotely utilizing remote desktop software. So, whether we’re working from our respective offices in different neighborhoods in Seattle, across the state, or even across the country — together we can build you a new normal with space to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
Transition to the Cloud
Together, we will select a user-friendly, cloud-based file-hosting service — such as Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive — and create an account. We will build folders and filing framework in the cloud that makes sense to you, utilizing the logic of existing paper files or building from scratch. And then, the fun begins as we tackle your paper (see below)!
Minimize Paper Files
We will assess your existing physical desk/office environment (and beyond) — filing cabinets, stacks of paper, boxes of personal or business records, bills, receipts, insurance-auto-medical-pet records, family recipes, financial statements, appliance manuals, documents in your safe, etc.
Sitting side-by-side, we will go through all the paper, identifying what needs to stay and what can go. I will scan and file documents to the cloud and as we work, further building out your cloud file structure, ensuring naming conventions are consistent and digital files are searchable.
Once scanning is complete and you are comfortable navigating folders and documents in the cloud, your paper can be shredded.
Organize Digital Files
Next we will evaluate digital folders and files stored on your computer and elsewhere — on your desktop, your hard drive, in your temp files, downloads, and on external hard drive(s). Out-of-date documents will be deleted and those to be retained will be filed in the cloud.
And to set you up for future success, we will create norms for saving and storing future documents to your new cloud landscape.
Manage Email
We can clean out and organize your email — and eliminate the ever-growing number of unread messages.
We will assess your folder and filing structure, building out or cleaning up as needed. We will evaluate emails in the inbox — flagging those that require immediate action and filing messages to be saved for future reference — and we will move important documents embedded in emails to the cloud. Last, we will tackle spam, unsubscribing you from lists and blocking senders as appropriate.
Additionally, we can implement solutions to reduce junk email and separate essential messages from those that clutter your inbox.
Document & Protect
Document life's details: We'll create a simple inventory of household accounts, subscriptions, financial institutions, insurance providers, and any other information that would be helpful for loved ones/family in case of emergency.
Passwords: Whether we set up a subscription to a password manager or build a hidden document to keep track of the myriad of logins and passwords you maintain, we can simplify this often confusing element of today's online environment.
Reduce Paper Footprint
It's estimated the average American receives 41 pounds of junk mail every year. We can reduce the amount of paper coming your way by converting bills, financial statements, medical summaries of benefits, auto-pay statements, etc. to paperless, as well as setting up auto-pay for as many routine bills as possible. Finally, we can implement solutions to reduce junk mail.