While helping clients organize their papers, they express concern that they’re doing something wrong when handling them more than once. What they’re unknowingly asking about is the OHIO (Only Handle it Once) rule.
Keep in mind, though, that OHIO is a guideline, not meant to always be applied. The intent is to Only Handle It Once, or as few times as necessary to completion.
Scenario 1
- While scanning the mail, you open an invitation with an RSVP to a neighborhood block party. You put the mail pile on the counter to deal with later. One touch.
- A couple of days later, you notice the invitation in the growing pile of mail and move it to the to-do pile. Second touch.
- Later, you think your spouse may want to go. You pick it up and put it on his desk. Third touch.
- After work, he hands it back to RSVP. You put it back on the to-do pile. Fourth touch.
- Your son is busy at college but maybe he’d like to see his friends. You pick it up to have the details ready, call him but get voicemail. It goes back on the to-do pile. Fifth touch.
- He calls back. You pick it up again and give him the details. He’ll think about it. The paper goes back on the to-do pile. Sixth touch.
- He texts back that he’d like to go. You pick up the invitation, RSVP for your family, then recycle it. Seventh touch.
Scenario 2:
- You get the invitation, text your husband and son with the details to see if they’d want to go. You put the invitation on the counter. One touch.
- They both reply, you pick up the invitation, RSVP, note the date and time in the calendar, then recycle the paper. Second touch—and done.
We don’t stop to think about how many times we handle the same papers — and how much time we waste. A lot!
Here’s a favorite productivity tip from David Allen’s book, Getting Things Done. His Two-Minute Rule states that if it takes less than two minutes, do it now. That doesn’t mean two minutes exactly, but just a few minutes to complete quick tasks. Brilliant!
Contact a pro organizer if you want to learn how to get more done in less time.
© 2019 Adriane Weinberg. All rights reserved.
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