The Digital Declutter Challenge
The average person wastes 2.5 hours daily searching for files (McKinsey study). This system can help:
1. The PARA Method (Tiago Forte)
Categories:
– Projects (active efforts)
– Areas (ongoing responsibilities)
– Resources (reference materials)
– Archives (completed items)
2. Email Bankruptcy Strategy
- Create “Old Inbox” folder
- Move everything there
- Start fresh with these rules:
– Unsubscribe from 10 newsletters daily
– Use “FollowUpThen” for deferred emails
– Implement the 2-minute rule
3. Cloud Storage Cleanup
Step 1: Delete obvious junk (screenshots, duplicates)
Step 2: Rename important files with dates (2024-07-Proposal)
Step 3: Use standardized folders:
– /01_Active
– /02_Reference
– /03_Archived
Essential Digital Tools
- Notion: All-in-one workspace
- CleanMyMac: Declutters automatically
- LastPass: Secure password management
Maintenance Routine
- Weekly: Process downloads folder
- Monthly: Audit subscriptions
- Quarterly: Backup then delete old files
Pro Tip: Digital minimalism isn’t about having less—it’s about having exactly what you need.
