Now, file any items according to when you need to access it in order to complete it on time. So

• A brochure that you need to review for a conference in June would be placed in the June folder.
• An invoice that needs to be paid by March 15 would be placed in the March 1 folder.
• A ticket for a concert on April 12 would be placed in the April 12 folder.

At the beginning of each day, take the folder for that day. Review its contents. Handle anything that you can right away, and place remaining items in your priority tray. Place the date folder in the next month. At the end of the day, if there is anything left in your priority tray, re-file it in the incubator. When the month ends, check the main folder for the next month and file any stray items by date.

If you don’t have a lot of follow-up tasks, one hanging file folder might do the trick. However, we strongly recommend the incubator system. Try it for 30 days!