Frugal Trader over at Million Dollar Journey tagged me about declaring a public goal. Since this a good meme I’ve decided to play along.

For my public declaration I’m going to deal with something that has been a torn in my side for the last decade or so: my file system. You see the system sort of works. I can find things, but I tend to avoid filing things because I don’t have a good system developed on how to deal with the paper that enters my house. The end result is I have stacks of paper everywhere and I’ve actually lost a few items over the years because of it.

I’ve avoided this for a while, but here we go. For my public declaration I’m going to gut my file system and build a better one (including habits) to make my life cleaner and easier to find things. I will finish this goal no later than 1 month from today (so December 5, 2007).

My goal will consist of the following tasks:

1. Research a new system that will work better and then decide how I will build my new system by Nov 12, 2007.
2. Clean out my old files and ensure I actually need to keep those documents in the first place.
3. Reduce incoming paperwork by signing up for electronic bills where possible.
4. Discuss all of this with my wife so the entire project doesn’t fail.
5. Have new file system in place by Nov. 26, 2007 so that I can trail it for a week and report back to all of you on Dec. 5, 2007.

In order to make sure I keep to task I’m going to do a weekly update on this until I complete my goal.  Now comes that part that people fear, who will I tag with this meme.  Relax I’m not going to tag anyone specific here, but I will leave it an open invite to anyone else that wants to share a public goal.  If you don’t have a blog feel free to use the comments on my goal posts to update everyone on one of your goals.  I love to hear from anyone about any goal you might have.