Lessons from Linus’ Blanket

Do you often find yourself unable to find a document, unsure of where you placed or misplaced it? Do you spend a lot of time on the road or bringing work home and back — only to find out you don’t have what you need with you?

Try designating one folder as your “Linus’ Blanket Folder,” named after the character in Charles Schultz’ Peanuts cartoons who couldn’t go anywhere without his blanket. In addition to your normal files, set aside one folder of a unique color or design. In this folder, keep any papers, documents or notes that are pressing. Bring the folder home each night, in the car and on business trips. When items in the folder are no longer pressing, be sure to remove them — otherwise, you’ll be carrying around quite a load.

SOURCE: Todd Raphael, Workforce Online, January 8, 1999.