Size Might Matter

After having to make room in my file cabinet for end of the year desk clearing off, I am starting to think that the bigger the file folder is, the less I understand my role with the organization or cause the file folder holds information about.  The groups that I passionate about leading?  I seem to be able to keep up with them with a minimum of back up info.  Why is that?  

I took a look at the voluminous folders in question and found lots of:

1.  We aren't sure or have forgotten why we are doing this, so here is some more forms, agendas, by laws, and minutes to somehow give us credibility documents.

2.  We-aren't-happy-with-the-direction-the-organization-is-going-and-we-want-to-know-what-the-leadership-is-"going to do about it" emails and correspondence.  

3.  Replies to the items from #2.  These replies need to be hard copies because electronic responses that are honest about the fact that the organization represented by the folder is dying and needs to go to status quo organization hospice will be circulated and taken out of context and used against you. 

4.  Misc. we aren't sure what we are doing, but we want documentation that we are doing it a-lot.

So.  Is it possible to conserve space in your file cabinet?  Maybe start with removing your largest file folders and see who misses them.  Then, start talking to the people who ask what happened to them.  Maybe you'll find that you are interested in leading the organizations the file folder came to represent once you connect with the person who thinks it's important.