A STEP Command Central is a seamless system that holds your ideas, papers, thoughts, goals, tasks, and “stuff” in a way that works WITH your brain—so you never have to think about those items until it’s time to work on a specific task, and at that point, you can find anything you need within 30 seconds.
My dream? A STEP Command Central (“STEP” stands for Steps to Everyday Productivity) on every desk, because I honestly believe it will change the world.
The magic of STEP is that it helps you organize all your “stuff” into three simple sections:
In my home, all of that ends up looking like this:
Along with this:
Links to all my favorite products are below!
And then to learn how to actually use the system—or to find out about our Steps to Everyday Productivity program—visit our free training!
SECTION ONE—Things with which to engage daily:
Calendar
Franklin Planner (I’ve Loved the Daily AND Weekly Versions)
I currently use a blue compact binder. You can find binder options by going to https://shop.franklinplanner.com. A suggested search to find something like mine would be the FC Signature Leather Zipper Binder.
I love the “Seasons” or “Blooms” Compact Two Pages per Day Filler, but I also love the “Seasons” Compact Weekly filler. They have a variety of options, and you can search through the website to find one you would love.
FC Signature Leather Zipper Binder
Blooms Daily Ring-bound Planner
Plus a pouch for cash and credit card holders…
Franklin Planner Clear Zipper Pouch
Franklin Planner Business-Credit Card Holder
And *EnerGel pens. 🙂
Context-Based Next Actions List
To keep this in my Franklin Planner, I can use the Compact Pouch Pagefinder and Cards OR the Franklin Compact Progressive Task List. (I prefer these….)
Ring-bound Pouch Pagefinder + Weekly Compass Cards
Progressive Task List
SECTION TWO—Things with which to engage weekly:
Inbox
I love *this simple white inbox.
Current Projects List
I keep my lists and details in a digital product management software (free version for now) called Asana.
And I write all my projects for the month on a chalkboard that hands in my office.
You could also use a big white board.
Read and Review
Basket (just a simple one…)
Or, if you’re often on the go, you could use *clear magazine-sized envelopes like these:
SECTION THREE—Things with which to engage as needed:
Filing Cabinet
IKEA—not in stock. But *this is a similar one on Amazon:
Support Materials
*These cubbies are on Amazon (I recommend you purchase two…):
There are some other options on our Amazon Store and at Michael’s!
Tickler: Mine is currently out of stock, but you can use *any vertical desktop file holder.
Someday, Incubation, and Weekly Review Resources
I recommend having two. You can purchase inexpensive cardboard ones (a few dollars each), but I love *these wooden ones that come in a set of two:
This is the exact link for my white desk (people have asked!), and I also use *a riser from Amazon. (Because products change often, this exact product may not be available. But feel free to use it for inspiration as you look at your own desk choices!)
My very FIRST STEP Command Central looked like this:
I didn’t purchase anything new and simply used whatever I had around the house. Members of our community have even started with just file folders—or even cereal boxes instead of cubbies.
The goal isn’t to buy a lot of office supplies. The goal is to have a system you LOVE that helps you keep your mind, papers, email, tasks, projects, and “everything else” in order so you can live your unique purpose.
Enjoy!
And if you haven’t yet visited our free class, please sign up here:
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Good luck building YOUR Command Central! We’re excited for you!
I have listened to your free STEP training awhile back but it seems so overwhelming. I am just not sure where to start w/o getting too overwhelmed.
Tina, I am so glad you reached out. I totally understand that this can feel overwhelming. Maybe coming and joining our free training again would be helpful for you? Even just starting with a SIMPLE projects list and a Next Actions List could be a game changer. Have you tried those things yet? If you want to come to a class again, you can sign up at https://learndobecome.com/step . More resources are coming! xoxo
Oh my good APRIL! This is NOT at all boring!! We ALL need this! I just told a co-worker about your program and he’s scheduled his free class for Saturday – I cannot wait to hear how much he loves it! THANK YOU!
Thank you for coming up with the HOW-TO on this, because you definitely nailed it that I want to be organized, the information makes sense, but I just don’t know how! So please keep it going. Thank you so much!
(I’m typing this as I’m listening…)
Yes, please keep it all coming! I cannot get enough information on this.
Yes, before and afters!
Yes, success stories and struggle stories so we can all learn from everyone else.
Yes, share your heart because this is LIFE.CHANGING.STUFF!!!
I want to be one of your 25K!
Much love,
Laura
(p.s. MY baby Spencer was born in 2008 too!)
I’m loving listening to you and Eric. It’s so inspiring and I am slowly getting things in place! I’m wondering about the cubbies for support materials…what support materials do you mean? Thanks!!
I’m becoming (slowly) one of your 25K!
Cyd
Thanks so much for being here with us, Cyd! The cubbies support any current projects or routines that are active. I have cubbies for my family, home management, personal development, my business, my church volunteer work, etc. Does that make sense? Whenever you have booklets, papers, pamphlets, notes, etc. that you need when you work on something current, you go to the support cubbies. 🙂
Good Morning April
I listened to your podcast this morning. It was very very nice and i can tell you have a big heart.
I am a retired certified project manager (PMP) and will tell you that your organization methods are something all PMPs could use. There is a national organization and local chapters. The local chapters do have guest speakers. I imagine your paper filing, command center skills would be most welcome.
Now i have a question for you, the software asana,, seems to be something that may be usefule for task lists (not just projects) i have todoist and do not like it. I also use a sheet with your categories to carry around in my purse.
Is asana a good to do list product. I do not see a phone component to this? Thank you Cynthia Fogarty
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement! We are so grateful you are here with us! Asana is awesome for tasks. I put my tasks into the “My Tasks” area with deadlines, and you could also create a Context-Based Next Actions List out of it. They have a free app, as well!
Hi April, when using Asana, did you pick a business format? For example they give Marketing, HR, Design, etc. templates. Also, when I entered my gmail account they wanted my business email (I don’t have one per se).
Looking forward to starting the program.
Hi Linda! When I set up my personal Asana account I used my personal email address (also gmail). We don’t currently use premade templates for our projects. We’re excited for you to get started! Please let us know how we can support you moving forward.
Hi, I am currently trying to build my command central. But I am not sure what goes in the tickler files..? And The weekly review files?
Any help or examples are much appreciated!
Great question, Jennifer! The Tickler File holds papers, invitations, tickets, etc. that are related to a specific calendared event. Everything that goes in your Tickler will also be noted on your calendar. The Weekly Review files contain the documents needed to help you have a successful weekly review. We teach more about that in our Steps To Everyday Productivity (STEP) program. We’d love to have you join us for a free class if it would be of interest to you! We offer a few live classes each week and you can use this link http://www.LearnDoBecome.com/step to find the best day/time for you!
I didn’t see a link to the beautiful wire vertical file holder that you use for your tickler files. I really like it!
Thanks for asking, Merrilee! That specific vertical file holder has been discontinued. You can find several other options online or at any office supply store. Wishing you all the best!!
Where do you put bills to be paid?
Great question, Rosanne! Where you put your bills will depend on whether they are paid automatically or manually. You’ll want to be sure that you don’t forget them. 🙂 You could create a support cubby for them or they could go in your inbox to be paid during your Weekly Review.
My “issues “ are not paperwork as much as piles of actual stuff ! In bags, boxes, bins, and yes, piles, in every room of the house (not the kitchen !!!! I’m having trouble wrapping my head around how creating a Command Central on my desk is going to help with all the other crap!!
Welcome, Gina! This is such a great question. 🙂 We believe that once you start to organize your mind, the stuff will naturally follow. The Command Central will act as a funnel to help you know where to put things and will teach you how to break those big projects into smaller, more doable projects so that you’re not feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re part of our Mastery program, we invite you to pop into the Facebook group to see how others have worked through this same thought. Although it seems like the order is backward, it works! Put the program to the test. 🙂 Keep us posted! We’re thrilled to have you with us and we look forward to hearing your success stories!
Beloved, I think you might want to change one word in the above sentence about where you hang your project’s board:
“And I write all my projects for the month on a chalkboard that hands in my office.”
Please add the phrase: I ROCK! (you DO rock, you know?)
God bless. And happy Fourth!
Maggie, thank you for your kind words!
Hi–I’m in the Step sampler (whatever the smaller program is called), and I am setting up my command center. I’m stumped on how to label the support cubbies? I’ve spent some time trying to figure this out, so I thought I would just ask. I’ve cleared off my space and gotten 4 cubbies set up. I already have a different space where I have each child’s papers from school and incoming mail. I also already have a place where I dump coupons. Please advise! I want to get the papers under control!
Hi Rachelle! Thanks for asking. 🙂 April has cubbies for family, home management, personal development, business, church volunteer work, etc. Feel free to adapt, adjust, or rename as needed to match what you have going on in your life. If you notice that one section is really full, you may consider splitting that category. Likewise, if a cubby is consistently empty you may be able to combine it with another area. I hope that helps!
I’m in the STEP program and my main problem is tons of paper, mainly copies of things I thought important enough to read, keep, etc. In the past I have had an organized file cabinet but over the years I have had less energy and things are out of hand. I also realize that I rarely used what I filed away.
What questions or ‘rules’ should I use to sort my piles of paper so I can enjoy my golden years?
Deleyne, thank you for asking such a great question! We use (and love!) the Freedom Filer to help us with our filing needs. You can learn more about that at http://www.FreedomFiler.com, and as a member of our STEP program, you can find a discount code in Module 3. 🙂
Hi April,
I am just getting my Command Central set up, and was wondering what you keep in your filing cabinet?
Hi, Robyn! April uses the Freedom Filer (www.freedomfiler.com) for the files in her filing cabinet. There are folders for tax information, health records, home and vehicle information, and general resources as well. If you’re a member of our STEP program, there is a PDF in Module 3 that shares more. There’s also a discount code! Let us know if you need help finding it. 🙂