You have four filing cabinets full of paper. Most of it you'll never reference again. Some of it you might. The thought of digitising it is overwhelming.
Good news: you don't need to digitise the past. You need to stop adding to it. Going paperless is mostly about new habits.
Weekend 1: Set up the digital workflow
Set up the three-folder structure: `/Inbox/PDFs`, `/Working`, `/Archive`. Bookmark Flint tools. Set up cloud sync. Adopt the naming convention.
The digital infrastructure is the prerequisite. Without it, paperless doesn't work.
Week 1: Stop creating new paper
Every PDF you receive: process digitally. Every contract: sign in the browser. Every annotation: do digitally. Every share: by email or link.
Don't scan the old paper yet. First, stop adding to it.
Weeks 2–4: Habit reinforcement
The print-to-sign reflex is the hardest to break. When you catch yourself heading to the printer, stop and use Flint instead. Two weeks of conscious practice, then it's automatic.
Measure progress: count print jobs per week. Should drop sharply.
Months 2–6: Digitise selectively
For old paper you actually need, scan as you reference it. Scan on demand, not in bulk. Most paper you never reference; let it sit until you do, then digitise.
This avoids the bulk-digitisation project that most people abandon halfway through.
FAQ
What about important documents I still want on paper?
Keep them. Paperless isn't 'never any paper'; it's 'paper only when it adds value'. Birth certificates, original deeds, important wills — paper is fine for these.
How long does the transition take?
Habit change: 4–6 weeks. Full lifestyle adjustment (including old paper): months to years. The benefit starts immediately though.
What if my industry requires paper?
Some still do — certain legal, medical, government workflows. Comply where required; digitise everything else.
Do I need a scanner?
Helpful but optional. Your phone (iOS Notes, Google Drive scan) does great job for occasional scanning. A dedicated scanner is worth it for high-volume conversion.
Paperless is mostly habit, not technology. Set up the digital workflow in Flint and let the printer gather dust.