Start Before You’re Ready: A Binder Strategy from the Field

I had the privilege of doing a training last week with a team from a California school district, and something really thoughtful came up during our conversation. One of the participants, Kathy, made an insightful comment that stuck with me: getting organized takes time. It was a small moment, but it really resonated—because it’s true. I’ve lived it, and I’ve heard it from so many of our users.

In that moment, it occurred to me that maybe we’re approaching the idea of the “perfect binder” the wrong way. Maybe the goal isn’t to finish the binder before sharing it—but to start it, and let it grow with your work. Just like any good system, it doesn’t need to be perfect to be useful. In fact, it’s the act of using the binder that makes it better.

So here’s the simple idea:

Start your binder and tell your audience that this is where your resources will live—even if it’s not fully built out yet.

Here’s why this approach works so well:

• You begin building new habits with your audience. Instead of replying to emails with individual attachments or links, you can share the binder link and let folks know they’ll find what they need there. Encourage them to bookmark the binder so it becomes their go-to resource hub.

• You shift how you work, too. As questions or requests come in, upload the relevant documents to the binder and share the link. No more version confusion or re-sending attachments when you spot a typo—you just update the binder.

• You build your binder organically. Over time, by simply responding to real needs, your binder grows. The structure fills itself in as you move through your day, curating and responding. Perfection becomes a process, not a prerequisite.

How to Get Started

1. Pick one binder to focus on. Choose something you already have a clear vision for—resources that are already scattered and being asked for often. That urgency will help you stay focused.

2. Think of your main tabs like a navigation bar. Label each tab by category or theme, and under each one, include a short note like: Content will be added here related to [topic]. This sets expectations and lets your audience know it’s a living resource.

3. Create an “Introduction” tab. Use a text/media layout and write a short message explaining the purpose of the binder. Then upload your organization or dept logo to the tab to appear along side your text. Let your audience know this will be their central hub for accessing resources, and that files will be added over time as you respond to their needs.

💡 Need a head start?
Here’s a  Template Resource Binder you can customize for your own project. Just re-label the tabs, replace the images, and adjust any placeholder text to fit your needs.

To make a copy: log into your account, open the binder, click on Options, and select Copy.

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This approach isn’t about doing everything all at once. It’s about making a shift toward shared visibility and easier access—bit by bit. Just start. Your binder will evolve as you use it, and you’ll be building trust and habits along the way.

🎥 Want to see how that binder came together? Watch the recording here.
🔖  Learn how to add your binder to your Fav Bar.
📅 Interested in a free consultation on building your team’s resource bank? Schedule a time here.