Kathi,
Our house is being overrun by sticky notes. I’ve tried to teach my kids and wife not to use them for everything but they won’t listen to me. I thought perhaps there are some standard rules to help decide when to use sticky notes. Please help my family get un-stuck.
Kent, Rancho Santa Fe
Kent,
Here are a few tried and true sticky note guidelines.
Don’t use sticky notes:
•To record phone messages, they tend to fly away. Use a spiral notebook kept by the phone for all messages.
•To label computer discs. They get jammed into your hard drive or lost before you have a chance to use them.
•To record reminders of daily activities or projects. Have each family member maintain their own to-do list that is always kept in the same spot.
Do use sticky notes:
•To compile quick lists, such as groceries or errands which can be placed temporarily on your to-do list.
•For writing positive affirmations to each other.
•To create spontaneous hide-and-seek games for holidays, birthdays, etc.
• To attach to the back of a document to be faxed with the fax number noted so you won’t have to look up the number again.
• As a repetitive messaging system. Pre-write common messages such as, “at yoga, be home at 6 pm,” “walking the dog,” or “pick up the drycleaning.” Keep these notes on the inside of a cabinet door for easy access.
Kathi is a professional organizer, image consultant and event planner based in San Diego California.
Please submit your questions to: [email protected].
San Diego Professional Organizer
