Confessions of a Post-It User

I admit it. Almost every time I have a thought that I need to remember I write it on a post-it or a scrap of paper. I have post-its and scratch pads everywhere - in the car, on my desk, next to my living room chair, in the dining room.

I know what you’re thinking! “An organizer should have a better system.”

The truth is, jotting notes on post-its and scraps of paper is a perfectly fine system for me, as long as I follow some simple rules.

Rule 1: Only one thought or action per piece of paper

Limiting myself to one thought or action per piece of paper or post-it means that when the note is no longer relevant I can toss it in the trash. If I have multiple items written then I’ll need to either cross things out and keep a messy, half-done note, or I’ll have to re-write the items I haven’t yet completed.

Rule 2: Always toss them as soon as they’re completed

This may go without saying, but there’s really no need to hang onto notes about things I no longer need (or want!) to do.

Rule 3: Keep them all together

While sometimes I’m busy and I’ll have notes scattered all over the place, I make time once a day to make sure they’re all in the same place. I keep scraps paper-clipped together on my desk and post-its on the wall next to my desk.

Rule 4: Keep them alive

I review my scraps of paper and post-its frequently (a couple to a few times per week). This enables me to make sure I haven’t missed something important, to put things that need to be done soon onto my calendar, and to toss things that are no longer relevant or have been completed.

If you are like me and find yourself jotting notes all over the place, keep doing it without shame! Just make sure you set some rules and guidelines so that they don’t get out of control. Feel free to steal my rules or make a set of your own.

Comment below if you have some creative rules that you already use or that you plan to implement.