Post-It Note Euphoria
This is not a little post, this is a BIG post, about Post-it notes. Sorry, bit of a pun there. Similar to my Ode to Silence. I also would like to convey my pure joy for this fantastic organizing tool (Disclaimer: there are not 101 ideas, it’s just the endless possibilities could easily reach 101).
If I was on a desert island, and could only have two things, it would be my voice recorder, followed by an endless pile of sticky notes (I hope they can stick to trees and sand!).
Somewhere along the line, I started using them, and then using them like I was the Queen of Post-it note land and the villages, farms, trees, people and animals were were all governed by sticky notes. Sorry, my brain took a bit of a detour there.
Seriously, I rock these things. If there is a hall of fame for users, add me to it. I’m going to show you all the ways I depend on them – daily.
Table of Contents
- First, some trivia
- Instant reminders
- Organizing and sorting paperwork
- Tech support ticket system
- Conclusion
First, some trivia
Fun Fact: Post-it prototypes were constructed with yellow paper because it was the only scrap paper available at the time. The color has since become the product’s signature.
Fun Fact: The initial launch failed, until the company gave away free samples. 90% of businesses that received free samples re-ordered. –Ideawake.com
I was banking that the creator had add/adhd, but that was not the case. It was just a scientist who’s initial experiment didn’t work out. But I betcha it was those businesses that tried them had some ADD/ADHD flavored minds working hard. The employees quickly discovered its worth in the workplace.
Instant reminders
I am sure this is the original premise of the Post-it note, a quick idea, put it up in a place you can’t miss it, and chaos is diverted. In my house, when I randomly remember something, I INSTANTLY write it down on a sticky note and IMMEDIATELY slap it on to the refrigerator.
I’m the Queen of Post-it Note Land, a total Hall-of-Famer.
–Renee’s Rabbit Hole
If it’s not on the refrigerator, it doesn’t get done. I’ve been working hard to get the rest of the family to do the same because it just plain works.
Not only my refrigerator, but my front door gets in on the action. I slap notes on it, too. If I have to remember something when going out the door to work., it trips my mind. If it’s super important, I will stick a note in my car. I can’t take any chances of forgetting.
I even staple a sticky note around my purse handle. Especially when I have an errand I need to run that day, or on the way home. I’m not embarrased about attaching sticky notes to purses, I just can’t understand why the rest of the world isn’t walking around with yellow paper on their purse straps. Maybe they haven’t read this article yet 😉
I’m not kidding when I say it’s a hit of dopamine when I feel in control of my world. For someone with ADD/ADHD tendancies, making me feel incompetent, Post-it-notes make me feel proud of myself!
Organizing and sorting paperwork
I am a scribbler, frantically writing, taking notes, capturing thoughts. It’s very Rain Man of me. It all leads to enormous paper piles. Surprisingly, I am not overwhelmed. If I wish to keep my notes, I paper clip the relevant ones together. Then, with a bold marker, write on the sticky note the main thought of the scribbles. My brain loves big and bold letters, especially capitalized! Pair it with a sticky note and my mind locks it in.
If you are faced with a massive pile of papers, I suggest you conquer and divide, using this system.
Similarly, I use sticky notes on my piles of tax papers. I like to add a sticky note to each section of papers, like charity contributions. This approach is very soothing to my brain in an otherwise potentially overwhelming case. Dare I say “spiritual”?
Tech support ticket system
This is not random, this is real. I have tried everything to figure out a systematic way to intake support requests at my job. I work as a tech person for a nonprofit with 30 staff. Luckily, I’m on my own and don’t have to fit into someone else’s system that doesn’t work for me.
I hesitated using sticky notes. I had a close friend who counted on them pretty hard as the athletic director of a high school. He had a lot of moving parts being responsible for the athletic schedule with other schools. Someone talked him into one of those fancy planners, he had to take a class and everything to understand how to use it.
I secretly felt sorry for him, because I felt he found his system that worked with his brain, but because of peer pressure, picked up the planner system, instead.
I get it, if someone else replaced him, they had to understand what was going on for his very important job.
OK, back to me.
My Keep It Simple Ticket System for Tech Support
I first started by scribbling the staff requests for help onto a Post-it note, and then ended up with a big pile of post-it notes, with no action taken. I tried digital ticket systems, spreadsheets, etc. No luck.
Through trial and error, I ended up with a binder in the office that had clear, plastic pages in it with tabs. I placed urgent sticky note requests on the front page, and sorted the other notes out accordingly. I could easily dictate that sticky notes move to the front page at any time.
I just happened to find these transparent plastic tabbed sheets at the bottom of the office supply cabinet. Looking closer, I found that they are Wilson Jones 55965 View Tab Paper Dividers, 8-Tab, 8-1/2-Inch x11-Inch, Multi if you want the same system I’m using.
The thing is, my work is divided in two parts: fires to put out NOW, and maybe someday problems. In the maybe someday category, I may be asked a question by staff, but don’t immediately know the answer and they don’t immediately need one. But I still need to keep that request someplace.
I make the usual, “yeah, I’ll look into that!” comment. They might be surprised when a month later or 6 months later I come back with an answer. This system has allowed me to do my job in the most efficient manner possible. The simple prioritizing system has helped me get things under control. Not only that, but staff trust that even the smallest request is heard.
One last thing, I do jot down the date I made the brief note. That helps me realize how long I’ve let that request sit. In my line of work, answers often present themselves (eventually). Rather than trying too hard to get an answer and waste my energy, the answer could pop-up in conversation with someone, be related to another issue I fixed, or just a lightbulb moment when the fix occurs to me.
I’ve never told anyone about this system before. I hope someone reading about it here can benefit from it.
Conclusion
I get so inspired when I listen to how others hack their brain, like being a super user of Post-it notes. If you have a unqiue way that you use this tool, let me know in the comments below!
#inthistogether –Renee
