Warning: This article will introduce you to a very addicting habit, and encourage the sticking of sticky notes.
Whether you are a writer like me, or just an average boring person (I kid), we all have lists of things we have to get done – usually in the same day, condensed into a two hour period of chaos. More often than not, we will spend these two hours running around like the proverbial chicken who lost his head.
Not very productive.
But over the last few weeks, I’ve been experimenting with something so groundbreaking, it’s been all I can do to keep the U.S. Government off my back. … Obviously I’m lying since they have no interest in organization, but… you get the point. This will help you, and it involves using sticky notes in a way none have ever used them before.
My mom gave me a little sticky note book-type thing a few weeks ago (yes, she’s the one who starts all the good ideas), and because I hoard paper I took it, but had no idea what to do with it. The problem with sticky notes is they quickly become decorations, and don’t serve to remind us of anything.
Another flaw in the sticky system is the sheer mass of notes some of us would have to stick, given how busy we tend to get. Not to mention where we would go with so many.
But after one very hectic day in which I got nothing done whatsoever, I sat down defeated and pondered how I could have had so many plans for the day, yet got nothing done. Then, I opened up the sticky note book and decided, why not jot down a few things I need to make sure get done?
As shown by this beckoning cat.
Well, there were only four sticky notes and I realized I was going to run out of room, fast. But maybe not! Years of exposure to video games where your moves, spells, or what have you’s are limited to a certain capacity gave me an idea.
Only Work On Four Things At A Time
Yes! Four sticky note pads, four active goals. That’s it, end of story. Once you complete one goal and free up a slot, you can either leave it blank or add something else. But what does this do so special?
It keeps you focused. Four is a good number of goals. It prevents your brain from becoming overwhelmed with constant mental traffic signs pointing every which way. With what I call the Brain Book, you can have productive organization.
No cheating. Do not put notes under notes, and yet do not be lax with your Brain Book. Keep it full, and set yourself to those goals with a new sense of clarity.
In truth, you don’t need to use sticky notes. You don’t even need to use paper. Just pull up a file on your computer and jot down your 4 goals. Feel like proving me wrong, just for the sake of it? Fine, make it 3 goals, or 5. Either way, you will have a to do list that will not rule your life, or better yet, serve no purpose.
So there you have it. My simple yet effective way to conquer your chaotic goals so they serve you!
- Steven
Have you ever had a perfect checklist day? How about a to do list nightmare? Tell me about it in the comments section below!
Thats a good idea. I think I should do that. My to do nightmare would be trying to put stuff on the to do list you know you probally won’t be able to
I did that once. I put something on that would take months to do. Sometimes you have to remove a sticky note in shame…
This is a fantastic strategy. I just bought a notebook of sticky notes to do this. Thanks for the idea!
Glad you like it! It hasn’t failed me yet, so I doubt it will fail you.
I’m trying this strategy now and it works good