How to Use a Post-it Note To Do List System
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Looking for a new way to spice up your daily to do’s? Check out this Post-it Note To Do List system to help you keep track of things quickly and easily. It makes for a to do list that you can realistically complete.
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I’m not naturally one of those people who are able to track all their routines and responsibilities in their heads. I know those people exist. I’ve known folks who just know it’s time to make supper, run a load of laundry, feed the cat, etc. That’s not me.
I like lists. The actual act of writing the list helps me problem solve and organize all the swirling in my heads. After that the list serves as reminder of what needs to be done as well as a herald of accomplishment when I can cross that thing off the list.
Over time, I’ve developed systems that work well for me. Sometimes it’s paper; sometimes it’s in an app or online calendar. I find that every once in awhile I need to switch things up a bit to keep me alert and active. You can read about all the different ways I organize myself and my life as MOM in my book, aptly titled, Organizing Life as MOM.
You know how you can put a note on the fridge to remind yourself of some great truth and then after three weeks it’s part of the landscape that you ignore? That’s how my lists are for me. If I change their format every once in awhile, it keeps me on my toes.
Post-it Note To Do List
A few summers ago I tested out a Post-it Note To Do List system. I think I read about it in this book, but I can’t remember. The idea is to write your daily “to do’s” on a Post-it note. If it can’t fit on that itty bitty square, it can’t fit in your day.
Here’s a note I wrote to myself back in June.
Clearly I need to write bigger or buy the smaller sticky notes. I didn’t get very far on that particular day, though I did get to Walmart and make the pickles. You can read about that adventure here.
I’ve been tweaking this to do list system over the last month or so, and came up with a method of keeping it all together that I really like. I designed a larger to do sheet where I can jot down goals for the month and then break those down into weekly to do’s. The week’s stuff can be transferred to a Post-it note for a day’s worth of tasks.
You can see what it looks like here:
Since I first posted this back in the summer of 2014, I’ve put this baby through its paces.
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At the same time, you’ll get instant access to the Life as Mom Free Resource Library, including guides and printables for all seasons and holidays.
Download the FREE printable and see for yourself. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Real Post-it notes work better than the knock-offs. No, this isn’t a sponsored post, but I’ve observed that my “store brand” sticky notes just don’t stick as well as the real McCoy. Consider this as you shop and maybe snatch up a bunch of new Post-its during the back to school sales that are going on now. Get the 3×3 size.
- The section for “this week” is exactly 3×5 inches.
Unfortunately, I could not find Post-it notes that size, but I have tried cutting a larger one to fit. This is not as convenient, so I’ll be trying out 3×5 cards with a bit of double-sided tape on the back.Reader Laurie tipped me off that Post-it does, indeed make 3×5 sizes. I didn’t dig deep enough on their site, apparently. I found a 3×5 pad on Amazon. - Why do I want to adhere other bits of paper to this larger sheet? Well, I’m hoping that if I had 12 of this to do list printed out, I’d be able to track the things I need to do for a whole year. Each sheet of paper could serve as my tracking for the month. I could even plan out several months at a time with things I know I’ll need to do in that given month. (Wow, this is getting super serious and organized, isn’t it?!)
But wait, there’s more!
What if you had a PLANNER that incorporated all this beauty to help you manage all the things in a quick and easy way?
Over the last three years, I’ve come to love my Post-it Note To Do List system so much, that I worked it into the design of my very favorite organizing tool, the Print & Go Planner. The planner includes a master copy of the original Post-it Note To Do List as well an weekly adaptation that includes a meal planner. Whoo hoo!
I promise you will love this planner. Click here to learn more.
More Ways to Organize Your Day
What do you think?
I’d be honored if you chimed in the comments section. What do you think?
This post was originally published July 19, 2014. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Couldn’t find the download.
Hey Peggy, I checked my records and see that you received an email today with library details and how to access the download. You should be all set. Let me know if you have further trouble.
I was interested in the Post it Note to Do List – subscribed – but never received anything.
Hey Jenna! It looks like there was a small delay in its delivery. You should have rec’d access to the library this morning. Please let me know if you have further trouble.
I subscribed but still haven’t received the free post it to do download?
Hey Heidi, I’m so sorry for the glitch in the system. I just sent out an email with a link to our full library of free resources. Please let me know if you didn’t receive it.
SURELY SOMEONE HAS TOLD YOU OF YOUR NEW FAVORITE THING EVER…TESLA AMAZING “POST IT” NOTES…static, not sticky..move them, shift them, write on them, slide them around for a party trick…never fall off the wall, never fold awkwardly, never forget that you had a to do list because the to do list somehow stuck to the bottom of your shoe and got left behind in a random grocery store aisle…all the colors you want, all the sizes you didn’t even know you wanted!! your life will never be the same…
Never heard of those. Thanks for the tip. Did you buy them through the kickstarter?
This could also work for a menu. You could plan the meals for the month and buy ingredients. The post-it note would allow you some flexibility with the weekly and daily menus if your schedule or plans change. The monthly list would let you know what your options were for the week, and the weekly list would let you know what your options were for each day.
Great ideas!
By the way, I have actually been using your system for about a week now and it does work and it really helps me a lot!
Pam
I really like where you are going with this Post-It to Do System. I would really love it even more if there was an app designed to do this that had a feature that allowed you to put the date the item came onto the master list, then a date column for when you planned to do the task, then the app would move to your current week’s list of things to do, and then we’d need a column for the date of completion. This way, nothing falls off the list and you Are really accountable for what you at doing, when did you actually do it, and how close to the expected date did you come to achieving it. We Ned a coder! My hubs works for 3M so he liked your method just the way it is, but I think an app that allowed for storage of lists, managed dates electronically, and would automatically populate a specific time periods To-Do’s from the master list would be a game changer, for me anyway..
Thanks
Pam
Glad you like it! Coding is beyond me. 🙂
You are welcome! I love the repositionable glue, and you can get it pretty cheap at Joann Fabrics or Michael’s when you use the coupons…price compare to get the best deal…It’s also great for paper crafts, because it you position something and change your mind, you can always remove and reposition. Keep in mind, that sometimes that original spot might have some residue and remain a little sticky.
Just got three sticks for $2 something on Amazon. 🙂 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D32SO3W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00D32SO3W&linkCode=as2&tag=oflwtf-20&linkId=I2WRUMBMF4HW4WEF Not sure what your price is, but thought this was a good deal. #affiliatelink
Just another thought, I love using Elmer’s “Repositionable” glue sticks, then you can cut out your own paper and it sticks really well and it’s removable….for those wanting specific sizes.
Great idea! My husband just asked me if there was a post-it glue stick. I had a vague memory that there was and voila!
Nice idea, I like to change my to-do-list system every once in a while. As I am right handed, I would change the layout: Have the month on the left, the week in the top right, and the day in the bottom right corner. That way I can see the month while I write the week, and see the week when I write the day.
I’m right handed also, but i hadn’t considered that tweak. Thanks for the suggestion.