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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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.
I Love this idea!!! So it just hit me though, how it would be amazing to use this same system when planning your homeschool year!!! I think this could really change the way things flow in my house… Now I just need to DO it!! Thank you!!
Thank You Again Jessica, This to do list has help me a lot in the past week, it helps me give a break to my brain, i let all the stuff the was wondering in
my head, rest in the sticky notes instead of my brain, its a big relieve.
I use Post-Its on my weekly calendar.
Actual appointments get written into the calendar on the required date. Any other tasks that need done each get their own Post-It. I use the little ones that are about 1×1. I then put the Post-Its on the day I think I’m most likely to be able to get it done.
Invariably, some of these tasks won’t get done when I want them to be done and will have to get rescheduled. That is now as easy as moving the note to the next best day! It’s been working so far but I’ve only been doing this a couple weeks.
Jessica – I found this post on pinterest and I’m BEYOND in love with this idea. I’ve been a lover of to-do lists and post-it notes for years and combining them to make such a simple and helpful to-do list is brilliant! I shared your idea and post on my blog today – hope that’s ok!
http://www.thesunnysideupblog.com/2014/08/post-it-note-to-do-list.html
Thanks for coming up with this! Such a great idea!
Thanks for a great post about the printable! I tried to leave a comment over there but blogger was being really finicky. Hero status?! I’ll take it. Thanks for your kind words. I’m so glad you like my new system. I do, too. PS. I found the 3×5 post-its on Amazon for a buck. I think one pad will last two years. 🙂
I may have to try this for at least a month. I’ve been converted to electronic planners finally, but there’s still a part of me that prefers paper and pencil! Thanks for the idea. :). I love your blog.
I do an interesting combo of digital and paper. I can’t just do one.
This is a great idea! I just started mine today. Thank you!
Love this!!!
One thought though. Wouldn’t you need to print 52 copies of this, since the week spot isn’t a post-it? Just curious as I prep to implement this in our house 😉
It’s in the notes, but not in the picture. I found 3×5 post-its on Amazon. Link is in the post. Then you only need 12 sheets for the year. 🙂
Hi – have you thought about laminating the sheet and using a dry erase marker instead? Just a thought. I love the idea that everything you need to accomplish should fit in a certain size space. That makes a lot of sense to my spacial learning brain.
I’m thinking of laminating but still using post-its. I’ve had problems with dry or wet erase markers rubbing off or getting wet. However, now that I look at my paper with all the stickies on it and my monthlong list, I kinda don’t want to make it erasable. I like seeing that I accomplished something.
My “system” is a little unusual, I make a list on the bathroom mirror. My husband will occasionally add to it before he leaves for work at 3am if there is something he forgot to tell me. With a little one potty training I’m in there a lot so I see the list all day long, and I can focus on what I will do next while the toddler tries. (I hate potty training). This also with accountability, because my husband sees it.
The Dollar Store has a lined yellow knock-off post it that sticks! and fits perfectly into the “this week” column AND two fit into the “this month” FYI for those who have the Dollar Store in their neck of the woods….
Great find! Thank you!