Sticky notes (affiliate) or 3M Post-its(R) are more useful than just creating beautiful murals displayed on high-rise windows in NYC and helping kids learn to spell. They can be used effectively in your business. This post will discuss creative ways to utilize sticky notes (affiliate) to enhance your business productivity.
You may be wondering why do I need sticky notes for my business. There’s something about real paper that makes us either want to take action to remove the clutter or become so frustrated that we want to address it right away. Either way, using them is a good option to help you accomplish your tasks. So, let’s begin.
10 Ways to Use Sticky Notes
- #1: It helps determine a deadline.
- #2: Strategizing new projects with sticky notes.
- #3: Assign a color to each person’s responsibility on a project.
- #4: Bookmark sections or pages in planners
- #5: Moving activities from day to day in a planner
- #6: Distinguishing a specific file in a filing cabinet from all the rest of the papers.
- #7: To bring attention to a particular task to your boss or coworker.
- #8: Writing notes to customers.
- #9: Place important reminders using sticky notes on your desk.
- #10: Write down step-by-step instructions for different tasks.
#1: It helps determine a deadline.
Many years ago, I managed a consulting firm. I was responsible for managing the two secretaries and one shipping/project manager, and 10+ sales force and trainers. It was quite a task to ensure we got the material and the invoices out to the appropriate client. Our biggest issue was ensuring the project we received had a ‘due by’ date, so we knew the tasks’ priority, since we were not responsible for setting up the schedule. To rectify this, we created a priority scale and had the printing company print it on sticky notes (affiliate) (see an example below). This helped all the administrative staff know which project needed precedence.
The customized priority sticky notes scale had four letters:
- A (Needed to be done by the end of the day)
- B (Needed the project completed within two days)
- C (needed the project completed by the end of the week)
- D (no rush, whenever there is time.)
Each salesperson, trainer, and owner gave the administrative staff a project to place this customized priority sticky note on top of the project, or the project would be returned and not completed. We had too many projects going through the office that we couldn’t waste time tracking people down to find out the due dates. After starting this priority sticky note system, our productivity skyrocketed, and our stress level decreased.
#2: Strategizing new projects with sticky notes.
Different-sized sticky notes can be placed on a markerboard (affiliate) or chalkboard, and allow you to move them around to get them in the correct order for your next project. This tip works perfectly for new product launches or activities that require a specific order. Using different colors is effective when you need to subdivide larger tasks into smaller ones.
The standard sizes I like to use are:
- 2 inches x 2 inches
- 1 3/8 inch x 1 7/8 inches;
- 3 inches x 3 inches;
- 4 inches by 4 inches;
- 4 inches by 6 inches
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Some have lines, and some do not. Depending on how structured of a list you need, you may want ones with lines on them. But if you are brainstorming, you may not need lines.
#3: Assign a color to each person’s responsibility on a project.
In a group of individuals, making decisions can be a daunting task. The more people you have, the more difficult it is to know who should do what. So, try assigning a color to each one, and then, while laying it out on a poster board, cluster the different responsibilities in a particular order, going step by step through the process.
#4: Bookmark sections or pages in planners
If you have a planner and keep losing a page, get a smaller sticky note and write the section at the top where there is no sticky part and write the section name to keep it available for easy access.
#5: Moving activities from day to day in a planner
If there is a particular event that you need to do, but it is not a top-priority task, add it to a small sticky note, and if you don’t finish it on a particular day, you can move it to the next day. Easy peasy.
#6: Distinguishing a specific file in a filing cabinet from all the rest of the papers.
Have you ever wanted to find a piece of paper quickly and continue searching through file after file, hoping to find that one critical piece? Place a sticky note with the name of the document or folder on it and extend it above the other documents and folders. And, the next time you need it, it will be at your fingertips.
#7: To bring attention to a particular task to your boss or coworker.
This tip will help you convey your thoughts clearly and concisely. Just add a different color sticky note to the top of the paper and write the following in bullets. Hi, I need…. __________, _______ Thanks, ___________
#8: Writing notes to customers.
Have you ever had to remind a client of something, and they preferred it in writing, rather than risk forgetting? I like to have it in writing so my clients (affiliate) remember what is missing or what needs to be done before our next meeting. So, I created my customized sticky notes through VistaPrint. They are pretty affordable too.
#9: Place important reminders using sticky notes on your desk.
I have several reminders under my see-through plastic desk blotter
. Mine tends to move around on my desk (affiliate), so by using sticky notes; help me from getting my notes thrown off my desk (affiliate).
#10: Write down step-by-step instructions for different tasks.
Some years ago, I had a client who always forgot particular steps when doing tasks on her computer. To help her remember, we wrote down each step clearly and simply to remind her what she needed to do. It worked wonderfully so much, so she added even more notes.
Remember, sticky notes are visual aids that help keep you moving forward without missing a beat. No judgment. Use as many of them as you need. I hope these ideas inspire you to get things done more organized.
Here are some additional articles that discuss sticky notes and their applications.
Why You Still Need Post-It Notes
Creative Uses for 3M Post-It Notes
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