I've been working on my organizational system lately, and part of the plan has been to have individual index cards with particular chores on them, e.g. "back up computer." These then go in my Tickler file under the appropriate days. So far so good. But because the system is still under revision, instead of writing directly on the cards, I've been sticking a Post-It note on a card and writing on it, instead. You see, that makes it temporary, and I can replace it with a new sticky note if I want to modify it, only writing on the index card when I'm pretty sure I know what I want it to say.
Then I did some research. There's some variation—depending on where you shop, the quantity you buy, and whether you go for brand name or generic, plain or colored—but the cost of a Post-It note of the size I use is just about the same as the cost of an index card. It doesn't feel to me as if that ought to be the case, but it is. So while my system may, possibly, save a very small amount of paper, basically there's no point to it.
I plan to "sin boldly" from now on and write directly on the cards, feeling free to replace them as desired. Perhaps it will even make my organizational system seem a bit sturdier.
I am always shocked at how much post-it notes cost.
I am trying to embrace the idea of stuff not looking perfect. Write on the card, and if you have to cross something out and write over, then so what? My old self would want everything to look pristine, but there is something to be said for the work-in-progress look.
I do really like this idea for the tickler, but that would require to me to look at my tickler more than the "oh, Linda reminds me, I should look in my tickler", which is still in April!
Right. I am only now getting out of that stage, and so can't say much because I haven't been consistent long enough. Someday I hope to reach Janet's stage of not checking the tickler being as difficult as not brushing my teeth before bed.
I think having easy routine tasks like that in my Tickler is part of why I got used to checking it daily. It's so nice not to have reminders of daily things sitting around until I do them. I love having them tucked away in my Tickler! What I avoid for my Tickler is things that need a decision or that I'm prograstinating on. Those need to be in the Inbox until I can make myself sit and THINK about them! (And thinking is always the hardest part - really!)
