Write on your Post It upside down.

I write on my Post It notes upside down. Why?

I noticed one day how frustrating it is to try and read them when they keep flipping up. So I used that “flipping” to my advantage, and turned them upside down to write on them.

Now, when they inevitably start curling up, it serves to help me see them better.

Left Post is “upside down” and right post it is the normal way

Obviously this post is not all about writing on Post It notes.

It is about seeing things differently. Being open to the possibility that everyday things we use, may have other uses, or could be used differently than expected.

Here is a short story of what I mean.

I was picking up in my bathroom after another floor soaking bath session with my kids, when I got frustrated with my bath mats. Why do they make bath mats so heavy, fluffy, and not very absorbent. I was upset with the mess. So, I had started using towels instead, but that wasn’t right either. They would tangle when walked over and ultimately were too big and not absorbent enough!

As I walked through the aisles of Costco some days later picking up needed supplies, I picked up another set of dish mats for laying my dishes on. A light went on!!!

These were perfect! They were big enough to stand on, highly absorbent, but light enough they would not bog down my washer or dryer, and could be washed frequently! Not only that, they were inexpensive and I could have several sets to change them more frequently!! It was perfect!!

So now, my dish drying mats from Costco are also my bathmats! My life got a little easier that day.

There are so many times in your day you may see a need that is not being well served by your current product or item. What I want you to do is just start paying more attention to those moments. Start seeing if you can solve these frustrations with an easy adjustment or substitution.

Here is another quick example.

We all have a storage area for paper towels, cleaning supplies, office supplies, etc. I was no different starting out in my twenties and even into my thirties. Somewhere along the way after refilling the toilet paper under the bathroom sink and over the toilet, from the supply closet, I was just so tired of walking back and forth to the different bathrooms. I angrily just tossed the toilet paper packages under the sink.

Almost immediately it hit me that I had been making more work for myself by storing them somewhere other than where they are used….the bathroom….not a storage closet somewhere in the house!

So from now on, whenever possible, I store things where they are used. Copy paper and office supplies somewhere in or very near the office. Toilet paper and the small bathroom trash bags in the bathroom. Paper towels in the kitchen pantry. I even have a set of cleaning cloths and all purpose cleaner bottles, one set in each bathroom, and a set for the kitchen. I just don’t fool around any more!

So think outside the obvious pattern or use for something!

Definitely pay attention when you are having a moment of frustration…it may very well be a moment of inspiration hiding in plain site.

And for goodness sakes…write on your Post Its Upside Down!

Hugs.

See how nicely the upside down Post It curls to be more visible!