Why you should use sticky notes to improve your productivity 

Productivity doesn’t come naturally – but it isn’t your fault!

Our brains aren’t built for deep work. We’re hardwired to seek new information and believe we can multitask. 

Add technology into the mix, and you’ll have a recipe for disaster.

We’re addicted to it, and it’s terrible for our focus, productivity, and organization.

That means apps, trackers, and task managers are probably hurting more than helping. 

To improve your productivity, you have to go back to basics… with things like sticky notes.

When you use sticky notes for productivity, you’re gamifying your work.

Gamification is when you apply game mechanics and techniques to your work environment.

It taps into your desire for competition, achievement, and recognition, and releases the “happy” chemicals in your brain. 

Suddenly, work starts to feel fun and easy – which makes you work faster, do a better job, and, most importantly, enjoy it more!

In fact, gamification has been shown to increase engagement by 48% and happiness by 89%.

I tell you more about this idea in this video:

The best part about gamification?

It can be done in straightforward ways.

I’ll show you how to use sticky notes for productivity in the next section, so keep reading!

How to use the “Sticky Focus Game” to improve your productivity 

Using sticky notes for productivity by playing the Sticky Focus Game has changed everything.

I look forward to working – and have fun, work faster, and stay focused longer.

I’ve even built a habit around it and know I can fall back on it, even when I feel stressed.

And the best part? Using sticky notes for productivity proves that I don’t need technology to work hard, whether I’m at home or on the move.

So grab your sticky notes – let’s play.

I also teach you to play in this video:

Step 1: Look at your calendar 📅

Open your calendar and take an inventory of your time by identifying the number of open 60-minute blocks you have today.

Step 2: Lay out one sticky note per hour of availability 🕜

For every 60-minute block of time, lay out one sticky note. 

This creates what I call a “time currency.”

Just like a dollar represents a currency unit, the sticky represents a unit of your time. 

It just shows that 60 minutes of uninterrupted time is precious.

Step 3: Write down your most important tasks on stickies ✏️

Now, write the day’s important tasks on them, one per sticky.

If you have a task that will take longer than an hour, write it on two stickies.

Or, if you have a bunch of small tasks that add up to an hour, put them all on the same sticky. 

Then, lay them out in front of you in order of importance, starting with the most important tasks on the left.

Step 4: Set your timer ⏲️

This is when the gamification of using sticky notes for productivity really begins.

Set your timer for 50 minutes. Once it’s running, your first game has begun. 

If you work all 50 minutes without interruption, you win. If not, you lose.

So avoid distractions by silencing your notifications and shutting your door.

I promise you won’t miss out on anything important.

Step 5: Take a break ⌛

When the timer goes, you’re done!

It doesn’t matter whether you completed the task – what matters is that you gamified your work and entered a flow state.

Step 6: Reward yourself 🏆

Rewarding yourself tells your brain, “Hey, that productivity block was a good thing!”

And that’s what makes using sticky notes for productivity a habit.

So take the ten-minute break to do something you like, whether it’s self-care or talking to your neighbor.

For example, Carey and I have one M&M for every successful sticky.

Step 7: Rinse and repeat 🔁

Once the break ends, set your timer for another 50 minutes and start again.

Remember, it’s a game, so try to beat your best time or get a task done before the timer goes off!

The game isn’t the only way to use sticky notes for productivity. I’ll give you more tips next!

Other ways to use sticky notes to improve your productivity 

Here are a few other ways you can use sticky notes for productivity.

Write your to-do list on a single sticky.

We all know the power of a great to-do list – but writing it on a small sticky note will force you to prioritize even more.

The beauty of this is that you probably don’t have to complete them in a particular order – if it’s important enough to make the sticky, it’s important.

Then, stick it where you can see it. 

Some people like to stick it to their desk, while others go one step further and stick it to their monitor, where they can be sure they won’t lose sight of it.

Create a two-page to-do list.

The pages should be next to each other, with one labeled “To do today” and the other labeled “To do later.”

Write the tasks you have to complete today on sticky notes and place them on the “To do today” side.

Now, do the same for the tasks you can complete later.

When you complete a task, throw the sticky in the recycling bin. The ultimate goal is to have two empty pages by the end of the day.

Color-code your tasks.

Write your tasks down on red, yellow, or green stickies, depending on urgency (or whatever color you prefer!).

Then, place them somewhere you can see them – it’s a quick way to identify and focus on what needs to get done first.

Create a Kanban board.

Creating a Kanban board is another simple way to use sticky notes for productivity. 

A Kanban board is a visual way to manage your to-do list by splitting it into three sections: “To Do,” “Doing,” and “Done.”

Just write your tasks on the sticky notes, place them in the appropriate section, and move them as needed.

What’s next? 

There you have it!

A step-by-step guide to the Sticky Focus Game, our favorite way to use sticky notes for productivity.

Plus, a few other clever ways to use them.

Using sticky notes for productivity is a great place to start, but did you know that planning is also critical to productivity?

We’ll show you how to plan your most productive week ever with our free Winning the Week Worksheet:

Read more:

Best Productivity Courses & Certifications

Affordable & Ethical Ways To Outsource

How To Create A Productive Workplace + Team