The following is a guest post from regular contributor, Rachel at Useful Beautiful Home.
Unfortunately the pictures for this post were misplaced and unable to be retrieved. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Did you know that October 30th is National Checklist Day in America? That’s right folks, mark your celebration calendar because this unusual holiday is only two months away! 🙂
While I don’t actually celebrate this holiday (probably because I just discovered it), I do write about various checklists I think others may find useful. Most recently I wrote about; Children’s Vacation Packing List and Adult’s Vacation Packing List, just to name a few.
Today, I’ll show you one more that keeps our household running smoothly… my Do Not Forget (aka Last-Minute Reminder) list.
I don’t doubt that you use a reminder list of your own but to make the most of it really depends on effective placement.
I put ours on permanent display and strategically placed it where we leave the house. Specifically, right in front of our noses. It’s literally the last thing we look at before heading out the back door.
Posting it openly works better than a sticky note buried on the kitchen counter, a notepad forgotten on the desk, or a slip of paper fallen on the floor and eaten by the dog.
You can always view more selections on my Pinterest “Clever List Display” for more inspiration.
In the end, I found this Martha Stewart Dry Erase Decal (pictured below) as a decorative choice that is both easy to install and low in price ($3.99).
I catch my husband’s handwriting on here from time to time. We’re talking about a man who’s made a list only a handful of times in the past ten years that I’ve known him! Something about the placement and convenience of this decal appeals to even the least likely list-maker in our household.
After all, one must remember his college glove when attending a baseball game. 😉
I particularly love a decal because the entire thing is dry-erase, extremely flat, and adheres to most surfaces. No holes in the wall or hooks to buy. Just peel off the back and stick it wherever convenient – instant gratification.
It blends in seamlessly with the door which makes it look more like a decor item than a reminder list.
I also appreciate the dry-erase factor rather than chalk which gets a little messy, especially when wearing dark colors.
While we live in a world full of technological advances, the basic pen & paper (or marker & dry-erase board) still work wonders for a lot of us visual list-makers. Certainly much better than a string around our finger!
A quick review of the list while walking out the door lets me know I’ve got everything. It’s not rocket science, more like an insurance policy for my feeble short-term memory.
We even use it for regular weekly outings like church or swim lessons. Mistakes happen, even with repetitive activities, so this handy item reduces unnecessary stress.
Since it’s posted on the door, I hide the marker off to the side of the door frame.
It’s suspended by a sticky velcro dot and keeps the marker out of reach for little ones.
Now that school is starting again (already?!!), something like this posted on your back door might be a time saver in the rushed mornings. Lunches, backpacks, homework, projects, sports clothes… all new routines that could use a well-placed reminder note!
So while we’re on the topic, anyone have big party plans for celebrating National Checklist Day this year? If so, I hope to be on your invitation list. 🙂
In the professional world, I’m a nurse by trade. But, around our house, I’m known as Mommy to our young daughter. My two worlds collided and began shaping into a blog. Useful Beautiful Home represents the hours I’ve dedicated to managing my household as efficiently as possible. I offer you motivation to keep your home healthy, organized, and welcoming. My goal is to share what I’ve implemented in my home to inspire you with fresh ideas and to encourage you to keep up the good work in yours!
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Dorothy says
When I have several physical things to take with me, I gather the actual items together. As I think of each item, instead of simply writing it down, I put it in a tote or in a box or in my purse. Then when I’m ready to leave, my “stuff” is already assembled and I’m out the door.
Here’s an example: I’m seeing a quilting friend today whom I haven’t seen in a couple weeks. I promised her a piece of fabric, so I put it in a recycled shopping bag. I ordered several cones of thread for her; when they arrived in the mail this week, the went into the bag. She e-mailed me on Monday and asked to borrow a tool; into the bag it went. Yesterday, I stuck the bag in my car, so now all I have to remember is to give her the bag when I see her.
I have a place on my landing strip for stuff that is going to a friend or family member. When I leave the house I check it to see what’s going my way.
For me this works better than writing a list and then gathering the items together at the last moment.
Linda@Creekside says
I’m all about the lists, Rachel! I’ve got FOUR of them going at any given time
http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2011/01/oodles-of-lists.html
This works for me! But I sure am crazy over that window and floor to ceiling blackboard …
Thanks for letting us know about October 30. A feel a post comin’ …
Rachel@Useful Beautiful Home says
Gotta love a good list! 🙂 Let me know if you post about Checklist Day.
Pam Miles says
I have a list on my wall by my exit door…I do love paper lists. When I finish the list I take a quick snap shot with my phone and then I have it with me at all times….it helps quite a bit. I have even used my email to help me remember something I might need …I have a draft saved and use that…
Thanks for all you do….I enjoy your suggestions!
Rachel@Useful Beautiful Home says
You’re welcome! I love your “hybrid” system of both electronic gadgets and traditional paper & pen. 🙂
sallyrider says
The one thing you should add here is:: take a picture with your cell phone.
Then your list can travel with you throughout the day for a quick reference of things to do.
Lizzie says
Wow! I love the idea of a dry erase board on the door when you walk out. I’m constantly jotting down things I need to remember on post-it notes, but those quickly get lost in my desk! The dry erase board is great mainly because it’s very hard to lose!
Wouldn’t it be great to have that whole chalk wall? Just think of all the lists you could write on it…