Changing Someone’s Behavior With a Sticky Note

Summary

• When I started at 23, I felt I showed too much emotion, whether it was excitement, anger, sadness, fear, or anxiety.
• To manage this, I wrote a sticky note that said "be neutral" and placed it on my computer.
• This small act helped me greatly by reminding me to maintain a neutral demeanor on calls.
• It taught me that significant change doesn't always require a major event; sometimes, a simple sticky note can make a huge difference.
• When helping someone change a behavior, focus on future behavior rather than past mistakes.
• A useful hack is to have them create a sticky note with one word that cues the desired behavior and place it where they will see it often.

Video

How To Take Action

Suggestions for Implementation

Stay Neutral

• I would suggest implementing a "be neutral" mindset for calls and meetings. Just like I did, write "be neutral" on a sticky note and place it on your computer. This small reminder can help manage your emotions and present a more balanced demeanor.

Use Sticky Notes for Behavioral Cues

• A good way of promoting personal growth is to use sticky notes to remind yourself of desired behaviors. Choose one word that represents the behavior you want to adopt, like "calm," "focus," or "prepare." Place these sticky notes where you will see them frequently, such as on your computer or mirror.

Focus on Future Behavior

• When trying to change a behavior, focus on what you want to do in the future rather than dwelling on past mistakes. For example, if you want to be more punctual, write "on time" and put it somewhere visible. This helps reinforce positive change without the weight of past failures.

Low-Cost, High-Value Actions

• Sometimes, small changes can have big impacts. Implementing these simple actions doesn't require much money or time but can bring significant improvements. For example, setting visual reminders is a quick, cost-free way to steer behavior positively.

These steps are low-cost, easy to implement, and can bring substantial changes in both professional and personal growth. The sticky note strategy is a straightforward yet powerful tool to keep your goals and desired behaviors in sight and mind.