Someone was visiting my home recently and commented on the light switch labels we have...I have always done this in every home we've lived in, because I get confused! So it's just a natural thing to label the things that confuse me so I won't make the same mistakes over and over. Here is a photo-- click it for a larger version.
It's like I am always saying-- I am organized because I am LAZY! I do not want to do things the hard way. I am always asking myself, "How can I do this better, how can I do this faster, how can I not do this at all?" Click here to read an article I wrote for Lifehack.org on this very subject.
Are there things in your home that confuse you? Are there mistakes you keep making? How could you eliminate the problem? Let us know here in the comments what you are doing to save yourself time and frustration.
I did the same thing... but I just used a new Sharpie, thinking I would eventually replace the whole flip switches with something new and more appealing like Decora. That was 13 years ago. I still stop and read which is which. It is also helpful with switches that operate outdoor things like garage power, gutter defrosters, etc. but in those scenarios the labels are "on/off".
Great tip and a true market opportunity.
Posted by: Jon King | March 13, 2008 at 09:07 AM
I have had unlabeled garage door opener switches in my garage since buying the house 11 years ago. We **always** hit the wrong switch to open or close the wrong door! You would think I'd give up and label them... Maybe now I will. :)
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | March 13, 2008 at 02:45 PM
why not label the back of the phone or tv remote controller? Place label on the back so you know what room they go back into? That used to be my prob.
- John
Posted by: John Trosko | March 20, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I loved your article, you are correct, organized people are organized because we are lazy, we hate wasting time and energy.
Posted by: Phyllis Harb | April 07, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I did this very thing several years ago, in my first attempts at getting organized, and it became a family joke--sort of. My hubby still calls me Ms Organized. I'll never hear the end of that one. I might label the outlets in my house now...
Posted by: Charity | June 23, 2008 at 08:39 PM
Ok I thought I was organized until I saw this site. Fabulous and I absolutely love the lightswitch idea. I have lived here for 2 years and still can't figure out which one is which.
Posted by: Niki | July 25, 2008 at 07:57 PM
I have labeled so many things but would have never considered this. We just had guests visit last week and they were so confused. I just spent 5 minutes now all 20 downstairs switchplates are labeled. Great idea, thanks!
Posted by: Tammy | August 25, 2011 at 04:52 PM
That is great, Tammy! Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Posted by: Lorie | August 26, 2011 at 08:45 AM