Think stickers are just for kids? Science says otherwise. Discover why aesthetic appeal isn't just decoration - it's a legitimate productivity tool that can transform your goal-tracking success.
These days I am a bit of a magpie. I am irresistibly drawn to all things sparkly and shiny. Oh, and sticky. Yes, dear readers, I have a confession to make: My name is Mrs Cranky and I am addicted to stickers.
I seem to have developed a sticker-seeking radar of late. It doesn't matter what shop I'm in or why I've gone there, if there is a rack of stickers in the vicinity, I will be drawn to it like iron filings to a magnet, and I will be leaving with at least several packs. Sometimes the sticker packs are the only thing I leave with, because whatever I originally went in there for has been erased from my mind by all the pretty shiny, puffy, colourful, glittery things.
I really am a hopeless case. The chances of me making a full recovery plummet by the day.
But, as these things go, this is not a bad problem to have. Even Mr Cranky – who rolls his eyes every time I show him my latest sticker acquisitions – agrees that it is better to have a spouse who compulsively buys $3 sticker packs than an addiction that could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Anyway, the point is not that Mr Cranky is blessed to have me in his life and should thank his lucky stars on a daily basis, but that these silly little packets do for me what more sensible goal-tracking methods consistently failed to do: bring a bit of joy into the productivity process.
This is more than just another example of 'Mrs Cranky Weirdness'. Research consistently shows that aesthetic appeal is not only about decoration – it's also a legitimate productivity tool. Studies have found that:
Neuroscience backs up these findings, too, showing that aesthetically pleasing elements activate brain regions responsible for linking behavioural outcomes to motivation and positive emotional responses.
I don't want to write too much about the research here, because the point of this post is for me to waffle on for way too long about my sticker collection, but there are links to studies at the end of this entry for anyone who is interested.
Anyway, back to the important stuff.
When I first started tracking, I used random stickers, but since I discovered how many different shapes there are, I've started buying specific sticker sets for specific sheets.
Then there are all the stickers I need to buy for future tracking purposes.
By the way, did I mention that I like stickers?
Aesthetics doesn't need to start and end there, though. I print my tracking sheets on coloured paper, and I use different colours to track different things. For example:
My Inner Five-Year-Old's decorating demands aside, stickers and coloured paper have brought an extra bit of visual satisfaction to my productivity progress. When I place one on a tracking sheet, I get a little burst of pleasure. They make me want to continue my goals so I can place more. As far as I'm concerned, anything that convinces me to floss regularly or open my Latin textbook is a worthwhile investment, even if it means I can no longer use my stationery drawer to hold actual stationery.
I mean, if you look at it rationally, I am not indulging in excessive sticker acquisition, but investing in comprehensive motivational supply management. I should ask the tax office for a rebate on my stickers as they are necessary goal-tracking tools!
Dear Tax Office,
These stickers are clearly legitimate business expenses for my goal-tracking consultancy and productivity blog research. How else am I supposed to conduct proper field testing of visual motivation techniques? The dinosaurs and puppies are essential for morale management!
Can you imagine the agent's face?
Them: Ma'am, you've claimed $847 worth of 'motivational supply management tools'
Me: Yes, and I have extensive documentation that prove their effectiveness. Would you like to see my tracking sheets? Rexie can provide supervisory references. I request that you immediately amend my tax code to 'SME' for Sparkly Motivation Essentials.
OK, I think I have banged on about my ever-increasing sticker collection enough for one day. If any of you decide to implement pretty shiny, puffy, colourful, glittery goal-tracking for yourselves, I would love to hear about it, so leave a message in the comments and let me know how you're getting on.
Oh, and please share photos of your stickers.
Until next time,
Carpe skateboard! 🛹🦖
As promised, here are links to studies that support my claim that stickers are a critical element of any successful goal-tracking system, thereby proving that I am actually applying the scientific method and not just a barmy, sticker-obsessed old lady.
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