Sticky Note Compass: Staying Focused and Grounded

Since the beginning of my career, I’ve relied on a simple habit to stay focused and grounded: writing short notes on yellow stickies. I paste them on my computer monitor, so they’re the first thing I see when I start my day — a constant source of daily inspiration and guidance. Some of my favorite reminders include:

• Be humble, patient, and persistent. 

• Stay agile and aggressive, passionate, and inspiring.

• Pay attention to details.

• Choose the smartest people to execute and stay out of the way. 

• Make each other better — your team’s success is your success.

• Capture and preserve tribal knowledge.

• Celebrate customer wins — they are your wins too.

• Take bold risks. Don’t fear failure; it’s part of the journey.

Perhaps one day, these notes will form the foundation of a book on automation and control. For now, they’re the compass that guides my work every day.