Use Labels to Remove Guesswork

I’ve written quite a bit about labeling, starting with The Power of Labeling fifteen years ago. Labeling is powerful because it reminds not just you what something is for, but it’s also helpful for other people who can’t read your mind. This point was brought home to me yet again recently.

We did some upgrades to our apartment last year, and I got a new shower stall in my bathroom. It’s not  straightforward to figure out which lever controls which function — on/off vs. hot/cold — and there were no labels. But once I got used to it, it was fine. After all, I was the only person who used that shower.

My adult daughter slept over a few months ago and while we were out, she decided to use my shower. It wasn’t until the next morning, however, that I realized the impact of this. She had obviously struggled to figure out how to shut it off, and I ended up stepping into a freezing cold shower! I realized that it was important to label these controls.

I searched on-line to see if Kohler, the manufacturer, had any helpful labels. All I found was faucet labels, which wasn’t what I needed. So I decided to make my own with my Brother P-touch Labeler. I used clear tape with black lettering. I think it’s much clearer now which lever controls what, and which direction the lever needs to go to have the desired effect.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are there places in your home that could use some labeling to enhance communication amongst those who live there (or those who visit)? You don’t need a label maker to improve the situation (although many of us are suckers for a printed label). Some masking tape and a sharpie can be just as effective in most situations.