Selfreminders

Selfreminders are prompts that individuals create to cue themselves to perform a task or behavior in the future. They are designed to reduce reliance on momentary memory and to bridge the gap between intention and action. Reminders can be digital, such as smartphone alarms, calendar alerts, or app notifications, or physical, such as sticky notes, whiteboard cues, or written checklists. They are commonly used to support ongoing routines like taking medications, attending appointments, completing study sessions, exercising, or meeting deadlines.

The practice draws on theories of self-regulation and implementation intentions, which suggest that concrete prompts tied to a specific action and context increase the likelihood of initiation. Reminders can improve adherence and reduce forgetfulness, particularly when tasks are infrequent, complex, or competing with other obligations. The effectiveness varies with frequency, salience, ease of action, and user engagement; excessive prompting can lead to alert fatigue or habituation, and privacy concerns may arise with shared devices or data-driven reminders.

Best practices include making the action as specific as possible (what to do, where, when), keeping prompts unobtrusive but noticeable, and setting up a small number of high-priority reminders rather than many. It helps to align reminders with existing routines, allow easy dismissal or completion, and periodically review and adjust settings to maintain relevance. In addition, users should consider accessibility and privacy, such as avoiding sensitive information in shared contexts and using opt-out options.

Related topics include habit formation, implementation intentions, and digital reminder tools.