There was a time when - just like the majority of human beings on this planet - I used to say: ‘I know!’ I didn’t see the need to write simple things down, simply because they were so simple. Pardon the pun, but wait till you hear about my bloopers caused by my being so sure that there was absolutely no need to write a checklist. Blooper galore: I missed my flight because I failed to turn my alarm clock on.
AT WORK AND AT PLAY
In the workplace, as well as in your personal life, realize the power of a simple checklist.
You don’t agree? Imagine a pilot not going through his checklist, just because he has flown the same plane through the same route thousands of times. How about not writing yourself a reminder, and then failing to pick up your laundry - just when you had to dress up for a cute date that evening?
BAD, WORSE AND WORST
Here are my top three No-No’s at work.
l What could be a bad situation for a professional presentor? Failing to fully charge your laptop and forgetting to bring your power cord. Oops, that happened to me.
l Worse, if you make the same mistake with your cellphone and charger. You guessed correctly. That happened to me too.
l Worst, when you forget your lipstick. Why? Ladies, making a presentation or facilitating on spotlight in zoom with bare lips is our worst nightmare - when we’re all made up and dressed to the max. Remember: YouTube is forever!
THE ONE-AND-ONLY DAY
Before leaving the house, I actually touch these items to double-check that they are in my handbag: Keys. Cellphone. Driver’s License. Because the one-and-only day you forget to bring your license is the day the traffic enforcer notices you’re a bit over the pedestrian lane.
THREE THINGS
Try this right now. Write down three unpleasant things that happened because you said ’I know’ and refused to write a checklist. I have a feeling you’ll come up with more than three.
ü Start writing your checklist in the Notes section of your cellphone.
ü Encircle your Top Three things to do each day.
ü Put a check mark to indicate Done every time you accomplish a task. It makes me feel like a winner when I do that. Try it!
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
By now, you realize the power of a simple checklist.
ü You easily see what you have to do.
ü You save time instead of having to remember stuff.
ü You can delegate urgent tasks.
In plain language, you can get more things done in an efficient and effective way. Bonus: less stress.
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Vivien Mangalindan. Public speaker. Humorist, satirist and social commentator. Broadcaster, podcaster and talkshow host. Certified: Mental Toughness Coach, NLP Practitioner and Mental Health First Aid Responder. vivienshowandtell@gmail.com