Time management in simple words. Checklists

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Have you ever forgotten anything? For example, swimming trunks in the pool or student? You turn the car around, scold yourself with the last words … I'm sure everyone had such moments. Today we are going to talk about a reliable means of “not forgetting” - checklists.

Have you ever forgotten anything?

For example, swimming trunks in the pool or student?

You turn the car around, scold yourself with the last words … I'm sure everyone had such moments.

Today we will talk about a reliable means of “not forgetting” - checklists.

What is a checklist?

This is a set of some actions that need to be performed. Or items to be taken. Plus notes, diagrams, tips.

The point of a checklist is not to make a mistake. Avoid force majeure and hassle. Get the whole routine out of your head and put it on paper.

Professional checklists

Checklists came to us from aviation. There, the cost of a mistake is hundreds of human lives.

Any pilot knows by heart what he needs to do before take off. Nevertheless, the pilots run everything according to special checklists. In this case, one checks, and the second checks how the first checks.

Checklists are used in construction, medicine and other areas where mistakes are unacceptable.

Aviation checklist, everything in English is the language of aviation:

Checklist before surgery:

Checklists in my life

I recently discovered them. Now I can't imagine how I did without them all this time.

Things I take to soccer practice:

And this is my monthly car checklist:

In case of a business trip:

Since every business trip has its own characteristics, this checklist is just a template to which I add or remove something.

This is my blog post writing checklist:

Everything is here: how to collect ideas, text editing, design and promotion.

Note that there is a lot of background information here. For example, here is an indication of what size the pictures should be in this or that case:

And here's my checklist for backing up and cleaning up my computer:

I do it once every two weeks.

These are all permanent checklists. Sometimes I create a checklist for a one-time event. For example, if I am planning a vacation.

How to draw up a checklist?

1. Reduce … This is not an essay. It's just a bunch of items. Clarity of wording! Simple dictionary! The task is to grasp the essence even with a cursory glance.
2. Delete unnecessary items. Include only what you can forget. For example, in the checklist for writing articles, there is no "Turn on laptop" item. I will do it without a reminder.
3. Highlight what is important. In caps or bold. The main thing is not to overdo it. One or two selections per sheet are enough.
4. Edit constantly. The checklist must be up to date. Have you seen my pencil edits? Here. When there are a lot of edits, I re-print the checklist.

Where to store it?

On paper, on your smartphone, on Evernote … Wherever you like.

You can even apply the checklist directly to the item. For example, I used to use laptop stickers. But it didn’t stick))

Total

Checklists are simple and convenient. It will save you a lot of time. And nerves.

Why isn't it talked about at school? Instead of stupid lectures like: "Have you forgotten your head?"

Write in the comments

What checklists do you use?