The Checklist
I’m a big fan of checklists and having procedures to glue all the todo lists and checklists together. I find procedures and checklists especially useful when it seems like all has been thrown into chaos. Following are a few tips to help you best utilize checklists.
Portability
Make sure you are not tied to a specific location to utilize your checklist. For example, if you have some checklist software that you use on your computer, be sure it either syncs with your mobile device or print copies to carry with you.
Flexible
It should be easy to re-order, add, edit and delete items on your checklist. If its a chore to manage your checklist, there is a good chance you’ll ditch the system.
Digitize
Use a computerized system to maintain your checklists. Even if you use a paper based system while traveling, take some time to synchronize each day with your digital system. Some advantages are: quick re-ordering, search easily, integrate with other systems and the ability to transfer among various electronic devices.
Automate
Learn the system you use to manage your checklists. Discover the shortcuts and learn how to automate tasks. The time you spend learning these shortcuts now will save hours over the long term.
Review
Make sure to regularly review your checklists objectively. Things change and you may actually become less efficient following old methods that are no longer optimal. Think about new tasks that could be made more efficient using checklists.
How do you utilize checklists to keep productive?
Tags: Productivity