Checklists
Organizing Tool

Checklists are a simple way to keep you on track and improve yourproductivity.

By breaking down the project or job into smaller tasks, you are making the bigger job more manageable.

When I am finishing up a set of Civil Plans I normally list out all the remaining tasks. These tasks are the smaller details that need to be completed to call the project done and be ready to go.

This way I have one piece of paper or post-it note with all the little items that need to be done by me or someone else.

In the rush of the deadline I don't want to forget some detail that is important.

So instead of one item called "finish Downer project" I would have a list like this:

1) Proof Existing Site Plan.

2) Proof Demo Plan.

3) Proof Details pages.

4) Proof Proposed Site Plan.

5) Type Specifications on pavement.

6) Design sidewalk grades.

7) Make 3 sets of all plans.

8) Prepare cover letter.

9) Deliver plans.

By making a list like this I ensure that all these get done.

Checklists work for almost any task you can think of. Some of the more obvious tasks are:

1) Grocery List.

2) Household or personal items you need.

3) List of things that need to be done for a household project.

4) List of things that need to be done for a work project.

5) Your goals.

6) Your workout.

7) Items you need to travel.

8) Items needed for your child's school.

9) Items needed for a party.

I think you get the idea.

You will automatically improve your productivity by just doing this one thing.

You won't forget things and you will start down the road of being an organized person.

In fact, it is impossible to be an organized person without heavily using this technique. It is the backbone of being organized. I think a lot of somewhat organized people just use checklists only. They haven't gotten to the point of using Planner Books, computer programs or other sophisticated methods. They just use simple checklists to make sure they are doing what needs to be done.

Lists are very important for the little improvements you want to make in your life. Normal, daily things do not need to be listed. Big things that you really want to do don't need to be listed that much either. You are inspired to do those things.

Listing the little extras will help to keep your life running smoothly. You will not forget those things and they will help to make gradual improvements in your life.

Listing activities to do, items, that will improve your life over time is the best reason to list.

For example I put an S everyday in my Planner Book. The S stands for Shoulder Rehab routine.

I had hurt my shoulder in December 2007. It was not until March 2009 that I bothered to list the S daily. I knew I needed to do something but it took over a year before I did anything about it. The first step was finding a shoulder rehab routine. The second step was actually doing it. But I did not start doing every day until I started listing it every day in my Planner Book.

It only takes a few minutes and now my shoulder is much improved. The point is that I did not do the routine until I started to list it as something to be done nearly every day.

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