The power of checklists - revisited

I'm now overseas again, visiting customers and getting most of our 2011 contracts negotiated and in place before wrapping up 2010.

 

I have previously posted how having a checklist is handy, almost essential for some tasks that need to be done regularly without you needing to think about what you are doing. They are also useful if you need to do something quickly, and haven't got time to fully assess the situation.

 

I had one of those moments the evening I was due to fly out for this trip. I had left the office early, and was home about to pack my suitcase, when I suddenly realised that some of the documents I required, including print outs of my tickets were missing. I could have probably remembered most of the items, and print them out again at home, but I know I had a lot of stuff together in one file, and could not remember every single item that was included. I was bound to miss something.

 

Despite having not yet started packing properly, I made the snap decision to jump back in my car, go to the office, retrieve the file and then return home to pack and catch a cab to the airport. This unplanned visit to the office cost me approximately 80 minutes which I had previously planned to use to pack for my trip at home.

 

After having been to the office and back, I was now walking into my house with approx one hour before I had to be leaving for the airport, and I hadn't even really started packing for this two and half week trip overseas, apart from getting out my suitcase, and checking that I had sufficient clothes ready to pack in my wardrobe.

 

So did I make it?

 

Well I'm typing this from my hotel, so yes I did. I grabbed my trusty business travel checklist, opened up my suitcase, and just went for it! At first I felt stressed, but as I ran through the list, I could see it coming together, and by about half way through I could relax a little, but without slowing down. I simply grabbed every last item on my list, ignoring anything that I knew would not be necessary due to the expected weather where I was visiting, throw everything in my suitcase and carry on, without having to think about what else I might need. I closed the suit case and then had a quick shower with a few minutes to spare.

 

When I first started travelling, I used to take a full day the weekend before I was due to leave in order to pack. As long my clothes are freshly washed etc, I know I can now do it in well under an hour if pushed.

 

I hope I don't have to rush like that again, I normally like to have a little more time to dawdle when I pack, but now I know I can if I need to.

 

It wouldn't have been possible without my checklist, and I probably would have arrived only to find I was missing something really important.

 

Are there any regular tasks that you need to do, that could benefit with a checklist?

 

Later.