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Using a checklist can help us remember important tasks and items. Consistency in writing style, marking completed items, and organizing the list logically are important. Prioritizing items and understanding abbreviations is also helpful.
Many of us fall into the trap of believing we can remember every step of a project or everything we’ll need for a vacation. Truth be told, using a checklist may be the smartest thing we can do for ourselves. It’s not always easy to remember 30 different grocery items or all the steps of preparing an elaborate dessert. By using a checklist, however, we can have a permanent record of our needs, usually in an easy-to-follow order. When using a checklist, there are several things to keep in mind.
One tip for using a checklist effectively is to create a consistent writing style. If you’re using a checklist to follow a process, for example, use complete sentences or at least noun/verb combinations. Each checklist item should be consistent with all other items:
1. Retrieve the suitcase from the closet.
2. Pack your underwear and socks.
3. Find the shaving kit.
4. Fold shirts and pants.
5. Close the suitcase.
All these elements combine in style. Consider how confusing you might be using a checklist like this:
1. Suitcase in the closet
2. Socks
3. Find the kit (shaving)
4. Shirt, pants. bent over?
5. Suitcase now closed.
When individual steps aren’t consistent and explanatory, using a checklist becomes much more difficult. If you’re writing a checklist for someone else, such as a servant or neighbor, it’s especially important to be clear and consistent.
Another tip for using a checklist is to provide a means of clearing items as they are done. When using a checklist containing numerous instructions or items, it can be very easy to get lost. Sometimes a long checklist can only be done in stages, or a particular step can take hours to complete. There should always be a method of marking completed items or at least noting a stopping point. When using a checklist, it should be clear to everyone which steps have been completed and which have not.
When using a shopping checklist, it can be helpful to write down which items are required and which are optional. Placing an asterisk next to critical items can help another user make better shopping decisions. If a budget issue arises, a clearly marked-priority spending checklist can be very helpful. The same is true when using a checklist for a DIY project. Required and optional steps can be noted if time or money becomes a factor.
Many people create a shopping list or chore list as needed, but not necessarily in the most efficient order. When using a checklist, it can be helpful to organize items according to a master plan. For grocery shopping, organize your checklist to match your usual route through the aisles of the store. Start with the first department you reach and work from there. A checklist should be organized in a logical way to avoid too much backtracking or omissions. When using a chore checklist, consider how long each task will take to complete. Eliminating less time-consuming chores first can open up more time for longer ones, or you could avoid mowing a lawn during the hottest part of the day or watering the garden too late at night.
It is often helpful to read all items carefully when using a checklist. You may need some additional tools or ingredients to complete a task next in the list. Even archiving a partially completed project can become a problem. A checklist is organized only as the person who created it, so try to be as complete and thorough as possible when creating one. If someone else wrote the checklist, make sure you fully understand any abbreviations, code, or jargon they might use.
