Context Check Lists
Several have asked for my context check lists. I keep this in my palm memo/outlook notes section. I've inserted a few comments. Hope you find this useful.
@Context Checklists:
@Agendas
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Subject: {Name} : {MM/DD/YY} {Agenda item}
- Agenda For (Outlook Custom Field) = Name
- Item Body
- Objective/Purpose of talking point?
- Reference Info?
- Deliverables?
- Due Dates?
- Follow-ups?
- Info Needed/Questions to ask?
- Delegation Checklist:
- Clear, specific task definition
- Due date
- Authority: Recmmend, Inform and Initiate, or Act
- Checkpoints for review
- Debrief
@Anywhere
This context is truely Anywhere, including the electronic dead time between closing the door and 15 minutes after take-off when I can't use my palm or other electronic device.
1 NA each on 3x5 cards in a moleskin cahair that I cary in my back pocket. (I also cary a reading file in my briefcase)
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- Subject: {Completed Action}
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of action
- Reference information
@Calls
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- Subject: {Name} and {Phone No}. re: {subject}
- Contact in my contacts list or cell phone address book?
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of Call
- Reference Info
- Deliverables?
- Due Dates?
- Questions to ask?
@Computer
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- Subject: e.g. Draft|RandC (Review and Comment)|Finalize {Filename}
- @Computer? Is everything I need to crank this widget on my notebook?
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of action
- Link to or fully qualified path name of any files
- Relevant notes re the action
@Deferred
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- Subject: {Appointment/Meeting Name} ({Location/dial in info, etc.})
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of meeting
- Agenda:
- Meeting Notes:
- Follow-ups/Next Actions
- Attendees
- Roles:
- Meeting Leader
- Note taker
- Facilitator
- Timekeeper
- Reference Material (stuff to bring, notes, links/filenames, etc.)
@Networked
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- @Networked? Is everything I need to crank this widget on my notebook or available via web/vpn?
- Subject: e.g. RandD|Email {Subject Matter}|File Expenses {trip}|Book Travel {trip}
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of action
- Link to or fully qualified path name of any files/web sites
- Relevant notes re the action
@Office
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- Is this really @Office? Could I do this in a less restrictive context?
- Subject: {Completed Action}
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of action
- File references (e.g. PF {project name}; RF {reference file name})
- Relevant notes re: the action
@Palm Stuff I can do anywhere I can use my palm...
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- @Palm? Is everything I need to crank this widget on my palm?
- Subject: e.g. Draft|RandC (Review and Comment)|Finalize {Filename}
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of action
- Relevant documents synced via docs2go
- Relevant notes re the action
@Wifi Next Actions I can do on my Palm/TX if Wifi is available
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- @Wifi? Is everything I need to crank this widget on my palm or available via wifi?
- Subject: e.g. RandD
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of action
- Relevant documents synced via docs2go
- Relevant notes re the action
- urls etc.
@Home
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- Is this really @Home? Could I do this in a less restrictive context?
- Subject: {Completed Action}
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of action
- File references (e.g. HPF {home project name}; HF {Home reference file name})
- Relevant notes re: the action
@Errands
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- Subject: {Location}: {Action}
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of action
- Reference information (e.g. item specs, size, brand, etc.)
- Store hours
@Waiting For
- Any pre-requisites? Is this really the next physical action?
- Subject: {Delegate} {MM/DD/YY}
- Item Body:
- Objective/Purpose of action
- Reference information (e.g. item specs, size, brand, etc.)
- Store hours
Projects
- Is this project in alignment with my higher altitudes?
- Could I delegate this to someone else?
- Can I move this project forward in the next two weeks?
- Subject: {Project Name stated as a completed}
- Item Body:
- Objective of project
- Purpose (Why do I want to achieve this; what does it mean to me)
- Action Planning: (list of next actions)
@Context {Next Action Subject Line}
- History: (list of completed next actions, project tracking, history and notes).
Someday
- Can I end the nonsense, renegotiate with myself, and decide to delete this now and forever?
- Is this someday maybe a project? If not do I already have a someday maybe'd project that this should be kept with?
- Subject: {Project Name stated as completed}
- Item Body:
- Objective of project
- Purpose (Why do I want to achieve this; what does it mean to me)
- Action Planning: (list of next actions)
@Context {Next Action Subject Line}
- History: (list of completed next actions, project tracking, history and notes).
