Not Checking Time/Context Checklists

[furashgf]

I am not having any trouble checking my context lists when I'm in that context, and I don't have too many. However, there are a class of tasks that I consistently miss: reviewing checklists when an event occurs in a certain context, e.g.:
- going to work - Review Take to Work Checklist (a list of things to bring to work)
- taking son back to mom on Sunday - Review Xander's Stuff Checklist (a list of things to remember to take back with him)

I have the checklists. If I put them in my context list, I don't look at them when the event occurs, because I'm not usually in productive mode. If I put them in the hard landscape, it just annoys me most of the time because it "goes off" at a time vaguely near when the event occurs, or maybe not (since they're not exactly timed).

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Jamie Elis]

you need "places" for each of these "piles"

I totally get this problem, or so I think, so I will risk being prescriptive.

You need a place to put your take to work stuff so you can accumulate it there. Put the list there in highly visible form for now --even if it just says check list in phone. When you come home, put your carry bag there and then put on top of it the stuff you need to bring until you are ready to pack it. I have found it helpful to set an arm for 9:00 pm to remind me to pack my work bag for the next day.

For your son's things-you most definitely need a cubbey or locker or suitcase to collect the stuff, maybe with a small bulletin board and/or chalk board over it and some hooks to hang items like belts, etc. and maybe a net bag for items that are returned wet O ce you have used something that you know he won't use again over the weekend, plop in the cubbey or whatever. Depending on the age of your son, he might help with making and maintaining the list. He could cut out or draw pictures for the list. You might also consider having doubles of essentials and color coding or using labels. You should also have a folder for school and art work that goes back and forth, and a small, see-through container with a tight fitting lid for small items that can easily get lost, like buttons, coins,stoop watch, etc.. The more your son can help the better because it gets really complex when they are in activities, wear retainers start research papers, practice the piccolo, or spend one of the nights that is designated with you at a friend's house or on a major outing, like winter camping with the boy scouts. Until such time as the boy protests, I strongly suggest bags you can see into, even if they are not exactly what most people would use, such as a mesh beach bag and a small open-weave laundry basket. Another suggestion, especially if the other parent is difficult, is when the kid arrives with his stuff, lay it all out on the bed and take a picture of it. Then you have something to compare what you return to. Also, try to separate the packing from leaving with a fun activity in between, so that packing does not evoke too many sad feelings for either one of you.

 

[jan.vlcinsky]

sometime we do not want to do some things

Hi
I am too forgetting to do some things - because in fact I am not much willing (for any reason) to do it.
In such a situation I try first to make clear to myself whether I am really willing to do it or will accept the fact, I am not going to do something (regardless it lived in category "it would be good").
If the task survives this trial, then I do something to make it really happen - like setting up some reminder on my phone, placing label or something physical to the place, where I will be located at the moment the action is required, or "hang the reminder on some trigger", like "when I will touch that black door handle leaving my home, I will remember xxyy.

 

[shane_k]

here is what I would do if I were you

I would take the checklists out of your "context" list. Checklists in or themselves are not action steps. An action step might be "look at before I go to work checklist" That's an action step.

With your checklists if I were you then I would put them in your "Tickler File System"
if you have one set up.
For example, on a day you bring your son back to his mom, put the checklist in the folder representing that day. Then on that day you pull out and you will see the checklist in there.

Another thing that you can do, and i think most beneficial is set a reminder on your phone. If you know that you are going to leave to bring your son home at 4pm set an alarm on your phone that will go off at 3:30pm to remind to you look through that specific checklist. Or if you always leave your house at 8:00am for work, then set a reminder at 7:45am to look at your before work checklist.

Let us know how things go for you.