Comments on: Running and personal checklists http://kevinmullaney.com/2010/01/05/running-and-personal-checklists/ Theatre, books, improv, poker, food and dementia Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:19:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Kevin Mullaney.com » Checklists, podcasting, blogging and an app http://kevinmullaney.com/2010/01/05/running-and-personal-checklists/comment-page-1/#comment-337 Kevin Mullaney.com » Checklists, podcasting, blogging and an app Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:35:46 +0000 http://kevinmullaney.com/?p=309#comment-337 [...] I first started thinking about this because of Checklist Manifesto, a book by Atul Gawande. I have not read the book yet, but I’ve heard several interviews of him. The book is about how checklists for complicated procedures help minimize mistakes and save lives. He is a surgeon and he has seen how a simple checklist for a surgical procedure can dramatically reduce the number of complications. I don’t do anything as grave as surgery, but there are a lot of things I want to accomplish each day. I thought checklists might help and started using them. [...] [...] I first started thinking about this because of Checklist Manifesto, a book by Atul Gawande. I have not read the book yet, but I’ve heard several interviews of him. The book is about how checklists for complicated procedures help minimize mistakes and save lives. He is a surgeon and he has seen how a simple checklist for a surgical procedure can dramatically reduce the number of complications. I don’t do anything as grave as surgery, but there are a lot of things I want to accomplish each day. I thought checklists might help and started using them. [...]

]]> By: mullaney http://kevinmullaney.com/2010/01/05/running-and-personal-checklists/comment-page-1/#comment-236 mullaney Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:55:25 +0000 http://kevinmullaney.com/?p=309#comment-236 I've divided my list into three categories: things I want to do every day, things I want to do every week day, and things I want to do 1 or more times a week. - Blogging is on the list, although I won't say how often I'm shooting for. - I want to talk to my dad twice a week, something that will be hard when he is out of town, but I can still give it a try. - I also want to talk to friends on the phone at least twice a week. - Guitar is a daily activity. - I'm shooting for running or walking 3-4 times a week. Besides that it's mostly business goals. I'm sure I'll add some things and maybe scale back some items. The point is giving myself a nudge in the right direction, not beating myself up because I didn't complete certain tasks. I’ve divided my list into three categories: things I want to do every day, things I want to do every week day, and things I want to do 1 or more times a week.

- Blogging is on the list, although I won’t say how often I’m shooting for.
- I want to talk to my dad twice a week, something that will be hard when he is out of town, but I can still give it a try.
- I also want to talk to friends on the phone at least twice a week.
- Guitar is a daily activity.
- I’m shooting for running or walking 3-4 times a week.

Besides that it’s mostly business goals. I’m sure I’ll add some things and maybe scale back some items. The point is giving myself a nudge in the right direction, not beating myself up because I didn’t complete certain tasks.

]]> By: Doug http://kevinmullaney.com/2010/01/05/running-and-personal-checklists/comment-page-1/#comment-235 Doug Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:09:26 +0000 http://kevinmullaney.com/?p=309#comment-235 I'm a big list guy too, though now it mostly goes into a GTD system. I've been thinking about this for the New Year too. Like: every day I want to read a little bit, run a few times a week, etc. One challenge I always find with this though is the balance between pressure to complete things on the list and accept the realities of days/weeks when things are not accomplished. For instance, if things get crazy in a week and I don't have time for running, it's better to just move forward and run the next week then beat myself up. I'd love to see your list! I’m a big list guy too, though now it mostly goes into a GTD system. I’ve been thinking about this for the New Year too. Like: every day I want to read a little bit, run a few times a week, etc.

One challenge I always find with this though is the balance between pressure to complete things on the list and accept the realities of days/weeks when things are not accomplished. For instance, if things get crazy in a week and I don’t have time for running, it’s better to just move forward and run the next week then beat myself up.

I’d love to see your list!

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