“Checklists seem able to defend anyone, even the experienced, against failure in many more tasks than we realized.” – Atul Gawande
In today’s fast-paced world, filled with information overload and countless distractions, it’s no wonder that we often find ourselves forgetting important tasks, appointments, and even basic routines.
In today’s environment, reminders play a crucial role in helping us stay on track and accomplish vital objectives. While instructions provide guidance and knowledge, it is the gentle reminder that truly helps us take action and stay organized.
Below are a few advantages of the gentle nudge.
Reinforcing Priorities:
Instructions are typically provided as one-time guidance on how to perform a task or achieve a specific outcome. However, priorities can shift, and our focus can easily waver amidst the demands of daily life. Reminders act as a constant reinforcement, reminding us of what truly matters. They help us maintain clarity, stay committed to our goals, and ensure that we allocate time and effort to the most important tasks.
The daily huddle, 1:1 meetings, and weekly team meetings are great meetings with purpose for this.
Managing Complexity:
Leading and operating a business, for me, compares to an extremely difficult crossword puzzle. It cannot be solved at once, the clues are vague and misleading, and one answer can accelerate progress or send you in the wrong direction in other areas.
Reminders break down complex tasks into manageable increments, helping us maintain focus and ensuring that crucial deadlines are met and high-value tasks are done first. They prevent us from feeling overwhelmed and provide a sense of structure and control in our daily lives.
Sustaining Habits:
Building positive habits for your team is essential for commercial and personal growth. However, forming new habits or breaking old ones requires consistent effort and reinforcement. Instructions alone are often insufficient to sustain long-term behavioral changes. Reminders act as gentle reinforcements, prompting us to practice our desired habits consistently.
Checklists perform well here as well. Some of the most highly and frequently trained professionals are airline pilots. They have many checklists to reinforce and remind them of key habits.
Again, the daily huddle, 1:1 meetings, and weekly team meetings are great platforms for this.
Enhancing Productivity:
In a world full of shiny distractions, productivity is a constant challenge. Instructions can provide us with strategies to improve our efficiency, but reminders actively support us in implementing those strategies. By reminding us to focus, eliminate distractions, and prioritize our time effectively, reminders optimize our productivity and ensure that important tasks receive the attention they deserve.
Reminders are about progress, standards, and leadership. Taking the time to provide the right frameworks for/with your team to handle the day-to-day and the strategic imperatives will go a long way to creating and developing engaged, fulfilled, and productive team members.
Be Exceptional!
Bill – Certified Growth Coach, Foundations in NeuroLeadership certified, PI Certified Partner, 100COACHES member coach
(bill@catalystgrowthadvisors.com; www.catalystgrowthadvisors.com)
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