On Saturday, Warren and I had to go out to the big box hardware store to pick up a new toilet. Simple task, so while we were out, we decided to pick up tile, a few groceries, and a tank of gas. Typical Saturday behavior, and we decided to make an afternoon of it as we don’t get into the city very often anymore.
Together we jumped in the car, and Warren did his typical rundown, “Do you have your wallet, phone, and mask?” Since I am often prone to forgetting my phone in places (as I try not to be tied to it constantly), I responded, somewhat sarcastically, “Of course I do.” Off we went.
Halfway down the plumbing aisle in our first stop of the day, I notice that I was still in my “around the house” clothes (yoga pants covered in drywall dust and a paint-stained shirt.) I was mortified! I know that it wasn’t about being judged; I was completely oblivious and didn’t pay attention to the details as my mind was a million miles away. I left the house for a day of shopping in clothes that weren’t appropriate for me.
I remember times when I’ve forgotten to rent a car when traveling, went to the wrong terminal at the airport, didn’t notice that the time of the client call was in a different time zone. There are times when I just don’t pay attention to details, and I know I’m not alone!
[ctt template=”3″ link=”U5K9N” via=”yes” ]There are times when I just don’t pay attention to details and I know I’m not alone. Here are some tips to help.[/ctt]
I’ve received emails asking how long our one-hour webinars are (they literally have asked how long the webinar from 2-3 pm was), emails asking me for my email address, and other various things that really are quite obvious. They make me laugh and shake my head, but aren’t we all guilty sometimes?
We get so busy that we don’t pay attention, and when we don’t pay attention, we often create double work for ourselves, potentially damage our reputation, and generally waste time! How can we learn to pay attention when we have so many pressing deadlines and conflicting priorities?
[ctt template=”3″ link=”73ze6″ via=”yes” ]We get so busy that we don’t pay attention, and when we don’t pay attention, we often create double work for ourselves. Here is how to pay attention to details.[/ctt]
Slow down and take a deep breath. I know that seems obvious, but we are all living a very fast-paced lifestyle. We have too many balls in the air, and we need to slow down when we stop to count them. When Warren asked me if I had my wallet, phone, and mask, I should have had taken a deep breath causing me to slow down, and do my own double-check. Honestly, there have been times that Warren has done his checklist, and I say I have all those things when I don’t. We need to take a deep breath and look at our surroundings. Before we press send on an email, slow down, take a deep breath, reread the email before you press send.
Checklists. I’m a big fan of checklists and like to have them for everything. When Liz takes care of my travel, we have the list that ensures nothing is missed. When I host (pre-Covid) friends or large family gatherings, I have a checklist of all the things I need to make sure that I don’t forget anything (I have previously forgotten things like butter, salad, or coffee just because I have so many things to think about.) Warren and Pooja have a checklist for our webinars to make sure nothing has been forgotten. If we forget, it creates extra work and potentially damages our reputation.
Discipline. Often, we are trying to do too many things at the same time. We need to be disciplined so we aren’t running around like a chicken with its head cut off. While it feels like everything is urgent and due yesterday, we need to be sure we manage the true priorities and work solely on it instead of trying to clear up a few tasks at the same time. While you are working on one task, be disciplined not to jump from it to another one.
When Warren and I were getting ready to do our errands, I was busy focusing on getting the kitchen cleaned up. When it was time to go, I was still distracted. I should have delayed our departure by five minutes to finish what I was doing, take a deep breath, and think about what came next.
Going to the hardware store in dirty clothes didn’t cost me any time nor hurt my reputation, but it reminded me that I was juggling too many balls and could potentially drop them. The next time it might not be something as silly as forgetting to change my clothes. The next time could have severe consequences.
[ctt template=”3″ link=”Bu3Zb” via=”yes” ]Slow down. Take a deep breath. Use checklists and be disciplined so you can pay attention to details.[/ctt]
Slow down. Take a deep breath. Use checklists and be disciplined.
