November 2009 - Inspiration for Leaders

Power of a Checklist

Hi. My name is Ansley, and I’m a list-maker. Whether it’s the running list of groceries on the fridge, a list of things to remember to do before I leave the house with the kids in the morning, or a list of things that I need to start thinking about…I make lists. And I really enjoy checking things off as I go along.

So, I did a little research into the checklist-making habit I have. Here is what I’d like to share with you.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“A checklist is used as an aid to memory. It helps to ensure consistency and completeness in carrying out a task. A basic example is the "to do list." A more advanced checklist would be a schedule, which lays out tasks to be done according to time of day or other factors.” 

Checklists can improve results. Checklists are powerful tools for jogging your memory, reducing stress, and sharing know how.

People use checklists effectively to:

• Reduce task saturation. Task saturation is simply too much to do and not enough time. Checklists help you reduce that overwhelming feeling – probably not all of it, but some of it. 
• Lower stress. Checklists minimize forgetting something. This relieves the stress of worrying about forgetting (especially when consequences are very bad). 
• Free the mind. You don’t have to waste your prefrontal cortex on mundane things. Basically, checklists free you up to worry about higher level issues. 
• Be a refresher course. You can use checklists as a tool to remember a sequence of actions for the next time you do something, like submitting a check request or packing for a trip. 

Do you use checklists? If you currently don’t use them, create a list for the coming week and see if you feel more productive. If you are already a checklist person, please share your effective checklists. I just might write your secrets down, try them out, then make a “to-do” to remind myself to thank you for suggesting the secret!

This month’s sources include: Wikipedia and www.sourcesofinsight.com. Do you feel inspired? Do you have suggestions for future topics? If you have questions or comments, or just want to comment on what you’ve read, please send a note to the Nominating Committee.

Putting the Finishing touches on Home Tour 2009

Continuing a new tradition, the Junior League of Palo Alto•Mid Peninsula will again host the successful fundraiser Finishing Touches: A Holiday Tour of Fine Homes on Dec. 5-6, 2009. The inaugural event, held in 2008, raised more than $78,000 for the local community.

This holiday event features a tour of four elegantly embellished homes in the west Atherton area, a holiday marketplace, raffles, prizes and more. Parking and check-in is available at the event’s home base, Sacred Heart School (50 Emilie Avenue, Atherton). After check in, guests are then whisked away on shuttle busses to each of the west Atherton homes, which have been embellished by local designers for the holidays. After the tour, guests will have the opportunity to shop in a holiday-themed marketplace featuring boutique shopping from local vendors, grab lunch or snacks in the Mistletoe café and participate in raffles. Tour hours are Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

In addition, the event kicks off with a special Opening Night Celebration on Friday, Dec. 4. Featuring a fifth – and one night only – home, cocktails, raffles and more, this event offers tickets for $140 per person, which also includes admission to the tour and can be redeemed at any time during tour hours.

Finishing Touches directly supports The Junior League of Palo Alto•Mid Peninsula. Funds raised are put back into the community through various grants to local nonprofits, as well as through League projects such as the East Palo Alto Charter School Character Development, First Teachers and Fostering Families.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.finishingtoucheshometour.com for $40 in advance and $50 at the door.