Yesterday, I got a robo-call about something I had to act on this morning.
The task was low-effort, but an irregular one, thus had a high risk of slipping my mind.
I considered all my reminder aids:
- Whiteboard
- A planner full of paper
- Phone and laptop software (‘apps’ as the kids are saying today)
- An array of online tools from…(well just about everybody offers tools like this)
Then I remembered an organizational technique — perhaps the most effective ever developed — that was often employed by my former company’s Executive Creative Director many years ago.
Then I grabbed a pen (not a mouse, a stylus, or a dry-erase marker) and I wrote ”Call attendance office,” along my thumb (technically this IS a “digital” solution).
Thumb’s Up To Productivity
Well, as you can see, I actually wrote “Call ‘attendace’ office.” The single downside to this technique is that there is no spell-check. Though the spelling was good enough to jog my memory.
Though I suppose if you’re particular about spelling, then a proofreader’s mark calling for the ‘n’ to be inserted is an option if you have a red Sharpie nearby.
After a few moments at my desk this morning, I looked down at my keyboard and saw the not-so-subtle reminder that I needed to make a call. I grabbed my phone and 90 seconds later: tardy excused.
Mission accomplished.
What are some of your 20th century productivity hacks?
