National Checklist Day
If you pride yourself on your organizational skills, then put a check mark next to National Checklist Day on October 30, a cherished holiday which keeps our lives together. The more complex our lives get, the easier it is to make mistakes. Today, we celebrate the humble checklist as the innovative tool that has stood the test of time.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL CHECKLIST DAY
Without checklists, we can feel like we’re juggling a bunch of balls in the air and trying to keep them from dropping. Even the simple things can be forgotten or go unnoticed — let alone the difficult or complex things that fill our day. Although success in any endeavor is not guaranteed, armed with an organized checklist, you stand a better chance of achieving your goals.
So, is National Checklist Day the result of a reformed hoarder or the work of an obsessive compulsive freak? Definitely not! But you might be surprised to learn that checklists came out of a need to keep pilots safe during WWII.
The first checklist resulted from a crash that injured several people, killing at least two on a Boeing Model 299 B-17 plane in 1935. The 299 was heralded as the most state-of-the-art aircraft at the time. During the post-crash investigation, Boeing discovered that the pilot had forgotten to do a simple task — turn off the elevator lock. This simple omission caused the aircraft not to respond to pitch control, leaving the plane vulnerable.
According to a report by two university professors in a 1990 study, cockpit checklists serve several key functions in aviation safety, “… to ensure that the crew will properly configure the airplane for any given segment of flight” and to create “…standardization in the cockpit.” Also, memory of the safety procedures can never take the place of the actual checklist in aviation.
So, if a checklist can keep us flying safely in the air, what better way to keep our lives organized and running smoothly on the ground? American companies also use checklists as successful training tools. Now that you know the origins of the National Checklist Day, check that off your list and enjoy the rest of the day!
NATIONAL CHECKLIST DAY ACTIVITIES
1.Make a checklist
Grab a pen and paper. Or a smartphone. Or a rock and chisel. Think of this checklist as a tool to get everything done. Start marking down all the things that need to happen for you to complete your project. When you’re done writing everything down, cross “Make a checklist” off your checklist!
2.Check everything off your checklist
Take it one checklist item at time. Go through it methodically. Check off the items as you complete them. When you reach the end, give it one last look to make sure you didn’t miss anything. Then put the list down and step away.
3.Celebrate your victory over your checklist
Raise your hands in triumph and celebrate what you’ve accomplished. Reward yourself for getting organized and completing everything on your checklist. Now, make a celebration checklist because you’re done!
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CHECKLIST DAY
A. It keeps you organized
Do you have a truckload of things to do and you don’t know where to start? First things first with a checklist. This will help you organize your thoughts and your tasks.
B. It makes things visual
Putting all your tasks down in your checklist will help you see what you need to get done in its entirety. In case you forget anything, you have a visual reminder. Consider color-coding your list.
C. It brings a sense of accomplishment
It feels amazing to check off each completed task. When you do the hard tasks first, for the rest of the day, all your remaining tasks seem easier.
References:
“National Checklist Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/national-checklist-day/