I suggest that people build into their personal systems whatever checklists might prevent things from glitching on the back end, assuming they are reviewed appropriately. A great example, for people who travel, is the “travel checklist”–everything that you might ever want to take with you anywhere. Doesn’t mean you have to pack it! Just that you want to consider the option so you don’t miss something. People often jokingly ask for mine to start with, to save them some time, so… here it is.
(I suggest you copy and paste into your word processor, and customize it for yourself. If you have a boat, go fishing regularly, or have other special kinds of trips, you might want a separate checklist for those. I used to additionally have a “take to boat” checklist, when I was sailing regularly.)
David Allen’s Travel Checklist
UNDERWEAR
SOCKS
SUITS
TIES
DRESS SHIRTS
SLACKS
CASUAL PANTS
BELTS
DRESS SHOES
JEANS
SPORT BELT
SNEAKERS
T-SHIRTS
TOILETRY KIT
HAIR DRYER
GLASSES
SUNGLASSES
ALARM CLOCK
UMBRELLA
BOTTLED WATER
GLOVES
OVERCOAT
CUFFLINKS
RUNNING SHORTS
RUNNING SHIRTS
RUNNING SHOES
RUNNING SUIT
RUNNING GLOVES
EAR MUFFS
BATHING SUIT
SWIM GOGGLES
MOCCASINS
SANDALS
SWEATERS
JACKETS
SCARVES
SLIPPERS
SHORTS
SUN LOTION
BUG SPRAY
STATIC SPRAY
TOTE BAG
IRON
STEAMER
SHOE RUBBERS
HANDKERCHIEFS
TENNIS BALL
NECK & BACK SUPPORTS
CLOTHES BAG
CLOTHESPINS
COMPUTER
AC CHARGER CORD
DC POWER CORD
DICTATION GEAR
HANDHELD CHARGER
IR KIT for POWERPOINT
CELL PHONE
PHONE BATTERIES
PHONE CHARGER
BATTERIES – AAs & AAAs
EARPHONES
BRIEFCASE
PACK
KEYS
TICKETS
CLIENT INFO
CITY INFO
UPGRADE CERTIFICATES
MAPS
MISC. READING
OVERHEADS
MARKER PENS
BUSINESS CARDS
PROMO MATERIALS
WRITING PAD
MODULE PADS (xtra?)
ENVELOPES
PETTY CASH ENVELOPE
IN-TRAY
COACHING SUPPLIES (LABELER, LAMINATES)
AIRLINE CARDS/UPGRADES
CAMERA – 35mm/Pocket
FILM
BINOCULARS
HANDLED?
PRINT OFF THE WEB
PHONE SILENCED
WEATHER CHECKED
CAR RENTAL
CAR P/U ARRANGED
COMPUTER BACKED UP
LOTUS NOTES REPLICATED
HANDHELD SYNCED
TICKLER FILE FORWARDED
SPRINKLERS
CASH
International
PASSPORT
ADAPTERS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE BOOK
Hi David. Thanks for the list. I have upgraded my personal travel checklist with some items from above. Cheers, Dan.
I have an iPhone application called Packing Pro which does a good job and keeping these types of lists in front of me when I travel. Worth the few dollars to download.
I travel a lot and do this in the program Shopper on my iPhone. I built a 5-day list, then copied it to lists for 4, 3, 2, and 1-day trips, adjusting the quantities. Now when I pack I just open the list for length of the trip. I just make a pass through, checking off the things I’m not going to take, and then I just zip through the rest. Packing is real easy.
I referenced your technique of the Travel Checklist that I implemented for my own use using my favorite todo list service “Remember the Milk”. I posted an article explaining my method that I picked up from you and ended up winning the contest that week! (http://blog.rememberthemilk.com/2009/11/tips-tricks-tuesday-making-a-travel-checklist/)
Or, use my Universal Packing List: http://upl.codeq.info
It generates a travel packing list for just about any travel.
Hi everybody!
I just wanted to add my free checklist (I think it’s very complete) to this discussion:
http://www.vacationschecklist.com
I hope you like it!
If you have nay thoughts and sugestions, please tell me, so that I can upgrade it.
Thanks,
Nuno