"Using leadership skills of US Army Rangers to help key people succeed in tough times"
Dale Collie
Municipal Utilities
Increase Productivity and Profits with Leadership Tune Ups
Successful Leader, Author & Professional Speaker
Courageous Leadership Tip #102

No Brainer Check List
by Dale Collie

A lot of our daily stress comes from having to complete routine
tasks in the midst of a heavy workload and interruptions.

How can you make sure you complete every step of the job when
everyone wants more of your time? When every interruption makes
you think you might forget an important item?

Cut the stress by listing all of your routine tasks and then
building a checklist to include every step required. Add a note
about the tools needed to do the job so you don't have to think
through this each time.

When the job comes up, pull out the checklist and mark off the
steps as you complete them.  Interruptions are no big deal, and
you don't have to think about whether you've forgotten anything.

No matter how hectic your day, you'll have your well-thought-out
list to make sure everything is done correctly.

This tip is what they call a "no brainer" because you can take
care of these tasks even if your brain is off on vacation. And
someone else can take care of the job when you are away from the
office.

It seems elementary, but these lists can do wonders for your
stress level.

The Leadership Edge: "If you don't go after what you want,
you'll never have it, If you don't ask, the answer is always no.
If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place."
Nora Roberts

Copyright 2010 - Dale Collie

Dale Collie, author and professional speaker, named by Fast
Company as one of America’s Fast 50 innovative leaders.
Experience as Fortune 500 executive and business owner, US Army
Ranger and professor at West Point. His book Winning under Fire
(McGraw-Hill) is published in English, Chinese, and Russian.
www.CourageBuilders.com

Permission is given to publish this article in print or online
if you include author’s byline. You may edit for space and
audience. Collie@CourageBuilders.com
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Dale Collie
828-297-2382
Collie@CourageBuilders.com
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