The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande #2042

Today’s wisdom is from The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande. (Great book! I have a slide in all my keynotes where I talk about this wisdom. Check out the notes for more.)

For now, know this…

Atul Gawande reminds us: “Checklists are a simple tool that prevent failure and ensure success.”

Whether you’re managing a complex project or a simple daily routine, checklists help you stay organized, focused, and consistent.

Here’s how to use checklists today:

1. Simplify Complex Tasks. Atul says: “Checklists make complex processes manageable.” Break a big project into clear, actionable steps.

2. Ensure Consistency. “Even experts benefit from reminders.” He did his studies on surgeons. They kill less people (to be direct) when they have a checklist than when they do not. Use a checklist to standardize recurring tasks.

3. Reflect and Improve. “A checklist is a living document.” Update your checklist as you learn what works best.

Know this, the Heroic App is basically a checklist to help you be your best self. Check out the app for more!

And of course as always, check out the note for more wisdom as well.