On my first day back to work after an amazing 2 1/2 weeks at home, I sorted through my email, snail mail, phone messages, and old to-do list. After cranking out the easy stuff (yeah, I know that crossing things off a list motivates me!), I made a new to-do list. Fast forward 2 hours......I look at my list again, and cannot remember why I wrote "Vanessa" on it. I can't remember who that is, can't think of anyone I know named Vanessa, can't remember what I was supposed to do with/for/about Vanessa.
I have an amazing admin staff who keep me on track most of the time. Knowing this, I go ask one of them if she has a clue about what I meant when I wrote "Vanessa," even though she wasn't there when I did so, doesn't have access to my emails, and didn't see my previous list. She looked at me and said, "Who's Vanessa?" To which I answered, "I don't know either. I was hoping you knew." Afer asking me several questions, one of which triggered my memory to spit out the answer, I knew what I was supposed to do.
Here are my takeaways from the experience:
1. When writing a to-do list, write more than just someone's name. Write what I actually have to do for that person!!
2. A great admin staff is priceless, and is the reason I survive each day. Be very thankful and appreciative!
3. Be very careful about taking off 2 1/2 weeks. My brain obviously can't handle it!
