Here's a true sign of a Learning and Performance Technology Nerd, Christmas decoration job aids. For years, I was relearning the best way to display and arrange our Christmas decorations all over again after Thanksgiving. So a couple of years ago, I got the idea to create a few holiday decor job aids. I made myself a few notes, stuck them in the boxes we pack away in the attic for 11 months, and then when it's time to pull them out and put them back up... Viola! It's just-in-time learning. I know; it's a sickness. But in fairness, my grandfather, who was an engineer by trade, would cut branches off his Christmas trees and rearrange them in holes he would drill in the trunk to help the tree look more symmetrical. Where others see compulsions, we Chandlers simply see the continual practice for our craft.
For now, I've packed my festive job aids away until next year. But in the meantime, I've developed another very practical job aid for my home life. The problem was I would often forget how long I had been wearing my extended wear contacts. I usually took them out on a Saturday and put new ones in on a Sunday, but I couldn't remember if it had been one, two (the recommended amount of time), three, or sometimes four weeks; and now, I have new contacts that last 30 days. I quickly realized the need for performance improvement.
I could jot the date in a journal or in my calendar, but I usually don't have those by my bathroom sink where I change my contacts. Then it hit me. I've recently discover how versatile dry erase markers can be. They work great on a number of surfaces, vanity mirrors being one of them. I simply write the date I put the contacts in on the upper corner of my mirror and know exactly how long my contacts have been in. It's like the annoying cling stickers those lube places put on your windshield when they change your oil.
WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE? I would love to read any examples of job aids you use around the house. Leave me a comment.
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WOW! OK, so I have a bit of a dilemma. You see, I can't tell if your OCD is a "problem" or downright impressive. You are too funny!
ReplyDeleteAs an anal-retentive perfectionist, who adores organization, I admire and applaud your systems. In fact, I think we should team up and help decorate eachother's houses next year!!
ReplyDeleteNow, the decorator in me feels that having dry-erase marker on your mirror would just be tacky and could detract from your decor. I suggest mounting a small dry erase board on the inside of the cabinet. You will see it when you open the cabinet, but your guests won't. Or, perhaps the dry erase markers would write on your contacts?? That would be an even more annoying and unforgettable constant reminder. You could even include grocery lists and appointments there if you used a fine tip marker. It would be like a built in dry erase board for your head.
Thanks for the laughs, and the reassurance that I am not the only insane person out there. Keep on bloggin'!
Liz, you should choose down right impressive. Stephanie, great idea on the built in dry erase boards. I'll install them on our cabinets.
ReplyDeleteIf the boards are too thick for the doors, you could just laminate a peice of white paper and stick it up with velcro tabs! :)
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