We all make mistakes...there's no getting around it. In today's work environment, we're all being asked to do more, and our ability to deliver more requires us to "up" our cadence rate -- work faster, move quicker, etc. In the rush of getting things done, the opportunity to "miss" something increases and the quality of our work product is prone to suffer. The possibility of making mistakes consequently increases.

BEFORE you press the "Send" button on your email, BEFORE you deliver that "final" report to your manager, BEFORE you make that important call, and BEFORE you make that presentations, DO THE FOLLOWING:

STOP - Pause and take ONE MORE MINUTE and run through this CHECKLIST:

• Consider having someone else proof-read the document for you.
• Is there anyone else who needs to review it before I submit it? Who's input might be beneficial and helpful?
• Make sure you've run a grammar and spell-check on the document.
• Give a final "cold read" of the document to ensure you've clearly communicated your intentions. Consider reading the document to yourself OUT LOUD -- you may be surprised at what errors you'll discover.
• Do I have crystal clear clarity on my key points and have I communicated those key points as clearly as possible?
• Do I really need to send this email? Would a phone call be better? Do I need a "cooling off" period before I communicate this matter?
• Am I directing this communication to the right person(s)?
• Did I give this project / task / assignment the attention it truly deserved?

Begin this habit with the VERY NEXT deliverable on your plate and encourage your team mates and colleagues to do the same.