Spin-Off - Mom Brain

Amy&Steve0421

Ok - I need some help coming up with strategies.  My job is very detail oriented.  And since I had Ben I've had trouble with some of the details.

My main problem is entering actions into databases/on reports - and it usually happens on phone days.  We have a help line and I am required to answer right away (they get upset if you let it roll to voice mail).  Usually this is when I get distracted and forget to make an entry.

 Please give me suggestions on how to handle this.  I am so frustrated w/myself and need some input - and even encouragement - from others.

Sofka

as you are picking up the phone, can you write a quick note to yourself?

I also use my work email's calendar to remind of everything! It just pops up w/ a reminder

 

vtkgirl77

Can you make a list of everything you have to do and then not check off the item until it's complete?

For me to even know what I'm supposed to be doing on any given day at work, I keep a one page to do list on my desk and I use a highlighter to highlight what I want to accomplish that day. As I finish tasks, I cross out the items. If additional projects get added during the day, I write them on this sheet of paper (and then I later add it to the Word document). That way, everything I need to do is always on one piece of paper. However, I'm not sure whether that would work for your situation.

Amy&Steve0421

I think I need to answer and the phone and then ask them to hold for one moment and then write down what I need to finish after the call.

Why this has not occured to me before...I don't know.  Part of the mom brain I gues....

umdbride

If it's an option, you could highlight the row in yellow or something as you pick up the call so that when you return to your computer screen it will remind you to finish entering the data.

and don't feel bad -  when you're used to doing things a certain way it's hard to see another way to do it!

umdbride

another thought - could you save the data entry work and do it on days/times when you aren't taking calls?

Amy&Steve0421

It is the nature of my job that they want everything done as soon as possible - so I don't think they would be tolerate of me delaying data entry.  But I do keep a list of all tasks done during the day - and I think I will start a habit of verifying all data entry is complete at the day's end.

I think that - plus taking a minute to make notes before handling a phone call - will help.

Thanks for the input.  I've really been struggling to be as "on it" as I was pre-baby.  And this morning was a rough morning - with several mistakes pointed out to me.