Don’t forget your materials
Dewalt and Ford have created an RFID tagging and tracking system that automatically checks to make sure that you haven’t left any power tools at a work site. The system is convenient for contractors who drive Fords and use DeWalt tools, and probably a worthwhile investment for their multiple thousands of dollars of equipment.
Personally, I have no use for such a system, but I like the idea of an organized tracking method to make sure that you have all of your equipment.
When I was teaching, I helped a student with severe ADHD develop a system to help her get between home and school and back home again with all of her materials. The program was based on counting to three. Her lunch box was marked #1, her daily planner was #2, and her “inbox” in her locker was #3.
She had two sets of books (one left at school, and her parents rented a second set to leave at home), so all she needed to do was count “1, 2, 3″ to make sure she had everything in her backpack at the start and end of the day. The “inbox” in her locker was just a tray like what you might use for an inbox on your desk at work. As she moved between classes, she would put all of the things she needed to take home with her that day into #3 — notebooks, papers for her parents to read, worksheets. Then, everything from the tray was dumped into her backpack as she counted “1, 2, 3″ at the end of the school day. At home, she had a similar tray on her desk where she placed her homework and such as she completed it. In the morning, she just made certain that she had 1, 2, and 3. Her rate of completed take-home assignments went from 30 percent up to above 90 percent in just the first week of using the new system.
Since then, I find myself creating numbered lists to help me make sure that I have all of my materials when I’m traveling for work. My laptop is #1, my power cable is #2, and my handouts are usually #3. Before I leave a workshop room I ask myself, “Do I have 1, 2, and 3?”
Contractors who don’t drive Fords or use DeWalt tools can do something similar with sticky dots and a magic marker. Number the equipment as you put it into the truck, and then make note of the highest number you reach. As you’re leaving a work site, just count up the numbers to make sure you aren’t missing any of your equipment. Easy as pie.
How do you check to make sure that you have all of your materials when you leave a work site? Feel welcome to share your creative solutions in the comments.
39 comments posted
Posted by R - 08/11/2009
I could see the application for my work for sure! I’m a crafter, and often bring materials around the place, whether I’m travelling or working at outdoor markets. It’s a total pain to leave an essential piece of kit behind..
Posted by CaitStClair - 08/11/2009
Instead of numbers I ask myself “wallet, keys, cellphone?” every time I walk out the door. It’s such a habit that I still do this even though I always keep those things in my purse now.
Posted by Cathy W - 08/11/2009
…you might have just saved my daughter’s education.
Posted by alexqgb - 08/11/2009
Spectacles / testicles / wallet / watch / keys.
Say it out loud and you’ll find this has a very nice cadence to it, and if you’re a guy (or a girl with a sense of humor and / or a background in naval operations), an extra reminder about keeping your chin up and your stride long as you head out.
Mentally, I substitute ‘cell phone’ for ‘watch’ since it’s that and more. I could use the actual word, but only at the cost of the nice alliteration, and for me, aesthetics win.
Posted by Bethany - 08/11/2009
When I switch things between purses I count too. At a bare minimum I need to switch over 4 things – phone, wallet, medication, and keys. If I don’t count 4 items, I know I forgot something.
Posted by Sasha - 08/11/2009
I too use the “wallet, keys, phone” prompt before I head out the door or home for the day. Since I switch purses often, I prompt myself with “wallet, keys, phone” as I transfer the contents of my bags.
I can get by with just the wallet, keys, and my phone, so if I forget something else, I can still ride the metro, use the phone, and unlock my house!
I also compartmentalize my purse with the following “extras”: a cosmetics bag complete with chewing gum, a notebook, my planner, my checkbook, my prescription sunglasses, and a nice writing pen.
Posted by Wendy - 08/11/2009
As a kid I was always forgetting my lunch and or my clarinet until my mom had me put them at the top of the stairs to grab on the way out the door.
I still do that by always keeping my purse in the same spot when I come home and putting my bag with items for work next to the door the night before. I empty my pockets before I leave work so my keys and key card go back into my bag and are ready for the next day.
Posted by infmom - 08/11/2009
My husband’s worked as a broadcast engineer for close to 40 years. He travels to transmitter sites on a regular basis and he takes tools and equipment with him. Inevitably something would get left behind at one end of the journey or the other, or he would forget to switch something back on when he was done, or put something back the way it was.
Having had more than enough dinners ruined because he had to “run back out to the transmitter,” I suggested that he make a checklist for every item he needed, and everything he did, so he could check things in and check things out.
He just bristled and never would do that. Finally, within the past year, one of his colleagues made the very same suggestion and now he’s seriously considering it. I guess the good solutions have to come from the right source!
Posted by s - 08/11/2009
I totally do this! I’m in the military. When I go to the gym before work I need to be sure I have all the parts of my uniform with me. I count to 5: 1) undies, 2) bra, 3) undershirt, 4)socks, 5) boots. I don’t seem to need that kind of reminder for the main clothes part of my uniform (top & bottom), but I need to figure out a way to remember a towel. It’s hanging on a hook right above the empty gym bag, so it can air out between gym sessions, but too often I still forget it. I remember shower shoes because they’re stored with my sneakers, so I see them, and there’s a particular spot for them in my gym bag, so I notice if that’s empty. Same for water bottle and toiletries.
The final part of my uniform is the hat, but I need to remember that everyday, so it’s in my “landing zone” along with keys, pen, wallet, etc.
For packing, I have a list of all the “ingredients” of my uniform on my standard packing list (which I keep in the outside pocket of my suitcase–reminds me what to take as well as what to bring back from travel).
Posted by Laura - 08/11/2009
I started doing this with my husband because he forgets where he puts his stuff. 1. wallet 2. phone 3. train pass 4. keys
We would joke about it, but this system works. He now counts to four, touching each pocket (1. back pant pocket; 2. front, right pant pocket; 3. shirt pocket; and 4. front, left pant pocket) before leaving the house. The touching of pockets sort of looks like the Macarena dance!
Posted by Lola - 08/11/2009
We don’t have a numbering system, but like several other commenters, I came up with a little checklist for my husband when I realized that he would often forget an important item when we left the house. Now when we’re on our way out the door, we’ll recite: Keys, Wallet, Watch, and Phone. It has a nice rhythm to it. (After we got married, we also added Ring to the end of the list.) I told a friend of mine, who liked the idea so much that she actually made a little list that hangs by her door.
Posted by Anita - 08/11/2009
Good concept!
I change purses almost every day, so I try to empty my purse every night and leave the basics (keys, wallet, phone, work ID, transit pass) on a tray near my front door.
What I do need a system for, though, is photographic equipment. It used to be that I kept everything in one camera bag. Now I’ve simply got too much gear to carry around all at once, so I need a better way of storing and organizing it all, as well as figuring out what to take with me for each shoot and not ending up forgetting to take half of what I need.
Posted by Raisin - 08/11/2009
I’m a photographer, and I use bright green chroma-key colored gaffers tape on all of my equipment. Most of the other working photographers that I know do the same. There is a post on flying with fish that explains this practice in detail. I’ve cut and pasted the most relevant part of the post below.
http://flyingwithfish.blogspot.....leave.html
Over the past few years I have taped every piece of equipment. From PC cords to lens caps, camera batteries to camera bodies, everything has tape on it. When I tear down after a shoot I can quickly scan the room and look for the hot pink tape. When I pack up and leave a hotel room, I always scan for bright pink tape.
Posted by Anita - 08/11/2009
Also: is it bad that I now have “1234″ by the Plain White T’s stuck in my head?
Posted by Catherine Cantieri, Sorted - 08/11/2009
I really like this idea. Not sure what I’d call 1, 2, etc., but as I’m pretty good at remembering things (she said, jinxing herself immediately), but it’s a cool question as it helps me prioritize what I need most to get through a typical day.
I especially like the idea of customizing it, for clients and for activities, etc. Cool post!
Posted by Jes - 08/11/2009
Easy. I carry a leather tote bag with an open top, leave it sitting under my desk and as I come across things i need to take home, I toss them in the tote bag. At home, the bag sits on a chair by the door and again I toss things in as I come across them. This system only works if you occasionally clean out the tote bag.
Posted by Tim - 08/11/2009
A peg board and labeled keyrings work for a tool check in/out system at a work site and is not married to a particular brand of tool or make of truck.
Posted by Typical Tuesday « Born For This - 08/11/2009
[...] This article on not forgetting things from Unclutterer – I do something similar when I’m going to and from the gym (iPod, keys, towel) (I can be really scatterbrained when I leave the gym) [...]
Posted by J - 08/11/2009
My list for weekday mornings goes like this:
Hearing aid, glasses, keys watch wallet,
Books, notebooks, extra clothes, extra food.
I find that almost everything I’ll need falls in one of those categories. Like if I know I’ll need a medicine-type item, I think of it as “extra food”.
Of course on weekends I get a little lax and sometimes end up in a store saying “What?” a lot.
lol.
Posted by sue - 08/11/2009
Having a child with autism, we learned early on to have systems in place, and this is very similar to what works for him!
On the lighter side, numbering lists can have its dangers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFRUSTiFUs
Posted by Angie - 08/11/2009
As a nurse I have many small items to bring to work: pens, flashlight, scissors, notepad, ID tag, stethescope, etc. I use my school days system of a “pencil case” for daily items. I fill it back up before I leave the unit, so it only counts as 1. My 2 is my lunch and my 3 is my drug book. They stay in a fabric tote bag that I sewed just for work items.
Posted by Kate - 08/11/2009
I used to leave things everywhere (on the Metro, at restaurants, etc) because as soon as I put them down I’d forget they ever existed. It would take me a day or two to realize something was missing and by then it was usually lost forever. I had to start counting things I carried whenever I went places so I could make sure I had everything when I left. I haven’t left anything anywhere public since.
Posted by Christine - 08/11/2009
My mother used to lose her mind with me because I would always leave stuff behind, forget to bring my thermos home from school, and just generally lose stuff. She taught me my mantra, “Always look behind you before you leave”. Now, whenever I leave anywhere, I always throw a glance over my shoulder and usually spot something I would have forgotten!
Posted by BB - 08/11/2009
It’s late here and I’m tired so sorry if this is obvious, but with the suggestion for tools, why do you need the dots and marker? Surely you just need to count how many tools you have then make sure that many go back in the truck…
PS I remember things by being dangerously neurotic and checking about fifteen times before I leave the house.
Posted by Onlinehandyman - 08/12/2009
As a contractor I think that this is a great idea. I don’t leave a lot of stuff behind because I am very organized and systematic, but once in a while when I do it is very annoying.
I don’t like having to drive all the ways back to the job just to pick up one of my tools. However, I am relieved when I find it and would be really upset if I left a Dewalt product behind because they are kind of expensive.
I have seen a lot of good examples here and have considered using a checklist although I have not implemented the idea yet. So far I have been about 95% good at not leaving things behind just by using the mental checklist.
Interesting post – thanks!
Posted by Another Deb - 08/12/2009
I do the marking trick when I hand out things to be used in class. All of my markers have a band of hot pink paint or tape on them so I know if someone is still using one.
Erin, your trick for counting items will certainly come in useful for the things I want students to have out in class as the day begins. It’s only two days into the school year so I have time to teach them a system! “PJP: Pencil, Journal, Plannner”
My husband and I always say “Touch the tickets” as we pull out of the garage heading for the theatre or the airport. This helps us confirm that we have them!
(A friend has taught her daughters the order of life mantra this way. It goes “college, marriage, babies”)
Posted by Cliff - 08/12/2009
I don’t think the counting trick would work for me. I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD recently (as an adult) and it does make sense now, looking back. But I never really left things behind. As long as I can remember, I always looked back behind me as I left a place — ANY place! even a public restroom, or a cafe where I was sitting drinking a coffee — so I guess that was my coping mechanism. Another thing that I generally notice, is that I take a lot longer to pack or unpack my “day bag” in whatever context I’m in. I’m currently in school again so I have created sub-compartments — a huge backpack; then, pencil cases and other sub-bags that zip up, each for related sorts of stuff. Larger mesh drawstring bags for gym clothes, smaller zip nylon bags (pencil cases at Office Depot!) for medicinals, for weird gadgets (gotta have that Swiss Army knife; and Leatherman; and ear plugs for concerts; and duct tape …); pencil case for post-it notes of varying sizes / colors (necessary for law school); etc.
This thread has been helpful for me to begin my own lifetime of learning coping skills about ADHD. I have known many people who left things lying about — one girlfriend left her running shoes on the subway every single day that she ever brought them to the university with her — but I never really left anything lying around. Once in a while, I guess. C
Posted by crunchycon - 08/12/2009
I carry one of those fancy-schmancy leather totes for women, which serves as a purse on workdays, as well as holding my planner/files (and occasionally, my laptop). It has tons of pockets/loops/snaps for my keys (personal keys and classroom keys), phone, wallet, employee badge, glasses case and phone. Little stuff like lipstick/aspirin/etc. goes into a leather pouch which has its own leash and loop in the bag. Similar to 1,2,3, I make sure the pockets and such are filled appropriately before bed, and I know I have everything I need for the day. I can just grab and run.
Posted by Mo - 08/12/2009
One thing that people are missing here is that often there are multiple people taking tools in and out of the truck. Multiple contractors, assistants, gophers, etc. and they are all likely working in different parts of the site.
This is also a good anti-theft system. (Which happens A LOT on job sites – including swapping your older drill for a newer one of the same model.) Just having to get the tag off, and knowing that the theft will be detected that day, would be a real discouragement.
Also – Ford and DeWalt are both market leaders in their fields.
Posted by Erin Doland - 08/12/2009
@BB — The numbering with dots is so that you know which tool is missing. It appears I left a line out of the above article that should have said to write down what object the numbers correspond to.
Posted by Molly - 08/12/2009
S- Why not have two towels, so one is in the gym bag and one is drying?
Posted by s - 08/12/2009
Thanks, Molly.
I actually hadn’t really thought of that. I don’t like to have too much “extra” stuff around. I use a fancy, quick-dry camping towel, but maybe having 2 is the right answer! I love it.
Posted by gypsy packer - 08/12/2009
What I want is a multi-tag, multi-vendor RFID or the equivalent for the home handyman or rental maintenance worker/department. My boss has lost numerous tools to undiagnosed meth monster maintenance men. He refused to allow me to put up a blackboard/whiteboard checkout because his brother would be insulted (bro “borrows” tools, too but my disabled boss has to keep him happy to get the work done).
The Ex ‘s litany of “keys, wallet, knife” is familiar. Knife is known as a “Georgia tool box” from Tennessee to S Fla. Duct tape is “Alabama body shop” , upholstery, or name your trade.
I have an organizer purse, dollar from the flea market, with numerous pockets. Grab it and I’m done, although half of its pockets have just been made redundant by Apple Apps.
Don’t some of those fancy camping towels come with pouches? Still waiting for the price to drop…
Posted by Rebecca - 08/12/2009
I also use the tote-bag approach. I work a full time job and own a business with my husband so I am constantly carrying my multiple lives around with me (to go from one work to another requires not only a wardrobe change but a whole new set of supplies) between home/work/business. I sometimes have two tote bags, depending upon the amount of stuff I need, but I am always good about leaving them either in the car or in my way when trying to leave the house. I also use a color code for my supplies (hot pink for work, bright orange for business) so that I can easily spot anything I may need to transfer between locations. The totes help me because then I really only need to remember “1″!
Posted by It’s 5 O’Clock. Do You Know Where Your Tools Are? – Gearlog | A Bit Eclectic - 08/12/2009
[...] Unclutterer blog has a great low tech tip for keeping track of your stuff. When I was teaching, I helped a student with severe ADHD develop a system to help her get between [...]
Posted by Don’t forget your materials | Ben Brooks - 08/12/2009
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Posted by allen - 08/12/2009
I love this idea! I’m returning to school after a few years away, and I’m sure that the first few days/weeks will be heck-tick for me, forgetting stuff. I’ll have to work on a way to adopt this to fit my life…
Thanks!
Posted by BB - 08/13/2009
Thanks for the response Erin, that makes sense now!
Posted by 1-2-3 Pack Your Bag « Declutterer - 03/28/2010
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