It is more probable that they are avoiding the documentation of their failure, than have an eidetic memory.

'I see what you mean', he typed, whilst writing in a smallnotebook.

Some don't and some do. Probably the majority do.

Dunno. Never been afraid of failure. Anyone who has never failed has never attempted much.

Plus, at 70-mumble, I have to write EVERYTHING down if I expect to remember it for more than about 10 minutes.

And photos. Lots of photos when working on stuff.

It depends. Even people who write stuff down don't necessarily document their failures either.

I don't try to remember anything I can document. On understandings I have with other people, I want at least email documentation between the parties so it doesn't become a "That's not what I said" situation after the fact. If I can easily retrieve the information, I don't document either.

I do use OneNote extensively where I devote one page to tracking all the different tasks, action items, and open projects I'm working on. Each item is linked to an Outlook reminder notification that pops up for the day I need to pay attention to them.

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
I was involved in reporting and documentation subject to very high level scrutiny (classified/confidential) in the military of my and subordinates activities. And, I had no issue with doing so. I face my failures directly and honestly.

However, when I was in the civilian sector and "expected" to "write or put in writing", I found a very obvious issue with persons mis-using information in retaliatory, hostile and piss-poor management/leadership occurrences. I was told several times, by several key executives to "email them and BCC me", or "email them and send me a copy of the mail chain.

I had people in other departments confide in me about similar events where such communications, and "reports requested" where turned agains them, almost always as a matter of deflecting or placing blame on them by superiors. This was endemic and an indicator of the entire culture within this company.

"You have the right to remain silent, anything you say (or write) can and will be used against you..."

So, I never put things in writing.

I despise weak leadership, and self-serving people.

I endured such far too long and for more than it was truly worth.

At the end of it, my desire to serve in the military was met with no such thing, but on the "other side" it has left a very bitter aftertaste.

Your "hypothesis" does not work in my case, but I am a pretty tiny sample in your set. Smile

(I don't hate all of humanity, just people.)

I'd be better off if I kept better track of car maintenance, and sailboat racing conditions, settings, and sail chosen. I've chosen to not treat those things like a job, but there are situations careful records would be useful. I kick ass at car maintenance, and do well at sailboat racing. I'm a motor whisperer, and my instincts are good. My Ski Nautique is 38 years old and seems to run as well as when it was new.

I think it is a reflection of how much stuff one has going on in one’s life relative to available brainpower. In my 20s and 30s I used to laugh at people who went around with planner. I figured they were just trying to look important. I got everywhere I needed to be, got everything I needed to get done done, and didn’t need to write anything down. That ship sailed some time ago. Now I don’t even attempt to remember stuff without writing it down. Nor do I attempt to remember what is going on one day next week (or tomorrow) without checking my calendar. It may be different for others, but for me it comes down to available CPU cycles and focus. I guess I have enough going on that I don’t have a lot of spare cycles and writing stuff down (schedules, priorities, todo lists) conserves a few cycles. I suspect everyone has a method of organizing their life that works best for them.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
On understandings I have with other people, I want at least email documentation between the parties so it doesn't become a "That's not what I said" situation after the fact.

Have been involved in a few contracts and negotiations. Have learned that there are many assumptions and understandings on both sides that may or may not be shared. Sometimes, while surprising, it isn’t that big a deal. If it matters, it is worth probing “What exactly do you mean by that?” rather than assuming a shared expectation.

I love, I love, I love my calender APP
Yeah, sweet calender App
I love, I love, I love my calender App
Each and every day of the year!

da do da doo doo doot...

Photographic memory here … What’s the question again?

Since I've become note taking reliant,
I've noticed that there are some people that sigh, or roll their eyes when I
Ask them to allow me time
To
Write stuff down.

Like they have better things to do.

I find that attitude a bit dismisive and off putting.

A 3X5 pocket notebook was a requirement for me as a cop. I still carry one. Right hip pocket. I dont use it as much now but its still useful. No batteries needed either. RainWriter makes great stuff.

I often fail to find my grocery list. Is that bad?

quote:

Originally posted by Hamden106:
I often fail to find my grocery list. Is that bad?

I use a supermarket app list for that and Mrs. Flash's phone is set up to mirror mine, so it's on both of them.