Blog: Leave Things Better Than You Found Them

I am a job aid queen. Have been since before they were called “job aids.” In my career I’ve left two jobs where it took two people to replace me…I’m not one to toot my own horn, but “toot-toot!”

When I left those (and just about every) jobs I left very detailed instructions about what I did, when I did it, how I did it, who I did it for, etc. The times I did have someone call to ask me a follow-up question, not only was I able to answer the question but could tell them where they could find my write up about that topic.

One of the lessons of my childhood that’s stuck with me (I think it was from Brownies when I was in elementary school) is to “leave things better than you found them.” I believe this lesson was about not littering, picking up litter when you found it, and only taking pictures of flowers on hikes so that other people could enjoy them. In whatever way the lesson was learned, it’s been applied in many other contexts.

I think one of the things that has helped me over the years is to have processes and to be consistent in reproducing those processes and communicating them to others. My processes may not be perfect, and I’m always open to suggestions, but they’ve worked for me.

When I was preparing software eLearning materials for the USDA Forest Service, I put together an outline of what information I needed from an SME when they had a new task that needed to be trained on. By having an “intake” form, I knew I always asked people for the same information to get started with. I’m using a similar approach in my work with the Jefferson County (CO) Library – they did not have a documented system for creating a course or tutorial, so I am creating a job aid so that everyone who creates these materials for the library will be able to create “matching” materials to those I create. (I have a couple of other projects where this methodology has also been beneficial.)

I’m always surprised by how many people will get in touch and say, “can you remind me how to do this?” Didn’t you take notes when I showed you the last two times? (haha) I’ve learned that if it happens once, it’s likely going to happen several times, so I save myself time by writing out the instructions and either sending a doc or copying/pasting the instructions into an email whenever it comes up. (I don’t rely on other people saving the docs themselves, so I do. I’ve saved heaps of time doing this.)

Make it easy for people to access and use the information they’re looking for. Whether you’re creating content for a course, writing an email, or giving directions to a stranger in a parking lot – be clear, concise, accurate, and easy to follow. Take the time to confirm that the other party fully understands the instructions and be available for questions as the situation is appropriate.

References

Altmann, G. (n.d.). Workflow image. https://pixabay.com/illustrations/mark-marker-hand-write-516277/.

Hassan, M. (n.d.). Presentation illustration. https://pixabay.com/illustrations/manual-book-user-guide-document-3684460/.

OPWL 537 Course Instructors. (2021). Instructional Design Course Handbook. Boise, ID: Boise State department of Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning.

Rothwell, W., Benscoter, B., King, M., & King, S. B. (2016). Mastering the Instructional Design Process: A Systematic Approach (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.