Checklist Quotes

Every wise pilot,

even the most talented and experienced,

will use his checklist,

or he will die.

Michael McCafferty

The checklist is the pilot's moment of humility.
He subordinates his (massive) ego to follow the checklist,
because if he doesn't, he will die.

Checklists save lives,
and businesses,
but only if they are used.

Here are more checklist quotes by some remarkable people:


The checklist is one of the most high powered productivity tools ever discovered. ~ Brian Tracy

My books are always tactical, bullet lists, this is what you need to do because I'm trying to appeal to people who are trying to change the world and they need checklists. ~ Guy Kawasaki

Rename your “To-Do” list to your “Opportunities” list. Each day is a treasure chest filled with limitless opportunities; take joy in checking many off your list. ~ Steve Maraboli

One of the secrets of getting more done is to make a TO DO List every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as you go through the day. ~ Jean de La Fontaine

A checklist cannot fly a plane. Instead, they provide reminders of only the most critical and important steps. Atul Gawande

Under conditions of complexity, not only are checklists a help, they are required for success. ~ Atul Gawande

The checklist cannot be lengthy. A rule of thumb some use is to keep it to between five and nine items, which is the limit of working memory. ~ Atul Gawande

No matter how expert you may be, well-designed checklists can improve outcomes. ~ Steven Levitt

Checklists seem lowly and simplistic, but they help fill in for the gaps in our brains and between our brains. ~ Atul Gawande

I make lists to keep my anxiety level down. ~ Mary Roach