Hi everyone!
I couldn’t quite sidestep this one — and at Margarita’s kind insistence, I’m sharing my personal story about checklists. I’ve been using them for many years now — long before they became a popular productivity trend — and they’ve become an integral part of how I work and live.
To give you some context: I’m someone who naturally gravitates toward structure and systems. So much so that at times it catches even me off guard. But over the years, I’ve come to see this not as a quirk, but as one of my greatest strengths — especially in the fast-moving world of international business.
Let me start with a quick philosophical note. Time is the most valuable resource we have — and once it’s gone, we can’t get it back. That belief shapes the way I approach everything, and it’s why there’s a copy of Being and Time by Martin Heidegger on my desk. While Heidegger didn’t write about checklists, he explored something deeply relevant: the concept of care — the intention and focus we bring to how we live and spend our time. That idea stuck with me.
My work involves managing projects of various sizes — each requiring attention, precision, and, yes, care. Add in constant travel across time zones, and working with companies from a wide range of industries, and it becomes clear why structure is essential. That’s what led me to rely on checklists — not just occasionally, but as a daily tool for clarity and control.
I use checklists in all kinds of situations: when preparing for important meetings or negotiations, during client consultations (I have a core list of key questions I always cover), and even while packing for business trips. I still remember the time I nearly left my laptop charging at home — the checklist saved me. I glanced at it right before heading to the airport.
Checklists aren’t just part of my professional life. They’ve followed me into academic projects and even into my hobbies. In the summer, I enjoy paddleboarding, and every time before heading out, I go through my gear checklist. It’s a small ritual that saves me from bigger problems — like realizing too late that I’ve forgotten the paddle.
Over time, I’ve come to see that checklists do far more than help avoid mistakes. They free up mental space, reduce stress, and ensure consistency — and for our clients, that translates directly into value. At our consulting firm, we create tailored checklists that support international business growth — from market entry readiness and compliance to operational planning and execution. These are more than just lists; they are structured tools that help companies move faster and smarter.
So yes, I’m a systems person. But that’s not a flaw — it’s a strength. And thanks to checklists, it’s a strength that allows me (and our team) to do more with less — and help our clients succeed with greater focus, clarity, and confidence.
I couldn’t quite sidestep this one — and at Margarita’s kind insistence, I’m sharing my personal story about checklists. I’ve been using them for many years now — long before they became a popular productivity trend — and they’ve become an integral part of how I work and live.
To give you some context: I’m someone who naturally gravitates toward structure and systems. So much so that at times it catches even me off guard. But over the years, I’ve come to see this not as a quirk, but as one of my greatest strengths — especially in the fast-moving world of international business.
Let me start with a quick philosophical note. Time is the most valuable resource we have — and once it’s gone, we can’t get it back. That belief shapes the way I approach everything, and it’s why there’s a copy of Being and Time by Martin Heidegger on my desk. While Heidegger didn’t write about checklists, he explored something deeply relevant: the concept of care — the intention and focus we bring to how we live and spend our time. That idea stuck with me.
My work involves managing projects of various sizes — each requiring attention, precision, and, yes, care. Add in constant travel across time zones, and working with companies from a wide range of industries, and it becomes clear why structure is essential. That’s what led me to rely on checklists — not just occasionally, but as a daily tool for clarity and control.
I use checklists in all kinds of situations: when preparing for important meetings or negotiations, during client consultations (I have a core list of key questions I always cover), and even while packing for business trips. I still remember the time I nearly left my laptop charging at home — the checklist saved me. I glanced at it right before heading to the airport.
Checklists aren’t just part of my professional life. They’ve followed me into academic projects and even into my hobbies. In the summer, I enjoy paddleboarding, and every time before heading out, I go through my gear checklist. It’s a small ritual that saves me from bigger problems — like realizing too late that I’ve forgotten the paddle.
Over time, I’ve come to see that checklists do far more than help avoid mistakes. They free up mental space, reduce stress, and ensure consistency — and for our clients, that translates directly into value. At our consulting firm, we create tailored checklists that support international business growth — from market entry readiness and compliance to operational planning and execution. These are more than just lists; they are structured tools that help companies move faster and smarter.
So yes, I’m a systems person. But that’s not a flaw — it’s a strength. And thanks to checklists, it’s a strength that allows me (and our team) to do more with less — and help our clients succeed with greater focus, clarity, and confidence.