Editor's Note: Today we present the fourth installment in a special inspirational series from business performance improvement expert Laurence B. Valant, who specializes in growing profits for accounting firms and general business. Larry has been a frequent contributor to our newsletter, and again today, we feature excerpts from his new book, Stop Breaking These Rules! 100 Hard-Hitting Truths for Business Integrity and Performance. If you want more information or would like to order a copy of the wonderful new book, please visit www.valantco.com.

11 - Write it down so you don't forget it.
       A key part of being viewed as reliable (and this should be everyone's goal) is not forgetting. And invariably, most of us when we are busy, will forget what we don't write down. We have all observed those who write their to-do's on a scrap of paper and then wonder where they put the scrap of paper. More now than ever, in the era of computers and PDAs with built in reminders, forgetting is not an acceptable excuse.

       My personal rules are:

• I write down my commitments in my Outlook task list or calendar, clearly defining what I have to do, when it is due, and for whom.
• I set due dates with reminders and alarms.
• I review and update my task list and calendar at the beginning of each day.
• At the end of each day, I review my meeting notes and the happenings of my day, updating my calendar and task list.

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