Montanans, How Well Do You Take Instructions?

Last Friday I had been tasked with writing some instructions for my substitute producer on providing audio clips for a show host.  And have them ready by Monday.  Felt my weekend was hampered before it even started.  Writing down all the programs, websites, clicks and details would have sent those instructions well over half a dozen pages.

The oppressive summer heat was the only thing keeping me home so I could whittle on this assignment.

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A Lesson Remembered

Years ago, I prepared national commercials for broadcast over these radio stations; the jargon we call these ads is "Barter."  The steps and details were painstaking.  Quilting is more stimulating just for the creativity.  Anyway, I planned a vacation to visit a friend, so a show host asked for instructions on how to prepare barter.

I spent several hours writing the details: where to get the digital audio, how to paste two ads into a one-minute audio file, what number codes to document in our broadcast software.  I don't remember the steps now, but the instructions were quite a few pages, but organized so he can follow them.  Then I went on vacation.

Saturday morning, I got a call from this show host, asking for guidance to load in the barter.  I don't think he bothered to read what I wrote.  At my friend's house, I spent three hours on the phone giving oral instructions.  I never asked anyone to cover for me again, instead I prepped the barter before I took time off.

That experience tainted my view of this recent writing task.  I sure as (insert optional swearword) was not going to waste hours writing detailed procedures that were not likely to be read.  For me it was easier to teach in person and have a set of cheat sheets for my sub.

This last Monday morning, I personally guided this nice and very smart young man through all the little mouse clicks for show prep, then left him with a printout of my cheat sheets.  Much easier on my nerves.  I'll bet he learned quicker too.

So Reader, I ask, how do you prefer to learn something and take instruction?  Do you retain details when listening to spoken guidance?  Do you feel the security of written instructions you can refer to?  Or like me, do you learn by doing with a little guidance and a handy cheat sheet as a reminder?

I have a line about instructions: Real men don't need instructions, but real smart men use them anyway.