In the pandemic days, the importance of handwashing was widely communicated. There were videos showing how to carry out this supposedly simple task of washing your hands.
One fine day, lazily scrolling as one bored ape does on good’ol twitter, I came up on this small video clip that demonstrated what difference technique makes. Two hands wearing light blue gloves using black ink to show how technique improves coverage and time taken. No, I can’t find the original tweet (because I didn’t try) but below is a similar video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9s5CnQAwL4
This simple message really left an impression on me. It made me actively think about small little techniques I have developed over time for something I had to repeat. Often subtle tricks I learned from other incorporated in the process.
One simple example. Ever since parts of me grew out of being a child, one thing I have grown a liking for is eating legumes (a.k.a grains?). After doing it a few times with different legumes, I would search and take notes of the amount of water required per part of each type of legume. I would learn how much salt I’d prefer. Legumes usually need to be soaked over night for better results. As I put them to soak, I have started measuring the amount of water needed, have it ready in a flask with the right amount of water and salt added so I can just throw it all in the rice cooker when I wake up late next morning.
There are many other, simple, maybe insignificant techniques I now notice I have built up to make things easier, or rather, flow nicely in tasks of day to day life. All thanks to that video and especially the framing the original tweet did.
Gotta love technique!
Oh and simple, effective communication.