Morning @Former-Member .....
Dont know whether it is if any use to you, but with my family members the equivalent of that happens regularly. There is a focus on the main thing that needs to be done, and a “Whatever ...!” thought, if that, given to the corresponding details.
I thought about it for a while, then came up with the key phrase / question ..... “Mind if I check the detail ?” to which I would usually receive a quizzical look. From there, without necessarily waiting for an answer I would start gently listing (will use your example here).
- have you removed all spider webs and snails so we don’t end up with spiders or snails in the car ?
- have you used an old towel or tarp to protect the car from damp ?
(These two first because they affect the person you are speaking to)
- have you made sure none of the pots are broken, because we can’t gift those ones .....
i have found that it has caused my family to start considering at that level, and even mr.F&H will come to me and ask me to check that he has covered everything when he is not sure about details. It has prompted them to understand that things need to be checked a bit for peripheral detail, and potential unforeseen outcomes, but because I am dealing with perfectionists, I also have to draw a line with, “That’ll do it” and “that’s good enough” and “Oh, dear, that bit got missed, but we can fix it up this way, and that’ll do ..... “
I remember my Mum schooling me to do this, and I think mr.’s Mum didn’t, just got ostracised for each and every mistake, perceived or real ..... so this is a late lesson, but it’s still working, so perhaps it works after a life-transforming event too ..... a gentle putting of thought processes back into place.
