Checklists
Make your own using the important parts of the manufactures checklist and adding the bits they missed out and use the flow technique as has already been mentioned so you can do most of it by memory then check the list.
One of my items not on any manufacturers list is "phone off" ( if you wish).
The C182RG I flew made no mention of UC selector down before master switch is switched on!
In fact hydraulic pressure is best checked before manouvering as if the weight is removed from the nosewheel it can retract itself if the AC has been laid up a while!
DO.