I check starter warning light out after start and that brakes are holding.
Oh yes - and check brakes are on before starting...
Another thing I do is check that the controls which can move (so not rudder if linked to the nose wheel) can reach their control limits and are free once you are sitting in (so avoiding knee boards). I also exercise each of the other physically operated controls (such as alternate air, trim, mixture, etc).
I pretty much never have nav lights on as my permit AC isn't night rated, so they are never needed (so why bother drawing the power and wasting the bulbs). I might turn them on for added visibility for others if getting near dusk, but if I'm having difficulty seeing - I shouldn't be flying!