I use a derivation of the 3 T's - Turn, Time, Chat.
Turn (onto HDG)
Time (start stopwatch)
Comms (chx for freq. change on new HDG
Heading (chx HDG and bug)
Altitude (chx maintain apt. Alt.)
Time (double chx stopwatch)
I like your first one AffirmBrest, you're right it would certainly spring to mind in a fix.
Cheers,
ATCS