A checklist minimizes such a likelihood by providing a structured approach to performing aviation procedures in a consistent way.
Consistently unthinking 'by rote' way? You're not getting it, are you?
The best checklist I ever came across was in the film 'Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines'.
The German officer read from his checklist:
Nr 1 - Sit down!
Lovely! And actually, it perfectly illustrates the point I'm trying to make here.