I once spent half my morning rigging up a hoist to lift a 50-pound bucket of fish guts onto the boat instead of the actual cargo. Guess I was just too caught up thinking in rigging terms! It was a pretty stinky reminder to always double-check your load – or at least hold your nose while you do.
I once got so caught up in setting up a winch for a sail that I ended up forgetting the anchor entirely! Just like you said, sometimes it’s good to step back and remember the basics… A little checklist can save you from a smelly mess — especially with fish guts involved.
Haha, I’ve definitely mixed up my loads, too! One time, I rigged the lunchbox instead of the boom. Lesson learned: never rig on an empty stomach! 
Have you tried using color codes for your loads?
@jmorrison71, I’ve definitely had my share of mix-ups too! One time I tried to hoist a toolbox instead of a bag of ice for a party, and let’s just say the drinks were a bit late. It’s funny how our brains can get so wired to one thing that we forget the basics.