My whole deal is not to forget something that will later make me say, "Ahh Man I forgot THAT!"
This could be my patchkit/pump, house key, or cycling shorts in the middle of summer (that I needed to change into from work cloths latter that day)...before going out the door I usually created a picture of myself in my head and make sure I have every body part covered for cycling attire (that I have to take with me to work by car) latter in the day, proper shoes/socks, cycling shorts, bright yellow shirt, helmet, gloves, sunglasses, patchkit/pump, wallet, housekey, towel.