We all talk about our “to do” lists. We usually complain that we never get all of the tasks done on that list. Our “to do” lists are often huge. Some of the tasks on the list are open-ended projects. The pressure of that list looming over us saps our energy and motivation. We whittle away at the small, easy tasks on the list but at the end of the day wonder what we have done.
What would it feel like if you kept track of your “done” list? A “done” list can give you a chance to review your day and see what you really did accomplish. It may be a lot more than you think. It gives you more perspective and a chance to celebrate your accomplishments and reward yourself for a job well done. It also gives you a chance to see how many items on your “done” list are moving you toward your goals and how many are really just “pencil sharpening” type tasks.
When writing up your “done” list, give yourself credit for doing increments of large projects. If you are planning a presentation and today you wrote the outline, that’s a “done.” If you are organizing your closet and today you cleared 2 shelves, that’s a “done.”
The “to do” lists are an intention. Putting items that you plan to do on your calendar is a commitment. At the end of the day, looking at your “done” list gives you some validation and helps you evaluate your “to do” list for the next day.
Try working on a “done” list system for a while and see if it doesn’t improve your productivity and your sense of accomplishment.
Jonda S. Beattie Professional Organizer
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