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Do you get tired of making to do lists but not getting anything on the list done?
- Do you hate seeing that long list of stuff you need to do and knowing you won’t get much, if any, of it marked off?
- Does having a list with more items remaining than checked off at the end of the day make you feel like a failure?
If to do lists don’t work for you, maybe it’s time to try something different. Toss the to do list and instead make a DONE LIST. That’s right. Don’t make to do lists anymore. Instead of making a list of all the things you need to do, make a list of the things you DID. You can compile the list as you go or jot it down at the end of the day. You’ll be amazed at how much you actually got done. And perhaps, not having the pressure of that demanding to do list, you might actually get done some of the things you would have put on a list.
Unfortunately, a to do list can’t be completely abandoned. There are things that we REALLY MUST DO. You can put those items on your planner or calendar page but only if they absolutely MUST BE DONE. Everything else stays off the list until you actually do it.
Write your list directly on your calendar or in your planner. Then you have a permanent record of what you did and when you start feeling bad about how little (or so it seems) you get done, you can read through all your lists and see how productive you actually are.
So if to do lists are making you crazy, give the DONE LIST a shot and see if it works better. And let me know what you think.
I like this idea better than that of a to-do list. I think it would work really well for a results-oriented person.
I agree. Most of the time I use a to-do list but sometimes I do this. It can make me so much more productive and that’s a very good thing!
I love this idea since I never seem to complete my to-do lists. lol And I hate having to carry things over to the next day or week.
It can be very effective at increasing productivity. Let me know if you try it.
I think this is a great idea & I’ve used this in the past to encourage myself when I felt like I wasn’t getting much done. It was great to look back at the week & see how well I’d got on
Me, too. I don’t use it on a daily basis but I use it often for the very reason you described!
Great idea! Thank you so much for sharing. A to-do list can feel so daunting, but a done list is a celebration of sorts. I love it.
Sometimes that’s just what you need!
I do this, too! I call it my “Ta-Da List”. It usually explains why I’m so tired at the end of the day, when I think I haven’t done anything all day.
It’s important feel you’ve accomplished something during the day.
Well said, Elaine!
I always add items that I do to my to-do list and check them off right away…does this count as a DONE list?
I do that, too! It definitely counts!!!