Have you ever ended the day feeling like you didn’t really do anything?
Well, okay, you know you did stuff. You got out of bed, took a shower, made breakfast. But you just don’t feel like you got anything done.
The truth is you probably did more today than you think. Most of us tend to focus on what we didn’t do, what we missed, or what we messed up. Our accomplishments and achievements? Those we forget or overlook.
Going to bed with that “didn’t get anything done today” feeling can be de-motivating. And that lack of motivation can end up carrying over into the next day.
Luckily, there’s a solution.
Start keeping a Done List.
What is a Done List?
A Done List is a bit like a To-Do List. The difference is in how they’re made.With a To-Do List, you start the day with a list of things you want to do. As you complete those tasks and projects, you check them off the list as “done.”
With a Done List, you don’t start with a list of predetermined tasks. Instead, you start with a blank sheet of paper. And, as the day chugs along, you add the things you do to your Done List.
And you don’t just write down things you’ve finished either.
With a To-Do List, you only get “credit” for things you actually finish and check off.
Say you work on a report for an hour, but you don’t finish it. Since you didn’t finish, you can’t check it off your to-do list. Making progress on a project is always a good thing. But what sometimes happens is you feel so down about the empty check-box next to that to-do that you can’t feel good about the hour of work you got done.
With a Done List, you’d add something like this to your list:
“Worked on report for an hour.”
The fact that you didn’t finish doesn’t matter. Instead, you focus on—and feel good about—the hour of work you did, and the progress you made.
I’m sure you can guess which one of those is more motivating.
Now To-Do Lists aren’t a bad thing. In fact, they’re great when used the right way. But a Done List can help to increase your motivation and, as a result, your productivity.
Here are 3 tips that will help you get the most out of a Done List.
3 Done List Tips and Tricks
Try Going without Your To-Do List
Can’t imagine getting through the day without your To-Do List? Well, there’s no law that says you can’t keep a To-Do List and a Done List at the same time. But trying to keep track of two lists could end up being more trouble than it’s worth.Many people find that a Done List is all they need to have a productive day. So why not replace your To-Do List with a Done List, at least for a day or two, and see how it works for you?
If you’re worried you’ll forget what you need to do without a To-Do List, just write those tasks on a stickie note or index card. Next, put the list in a place where it will always be visible (like the wall next to your desk). If you make a point of glancing at the list throughout the day, you won’t forget the things you want to do and work on.
Decide When You’ll Write Down Your “Dones”
There are two ways to go about keeping a Done List.First is keeping a running Done List. Any time you complete a task or do some work on a project, take a moment to add it to your Done List.
Just the act of adding something new to your list can be extremely motivating. You’ll find yourself wanting to do something else so you can add another “done” to the list.
But, for some, stopping every 15 to 30 minutes to add something new to their Done List starts to feel like a hassle. And what happens when something feels like a hassle? Well, you’re more likely not to do it.
So an alternative is to wait until the end of the day to make your Done List. Just take 5 or 10 minutes to write down everything you did or got done, no matter how big or small.
This is a great option if you don’t want to give up your To-Do List, but still want to enjoy the benefits of keeping a Done List.
Choose a “List” You’re Comfortable With
Some claim that keeping a Done List by hand is the only way to go. And writing things by hand does have its benefits.Others say you simply must use an app. They’re so much more convenient than paper and pen, aren’t they?
But, when it comes down to it, it’s all about what you’re most comfortable with.
If you want to keep your list by hand, just turn to a blank page in your notebook and get started. Or you can even use a piece of scrap paper that you’ve folded in half and stuck in your pocket.
If you want to go digital, your options are almost limitless. You can keep your Done List in a program like Evernote, in a simple text document on your computer, or in a to-do list app on your phone. All that matters is that it’s something you find easy to use.
Being able to look at a list and see what you’ve done will motivate you to do more. So if you’re looking for ways to be more productive, you should definitely give keeping a Done List a try.
