Using Your Have-Done List

Do you have a habit of making list after list and not getting anywhere with it? Does it grow and grow until you feel overwhelmed? This was me a few years back. I couldn't quite get a handle on what I thought I needed to do. I put my to do lists aside and for about a week it was uncomfortable. Even though I rarely checked anything off of my list, I seemed to need to have a list.

What I did was, I created a system of making a "done list." Now I write down what I have done instead of what I think I need to do. What a difference! I'm surprised at how many things I have finished that remained on my to do lists for days, weeks, even months.

For example, my to do list would look something like this:

TO DO:

Write script for reducing insomnia 
Re-caulk the tub 
Wash windows 
Take cat to groomer

My whole list was actually much larger than this, but I just kept putting them off. I was disorganized with my doing-ness.

When I decided to write things down after I completed them, I was surprised to find out how much more I felt I accomplished.

DONE:

Picked up dry cleaning 
Wrote newsletter 
Went for morning walk 
Finished doing dishes 
Met with three clients 
Wrote 12 pages for workshop. 
Made dinner for family 
Paid bills

When I looked back at it, it felt really good. Now, I'm compelled to make sure I keep a done list, so that I can appreciate everything that I do. It's very rewarding.

This weeks exercise:

Put aside your to do list. Start keeping a "Done" list. Watch how easily your fill your day and get things done. Everything seems to be accomplished quicker, too. What a difference it will make. Instead of looking at a challenging list, now you've got all of your accomplishments listed before you.

Amy_D_Hale

Enter Your Email Address For Update :

Delivered by FeedBurner

Related Post :