A Done List gives you perspective, focuses on the positive, boosts your memory, and develops an excellent habit! Let me show you how to use this simple tool today!
I’m a self-proclaimed list-making junkie!
I make lists for everything and anything… including my daily to-do list, which I write out every night before I go to bed.
I’m also hugely motivated by productivity.
There’s no surer mood booster for me than when I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot (a.k.a. crossed everything off my list).
On the contrary, I can easily feel defeated and down in the dumps if I get to the end of my day with several to-dos left undone… or even if it feels like I didn’t get much accomplished.
Can you relate?
I’m certain my passion for productivity is one of the main reasons motherhood was SO challenging for me in those early years.
Full days and weeks went by with seemingly nothing significant accomplished — at least according to my mostly un-done to-do lists.
Looking back, my to-do lists were much too ambitious for a mother of an infant who never slept. Even still, I constantly struggled with feelings of inadequacy, inefficiency, and a very negative self-worth.
Then, I started making “Done Lists”…
It was during those early months of motherhood that I began making “Done Lists” for myself almost every night.
I’d force myself to look back over the day and write down every little thing I did — things like:
- made the bed
- took a shower
- made dinner
- held Nora while she took a nap
- walked around the block
- kept a newborn alive
- kept food in the fridge
- did a load of laundry
- read 5 pages in my book
- picked up the living room
- made breakfast and dinner for our family
- packed lunches
- held a fussy baby for a vast majority of the day
I know those of you who thrive on productivity and crossing things off your list can totally relate to my struggles!
As the years went by and my expectations of what I could and could not accomplish each day became more reasonable, I stopped making a physical Done List every single day.
However, I still regularly sit down and mentally tally everything I’ve done in a given day, week, or other period of time… and I do still make physical Done Lists throughout the month.
Why You Should Make a Done List:
1. Done Lists are instant mood boosters.
Making these mental Done Lists is one of the simplest things I do to instantly boost my mood.
It’s such a great feeling to look over a long list of things you accomplished (even simple things) instead of continually adding more and more to your to-do list and feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to do yet.
2. Done Lists are a great way to practice gratitude and appreciation.
Look over your list and be grateful for everything you DID accomplish, instead of berating yourself over the few things you didn’t accomplish.
Be appreciative of the ability you had (physically, mentally, emotionally) to do everything you were able to do, to help and serve others, to be creative, to make music, to play and read and write, to work around your home and in your garden, to rest, etc.
We all have so many gifts and talents that we use every day (often without thinking much about it). Making a Done List helps highlight our gifts, and provides an opportunity to be grateful for them.
3. Done Lists breed contentment.
For me, it’s significantly easier to be content with my home, life, abilities, etc. when I focus on what I DID accomplish and what I DO have versus what I didn’t accomplish or what I don’t have.
Of course, I don’t think we should be “content” to the point that we’re lazing around all day, not growing or improving or using our gifts… but I also know it’s not fun to live a life constantly wishing for more.
This sounds simple (because it is), but it’s not easy.
It takes continual intentional work to be content with our current lives, and making Done Lists can help.
What to put on your Done List:
There aren’t any rules as to what you can and cannot put on your Done List — but here are a few ideas to get you thinking (remember, nothing is too small).
- time spent playing with your kids or grandkids
- errands you ran
- meals you prepared
- pages of a book you read (for yourself or to children)
- craft projects you planned or implemented
- gifts you purchased, wrapped, or sent
- hobbies you worked on
- any household chore you made progress on
- emails, texts, or cards you sent to friends or family
- phone calls you made
- activities you finished
- time spent at work, school, or volunteering
- tackling homework with children
- driving various family members to and from activities or meetings
- watching a child’s sporting event or music concert
- spending time with an aging or sick friend or relative
- journaling or meditating
- exercising or even just walking around the block
- personal care (a.k.a. did you get a shower in today)
- any other seemingly small task you can think of
This might sound silly at first, but give it a try before you judge!
Different Types of Done Lists:
Start out with Daily Done Lists, just to create the habit.
Transition to Weekly Done Lists if that feels more doable long-term.
Create Monthly Done Lists for specific projects (at home or work) or to track time spent on specific projects (like how many books you read in a month, how many bags you donated, how often you exercised, how many blog posts or videos or other forms of content you created, etc.)
Try making a Family Done List after a fun vacation or holiday break. Our family regularly does this before the kids head back to school in August and in January. We talk about all the fun things we did over break, the things we ate, the people we spent time with, the places we visited, the highs and lows, etc. It’s mainly a time to reflect on our time together (and be grateful for all the good in our lives).
Encourage your kids to make their own Done Lists too — just so they can have that sense of accomplishment when they look over how many things they were able to do each day (even if they needed some help). This can really boost their sense of independence and motivate them to use their time wisely each day.
Take a moment at some point today to think back over everything you’ve accomplished and physically write it down.
Moving forward, I encourage you to make a Done List whenever you need a little boost or just want to slow down and reflect on all the small simple (but very worthwhile) things you accomplish each day.
I’m telling you — it works!
Have you ever made a Done List?
Sasha {Pathologically Literate} says
I am the Queen of Lists, too!! I make lists of the lists I need to make!
This was such a needed and timely post; I seriously thought I was the lone weirdo in the world who made a Done List each day — what a great feeling to know I’m not alone! I’m notorious for being a tad, er, overzealous when it comes to creating my To-Do List each day, so there are often quite a few items that are left undone by day’s end. My Done List counteracts any guilt or self-loathing I may be feeling about that by reminding me that I DID, in fact, have accomplishments throughout the day.
Cindy says
Andrea,
Although your morning routine is probably routine for you, just wondering if you started on your “To Do List” by writing down your routine? I am terrible at making lists thinking I can remember everything and then as I come across something that needs to be done, doing it then and then throwing off everything. What do you recommend? Need some help as I go through your Challenge.
For instance, I have to have quiet time on the computer catching up on things, drinking coffee and really meditating where I want to be in the day and then all of the sudden I find myself cleaning out a drawer, folding laundry or doing something that keeps my mind in a constant hustle because I feel I am behind. NEED HELP!
Andrea says
Hi Cindy,
At this point, I really don’t have to write my routine down — it’s just ingrained in me after years of doing things the same way.
I make my to-do list every night before I go to bed, and in the morning, I wake up, make the bed, get ready, and then start on my list (that IS my routine)
Maybe one of your goals can simply be to write more lists. Keep sticky notes, small pads of paper, and pens in your bedroom, bathroom, office, and kitchen. Write everything down and then look at your notes often. I think you will FEEL much less behind and less frazzled if you know things are written and if you can reference your list to see things you’ve accomplished.
sue says
Do it every day, otherwise I feel like I got nothing done,
when I know that I have done a bunch.
Sue in NJ
Andrea says
good for you!
Margaret says
A great idea. I do the variant of adding other things I do–and crossing them off–but I’ve never done the “done list”.
I can imagine it could be very helpful in dealing with depression as well. Will remember it if I start spiraling down again as a method of positively reinforcing things like getting out of bed and taking a shower. I find a to-do list a very helpful way of structuring my off-work time and helping to keep depression at bay, but a couple of steps lower and it’s just another unmet task,
Andrea says
try the “done list” — you’ll love it! 🙂
Rachel says
Rather than make a separate Done List, I use a colored highlighter to cross things off on my original To Do list; that way, I can still see what I accomplished while visually marking off a completed task. I use this method with all of my lists: homeschool, grocery, daily tasks, packing for a trip, etc. Visually, it’s easier on my eyes than all of the scribbles from a pen.
Andrea says
good idea with the highlighter!
For me, I don’t always write EVERY SINGLE THING I need to or want to do each day. For example, I won’t write “take a shower” or “make my bed” or “take a walk” or “play with the kids” on my to-do list — so on the days when I feel like I didn’t accomplish anything, It’s helpful to make a new list of all the things I did… things that wouldn’t necessarily be on my regular to-do list.
Does that make sense?
Rachel says
Yes, absolutely!
Susie says
I keep a calendar beside the couch and when I sit down for a few minutes, I update all the things I have done. This helps with not feeling guilty as I sit for a few short minutes!
Andrea says
good for you!
Holly Sanford says
I am a huge list maker! My kids make fun of me constantly. I have my planner, I stick post-it notes all over the planner as I go through the day, etc. My kids (college-age) have tried to convince me to switch to putting my to-do lists on my phone but I like writing it out on paper and crossing it out with my favorite colored pens, lol.
Andrea says
different styles work for different people. I learn (and remember) better if I physically write something down — so I have a feeling I’ll be a list gal forever and ever! Nothing better then crossing off the daily to-dos!
Jimena says
Never!
I think it´s a great idea!
Starting right now 🙂
Andrea says
yay — there’s a first time for everything!
Heather says
This past summer I kept track on my calendar of what we did even if it was as simple as going to some garage sales and eating popsicles with the neighbor kids. As a teacher I hate the feeling at the end of the summer of you feel you didn’t do anything. I love keeping track of what we did.
Andrea says
we did the EXACT same thing! I used my wall calendar to write various things we did every day and then used that to look back on (and it helped me make my digital photo books too!)
Roxie says
I do this from time to time…I’ll have a list to accomplish and feel like I haven’t done anything…so I’ll add what I actually DID to that list and cross it off. You’re right…gives a sense of accomplishment!
Andrea says
oh yes, I totally do this too 🙂
adding already done things to my list is very rewarding!!
Allison says
Having the kids do it at the end of a school break is a great idea! When they go back to school and the teacher or friends ask what they did over break, they will be prepared to answer instead of saying they did nothing.
Rhonda says
I’m not sure where I heard it (maybe Gretchen Rubin?) – but I like the term “Ta-Da” list. Like, “Ta-Da! This is what I’ve accomplished today.”
Andrea says
that’s cool — I like the “ta-da” list 🙂
Marsha says
I am a retired grandmother now, and although I do not call it a Done List I make a list every day. I include walk, shower, phone calls, emails, and texts that need to be made, and every little thing I do, need to do, or plan to do throughout the day. I taught school for 30 years and raised 2 children. My days are definitely slower paced now and it is easy to procrastinate and not get much done. The list helps keep me focused and by listing pretty much everything I do, I feel more productive…I am more productive!
Andrea says
thanks for sharing — glad to know this works for different seasons of life as well!
Shelley says
I have never made a “done” list but I frequently write things on my daily to do list that I did extra and then cross them right off-lol
Andrea says
oh yeah, we’ve all been there! I do this regularly! 🙂
JJ says
Me, too!
Paulette says
What a great idea. I need this so much because I’m kind of “driven” to accomplish and some days I look back and wonder what I actually did and I feel so guilty. Turns out, quite a bit if I really think about it! I’m going to try this, Andrea. Thank you so much!
Andrea says
it’s such an eye-opening thing to do at the end of a particularly busy day — or whenever you feel like you maybe didn’t get everything accomplished you were hoping to.
Beth says
When my boys were babies, especially after #2, I would often make a “done” list as a more experienced mom had advised. Often this list would include the number of diaper changes, the meals made, fed and cleaned up after, kid activities (books red, coloring done, blocks built), etc. It was really helpful when sleep was at a premium with 2 young little ones to recognize where my time and energy went for the day. The idea behind the advice was to appreciate all the things and time investments that go into your littles. They can be exhausting but so well worth the “investment”. I would even write down “shower” as that usually felt like an accomplishment! 😉
Ashley says
Yes! As mom’s it’s so easy to feel like we did nothing all day when in fact we spent a lot of time and energy tending to and loving our children. I include showing for me on my list too, as well as giving the kids a bath (they don’t bathe every day), cleaning out the dishwasher, laundry…. anything that doesn’t happen every day. Helps me up be realistic with my expectations of my day when I think through all the things I need to do that aren’t “to do list worthy”
Andrea says
yes, yes — all worthwhile tasks that could be included on a done list!
Patty Gardner says
I sure have – usually on those days when my plan for the day goes south for the winter. On those days, I feel like I haven’t been productive since I didn’t get the things done on my list but then when I make a list of everything I did, I see that I got a lot done it just wasn’t what I expected to do. Some days are just like that.
Zolane says
I have…every time I make a to do list (typically every day) I add the “done” items that were completed that morning prior to making my “to dos”. Just gives me that little oomph to start the other projects.
cassie says
I have never made a done list, but this sounds like a great idea!