Forget To-Do Lists. Try a “Done” List Instead.
Let’s be honest. How many times have you rewritten the same to-do list carrying over tasks from yesterday, last week, or even last month? It’s like Groundhog Day but in bullet points and instead of feeling productive, you end the day feeling like a failure for not getting everything done. Again. But what if you could flip the script? What if instead of chasing checkboxes, you celebrated your daily accomplishments?
Enter: The Done List.
Learning to shift your attention towards what already has been done rather than what still needs to get done can alter how you approach your entire day. It creates forward momentum and a sense of accomplishment before you even begin to tackle your day. Accomplishments can show up as the big things, the small things, and even the unexpected things in-between which may feel seemingly insignificant. No matter how grand or how small, an accomplishment is an accomplishment nonetheless. When you learn to stop planning forward and instead learn to reflect backward you alter your entire mindset. Sure, there’s a little dopamine hit that comes with checking something off a to- do list but that pales in comparison to the boost you get from seeing a list of everything you've achieved in just one day. Suddenly the simple chore of folding laundry, calming a cranky kid, writing that tricky email, or simply taking a walk become accomplished tasks rather than distractions from your never ending to-do list. These small accomplishments can completely change the way you move through your day.
Here’s the best part, Done Lists don’t judge. They don’t care if you stuck to “the plan” or got derailed throughout the day. Their sole purpose is to give you credit for everything you accomplished in a day, big or small. Who couldn’t use that kind of daily positive reinforcement? Here’s the hard truth, life isn’t a checklist. Life is messy, unpredictable, even chaotic at times but in-between all of that are small, nearly invisible victories scattered throughout. The more you tune into them, the more of those victories you’ll see. The Done List doesn’t just track your tasks, it validates your effort. It shifts your focus from “not enough” to “look what I pulled off” and let’s be honest, doesn’t that feel a whole lot better that the disappointment and letdown of not ticking off everything on your to-do list? It’s far more gentle and compassionate to your psyche and creates a more empowered and motivated you!
So let’s throw out the guilt, ditch the pressure, burn your to-do list (or at the very least, toss it aside) and start giving yourself the credit that you deserve with a Done List which will prove to you that you’ve actually been crushing it all along! These are just some of the benefits of utilizing a Done List:
Builds Momentum - Seeing what you’ve already accomplished gives you a motivational boost to keep moving forward.
Reduces Guilt- Instead of ending the day feeling like you didn’t do “enough,” you finish with proof of your progress.
Increases Self-Awareness - It shows you how you actually spend your time, not just what you plan to do.
Celebrates Small Wins - Everything counts including emails, errands, deep breaths and difficult conversations. Finally, validation for all the little things you do.
Tracks Invisible Work - Mental labor, emotional energy, spontaneous problem-solving - it all gets recognized.
Improves Focus - Reflecting on what you’ve done helps you identify what’s meaningful and what’s just noise in your day.
Redefines Productivity - Shifts your mindset away from hustle culture and moves you towards intentional living and self-appreciation.
Eases Burnout - When you can see your effort, you're less likely to feel like you’re constantly behind.
Boosts Confidence - You don’t have to rely on external validation because your Done List shows you how capable you already are.
It’s Low-Maintenance - You don’t need any fancy tools or planning ahead, you simply track your day as it unfolds.
Starting a Done List is easy. Just pick a format that works for you whether it’s a notes app on your phone, a physical notebook, or even a sticky note on your desk. Every time you finish something, jot it down. Don’t worry about how big or small your action it is. Brushed your teeth? That counts. Sent that email you were dreading? Definitely counts! What matters is that it happened. At the end of the day, take a moment to read over your list and notice what filled your time and what you’d like to do more (or less of) tomorrow. If you prefer a bit more structure, start your day with one or two intentions which are general themes or focuses for your day rather than a rigid list of “must-do” tasks. Then, let the Done List tell the story of how the day actually unfolded. This balance helps keep your day flexible while still giving you some sense of direction.
Your productivity isn’t measured by how many boxes you tick, it’s measured by how present and engaged you are with your day. The Done List isn’t about hustling and doing all of the things, it’s about bringing about awareness and giving yourself the recognition you deserve. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for your mental clarity is to stop trying to conquer your day and instead, start celebrating it. So grab a piece of paper, start noting all of your daily accomplishments and watch your confidence and life satisfaction soar!
