Do you recognise the feeling at the end of the day that you look at your to do list and it seems to only have gotten longer? It can be really difficult to feel a sense of accomplishment about your workday when it looks like you didn’t achieve anything.
Traditional to-do lists, a hallmark of many people’s productivity practices, can start to feel overwhelming. Researchers have found 46% of people are overwhelmed by their to-do list. And 60% are so over-committed they can’t finish everything.
The to-do list can become especially overwhelming when unexpected tasks or situations pop up throughout the day and your to-do list is getting bigger and your day ends with frustration rather than accomplishment.
The Ta Da List
Gretchin Rubin, bestselling author and podcast host, says instead of making a to-do list, you should make a ‘ta-da’ list. “Sometimes you may be resisting the to-do list,” Rubin said “The ta-da list is — especially if you’re working on a big project and you feel like, ‘I’ve been working and working, I’m not making any progress’ — write down everything you’ve done. Ta-da! It’s encouraging, it’s energizing.”
Does this sound like you? Then it’s time for you to welcome the ta-da list! At any point throughout the day, when you have accomplished a task or a win, write it down and record it!
Documenting your achievements throughout the day can be a great motivator making you feel like you are accomplishing a lot throughout the day – you will be surprised how long your lists get. Instead of ending your day focused on the things you didn’t do, focus on the things that you did do!
Why Accomplishment Is Important
Accomplishments in life is important to push ourselves to thrive and flourish.
Having goals and ambition in life can help us to achieve things that can give us a sense of accomplishment. Making realistic goals that can be met and putting effort into those goals can already give you a sense of satisfaction when you finally achieve them, as well as a sense of pride and fulfillment.
It has been proven that people who have goals which align with their values are more likely to achieve success and that people who have goals that target personal growth and connections with others have greater increase in wellbeing