I love lists. I make lists every day - grocery, to-do, done, dreams, places I want to visit, books I need to read, songs to download. It goes on and on and on. The note feature on my iPad is littered with lists.
Almost a year ago, I started making to-do lists for each week and sharing them with my accountability group. The list held my goals and aspirations for the week; the things I wanted to get accomplished. Soon, however, I felt like the lists became a competition. Who could get more done? Who could get the most done? If my list only has three things on it, is that ok? I became very discouraged by the list. In an effort to remedy my waning enthusiasm, I started making daily lists instead of weekly lists. I was able to accomplish more this way, but I would go through days thinking, did I do anything? What did I accomplish? Sometimes, especially when working on large projects, it is difficult to see the results of our labors. We can't see progress as it is occurring even though it is there.
Recently, I've changed tactics yet again...I'm not making accomplishment lists! I still have my long to-do list with aspirations, but each day, in my journal, I title a page "June 9th Accomplishments" (clearly the date changes each day). I don't write on this list what I want to accomplish, I write what I actually accomplish. AFTER, and only after, I complete a task, no matter how large or small, it goes on the list. That may be sending an email, editing one page of a paper, reading a chapter, updating my blog, walking the dog, whatever it is. Each day, I am then able to reflect on what I did rather than what I wanted to do but fell short on. It is such a relief and I can see how my projects are moving forward.
What did you accomplish today? Make an Accomplishment List and see how it goes! :)
