Every day, I wear multiple hats. I’m a business owner, a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter, and so on. With a seemingly endless “to-do” list, I’m constantly looking forward and thinking of the next task. But recently, as I was updating my to-do list, I noticed the items I had crossed off from that day. There were a lot of things I had accomplished, yet I wasn’t paying much attention to those. I started thinking, when was the last time I made a “got it done” list?
The past few weeks, months, and years have been hectic – even crazy at times. So, why not pause for a moment to reflect on and feel good about all the things I’ve accomplished? I put a lot of time and energy into keeping track of what’s next, why not do the same for looking back on all that I’ve done? Whether big or small, it feels good to see that list of wins. But there’s also a lot I can learn and apply to future efforts by reflecting on the boxes I’ve checked.
First off, what has worked well? By revisiting where I’ve been and things I’ve done, there are a lot of success points that I should be carrying into my future efforts. Looking at my personal schedule, I can see periods of effective time management and sanity maintenance. For my professional schedule, I can dig into completed projects to find tactics and strategies that led to positive outcomes. Across the board, by making a “Got It Done” list I feel good about myself and highlight success points in the process.
Next, what didn’t work out so well? Where can I make even minor adjustments to strengthen my productivity, efficiency, and general wellbeing? It’s easy to finish a task or project, put a bow on it, and move on. But each of those experiences can help me improve. So, by reviewing my “Got It Done” list through the lens of growth and development, I will improve my chances for success in the future.
From a big-picture standpoint, what can I build upon moving into next year? How can I carry the positive momentum I gained and further enjoy the fruits of my labor?
We’ve all been working so hard and have overcome unprecedented challenges. Pause for a moment and reflect on the successes. Pat yourself on the back and feel good about the effort you’ve put in, regardless of the outcomes.
So, I highly encourage you to make a “Got It Done” list. Chat with your family, friends, and colleagues to hear about their success stories. There’s a lot we can learn about ourselves and gain from each other by focusing on what we’ve accomplished rather than what we still need to do.
I’d love to hear what you’re most proud of having accomplished so far this year. Leave a comment and share a humble brag. We’re living in crazy and hectic times, so it’s important we make opportunities to celebrate each other and ourselves.
