What is a Done List?
A done list is a list that you write after you have achieved something/acomplished a task. It creates a totally different feel than writing a list of tasks to do in the beginning.
Tracking Balance
We often have blindspots and forget important life areas. Map out you life areas and then note down your accomplishments in each area over a week. You can then see at a glance life areas that you have neglected. Take a look near the end of the week. You will then still have time to do a few items to help maintain or improve that life area. Even small accomplishments build momentum
Build Momentum
A done list highlights small wins throughout the day, releasing dopamine (the brain's "feel-good" chemical) and creating a positive feedback loop. This builds momentum and makes you more likely to keep going.
The Sense of Acomplishment
Focusing of your accomplishments, successes and achievements can help you feel like a winner. Feeling like a winner helps you act like a winner.
Unplanned Wins
The beauty of a Done List is that it does not have to contained planned tasks. You can add extra tasks and acomplisments that you have done./p>
The Downside of To Do Lists
Although to-do lists are excellent for planning, prioritization, and staying organized, they have a downside. They can feel endless, overwhelming, or demotivating, especially if you rarely cross everything off or constantly add more items. A done list complements (or sometimes replaces) them by shifting focus to progress and achievements. It can create a whole new mindset ie focusing on your successes.
The Weekly Acomplishments in Thoughtogram
I love the idea of a done list and so built a web app related to it. It allows the user to define the life areas that they want to track. My system is based on a weekly cycle. It think a day would be too short to allow for things cropping up and for bigger tasks. A month seems to long for a done list. A week seemed best.
Each area starts empty and red coloured. Every achievement put into an area makes the area greener. Only 3 are needed in an area to make it go green. Any extra tasks show a little fireworks animation. 3 is the magic number. The idea is that if you do at least even 3 small items in a life area it can help build momentum. Then, near the end of the week, you can see any areas which are still red. There is still time to help balance you life by doing a few things in the neglected areas.