Say goodbye to your to-do list and hello to the ‘did’ list

We’ve all made to-do lists, but have you heard of the did list? Unlike the former, which can be a source of stress, the did list boosts well-being and productivity.

Although making to-do lists at work is beneficial for prioritizing tasks and encouraging organization, these lists can be anxiety-provoking and counter-productive when badly designed. When new tasks are added to them, they can feel never-ending and unachievable. They can also be mentally exhausting and make you feel like you’re not productive, organized, efficient, or competent enough. Fortunately, the to-do list’s cousin, the did list, can help you adjust your focus while boosting your morale. “Writing a did list allows you to measure the progress you’re making toward achieving your goals, and creates a sense of satisfaction,” says Aurélia De Luca, an organization and time management coach. “Listing what we’ve accomplished during the day makes us aware of all the tasks we’ve completed, no matter how small, and it eliminates feelings of guilt or frustration we feel when we believe we haven’t made enough progress.”

You might even be surprised when you take a closer look at what you accomplish in a day. “Some people are amazed at how much they get done,” says De Luca. “They realize they’re more productive than they thought.” This has been the case for Natacha, a self-employed graphic designer. “I’m used to making to-do lists, but for a while now I’ve also been writing daily did lists. This made me realize that I was being harsh and unfair to myself. I put myself under pressure to be more efficient and make better use of my time, but after reading my did lists, I concluded that I’m a hard worker!”

What are the benefits of a did list?

Improved well-being

By focusing on what’s already done, rather than on what still needs to be done, the did list brings relief and personal satisfaction. “It’s a way of reprogramming the brain and directing our attention to positive things,” explains De Luca. It feels good, and according to Francis Boyer, coach, speaker, and author, happiness at work is “the combination of motivation, (what makes me want to go to work) satisfaction, (the well-being I feel after completing a task) and pleasure (what makes me have fun during the day).” So why deprive ourselves?

Boosted confidence and productivity

“Seeing in concrete terms that you are useful and productive each day boosts your self-esteem and self-confidence,” says De Luca, “because the feeling of completion and accomplishment is rewarding. We start to realize that we’re capable of getting things done and achieving our goals.” It helps us become aware of our value and potential, which naturally boosts productivity, and positive self-esteem at work has been shown to influence performance, satisfaction, commitment, and motivation. This, in turn, significantly impacts our work performance, according to studies by Campbell (1990) and Pierce and Gardner (2004). A recent Spanish study published in The National Library of Medicine also found a positive correlation between self-esteem and productivity at work. Happy workers are more efficient and find it easier to meet high expectations. As economist Paul Krugman puts it, “Productivity isn’t everything, but in the long run, it’s almost everything.”

​​Greater clarity and self-awareness

Creating did lists helps us see things clearly, know where we stand, and be better organized the next day. “We tend to doubt ourselves and dwell on what still needs to be done,” says De Luca. “You may feel scattered, but this practice helps you channel yourself, prioritize tasks, and organize your work better. You can also measure your progress.” It gives you a better perception of the evolution of your work and also yourself. “It’s normal to be unmotivated at times or overcome by unforeseen circumstances,” De Luca says, “but when there are too many interruptions or unexpected events, it’s helpful to understand the cause.” It could be that you’re distracted by your phone, spending too much time on social media, you’re disorganized, or you tend to procrastinate. Taking stock of what’s been achieved gives you a chance to step back and get to know yourself better so you can make adjustments.

How to make a did list?

“I recommend doing it every day as an end-of-day ritual that takes 15 to 20 minutes.” Similar to a mindfulness exercise, De Luca suggests listing the tasks you accomplished during the day by asking questions but also listening to yourself. “What did I accomplish today? What are three things I’m most proud of? What did I do today that had a positive impact? Or conversely, what didn’t work and what can I do to make it better?” Writing did lists also highlights the inefficiency of certain processes and encourages us to change. It can help identify bad habits and personal obstacles that hold us back at work such as persistent fatigue, inattention, disinterest, lack of motivation, or difficulty in saying no to coworkers.

Stop beating yourself up

While did list enthusiasts tend to discover they achieve more than they had imagined, there are days when this isn’t the case. “And that’s okay,” De Luca insists. “We’re not looking for perfection, but for progress. The quest for perfection leads to procrastination, so the important thing is to keep moving forward, even if it means taking small steps.” Don’t be too hard on yourself, especially when quality has to take precedence over quantity. “For example, you might only complete two tasks in a day, but they may be the biggest and/or the most important. You did less than planned, but have completed priority tasks.” Quantifying what you’ve accomplished isn’t always realistic or fair. “It’s important not to beat yourself up about it, but to accept that at certain times we’re less productive or motivated and that will likely change over the next few days. It’s the same when we complete fewer tasks than the day before. We go through cycles, meaning we won’t be at our best every day.”

While to-do lists have advantages, adopting did lists mitigates the possible negative effects of to-do lists and enhances a feeling of well-being at work. Did lists promote positive self-image, boost productivity, and construct a daily sense of self-satisfaction. “Honestly, I couldn’t do my work without them,” admits Natacha. “I feel more confident and productive. The feedback I get from my customers and the quality of my work reflect that.” No matter which type of list you use, always remember to be kind to yourself.

Translated by Lorraine Posthuma

Photo: Welcome to the Jungle

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