While everybody is busy doing to-do lists, you might find yourself feeling tired at the very thought of just starting such a list. Actually, this is quite understandable, as to-do list require effort and determination to be fulfilled. Done lists, on the other hand, can prove really useful, as they lead in an increase in self-confidence as well as a decrease in depression related emotions: while you do things, just add them to your list. As easy and as efficient as can get.

Lists

We all know for a fact that to-do lists are great: they enable you to be more organized while keeping track of your progress in the different fields. However, what is even greater is the combination of to-do tasks with the already accomplished ones. Creating done lists leads to an increase in self-confidence as well as making oneself feel satisfied with the current accomplishments.

Functioning with lists 

<figure><picture class="lead-asset__media responsive-image"><source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://media.self.com/photos/5e98b0662d882200082f706a/4:3/w_1024%2Cc_limit/notepad_pen.jpeg 1024w" sizes="100vw"><source media="(min-width: 768px)" srcset="https://media.self.com/photos/5e98b0662d882200082f706a/4:3/w_2560%2Cc_limit/notepad_pen.jpeg 2560w" sizes="100vw"><img alt="Most Productivity Tips Are Hard Right Now but This One Might Help" src="https://media.self.com/photos/5e98b0662d882200082f706a/4:3/w_2560%2Cc_limit/notepad_pen.jpeg" width="741" height="556"></picture><figcaption dir="auto">Lauren Naefe/Adobe Stock</figcaption></figure>These past few weeks I’ve found myself drawing on the tools, exercises, and productivity tips I’ve learned in <a href="https://www.self.com/topic/therapy" dir="ltr">therapy</a> (and as a mental health reporter) more than I ever have in my life. It’s not like I didn’t need the help before the <a href="https://www.self.com/health-conditions/covid-19-coronavirus" dir="ltr">new coronavirus</a> upended my life, but something—or rather everything—about this pandemic is making me bring these tools to the forefront. Sure, the unprecedented nature of the pandemic means some coping mechanisms aren’t as effective or require creativity and recalibration, but more often than not, I’m finding them suddenly more relevant than ever before.In that spirit, I’m getting in the habit of brushing off some oldie-but-goodie mental health tips through the lens of the pandemic. (I started this last week with the handy therapy trick to ignore what I “should” do, which you can read about <a href="https://www.self.com/story/should-therapy-trick" dir="ltr">here</a>.) These tips and exercises may or may not be old hat to you, but if it’s been a while since you utilized them, they might provide some extra comfort, support, and bandwidth that you desperately need right now.For now, I want to talk about “done” lists.If you’re anything like me, you know to-do lists can be incredibly helpful when it comes to getting shit done. I don’t know about you, but these days, to-do lists have the opposite effect on me. Instead of inspiring me to be productive, they mock me. After all, when my list of things to do is super high but my bandwidth and energy are super low, the disparity between them can be demoralizing and incapacitating. Like, you want me to do what right now???Before we go any further, I want to say that feeling pressured to be productive in the middle of a pandemic is bullshit. But as much as I’d like to say, “Screw productivity tips—throw productivity out the window,” I know that, realistically, some people can’t. For one, some of us are (luckily) still employed and must continue to try our best to be at least marginally productive for the sake of our livelihoods.On top of that, though, some of us are wired to chase productivity. Even in the middle of the pandemic, I can’t help but want to stay on top of my to-do list and produce, create, and stay busy. Unfortunately, that’s not easy in practice, what with my <a href="https://www.self.com/health-conditions/mental-health" dir="ltr">mental health</a> in the toilet thanks to, well, every aspect of the pandemic. But the voice telling me to do things doesn’t care about reality. She just wants to keep going as normal.In the absence of silencing that voice entirely, done lists are one small tool in my self-care arsenal getting a lot of use right now. They might help you too.The premise is pretty simple: Instead of creating a huge, intimidating list of things to do, add tasks to a list as you accomplish them. That way, instead of slowly chipping away at a mountain of tasks—or not getting to any of them and feeling awful—you can acknowledge small accomplishments as they happen. At the end of the day, you have tangible proof that, to the best of your ability, you were some sort of <a href="https://www.self.com/story/remote-work-productivity-tips" dir="ltr">productive</a>. As days continue to bleed together in isolation, that kind of record of how I’m spending my time and energy not only helps me feel slightly less depressed and useless, but it also anchors me to reality.An important rule: You should include everything on your done list, even tasks like taking your meds, brushing your teeth, or eating meals. In a time when I feel like I’m <a href="https://www.self.com/story/coronavirus-stress" dir="ltr">functioning at 20%</a> at best, my done lists are reminders that I’m doing the best I can. They also help me narrow my scope to the realistic instead of the aspirational, reminding me of what’s doable and possible under these difficult circumstances.<div>Advertisement</div>You can obviously customize the process in a way that works for you. Productivity tips are rarely one-size-fits-all. For example, there’s no denying that a big reason behind keeping a to-do list is to stay on top of tasks you need to get to eventually. If you’re worried about forgetting something while using done lists, I definitely recommend keeping a separate, master to-do list you can add to as things come up and review it only when you need to. If you feel guilty seeing tasks pile up, remind yourself you’re taking it day by day. Don’t pressure yourself to keep everything on your mental plate at all times. Put them on the master to-do list, and add them to your done list when you can. Be <a href="https://www.self.com/story/anti-to-do-list" dir="ltr">kind to yourself</a> in the meantime.In that way, done lists are about celebrating what you can do right now instead of punishing yourself for what you can’t. And I don’t know about you, but if I still need to do things in the middle of a pandemic, I could use all the self-compassion I can get.Related:

If you need to get stuff done on top of dealing with pandemic stress, this small productivity tip might help.

If To-Do Lists Are Stressing You Out, Try ‘Done’ Lists Instead

Lists

Functioning with lists

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