How much time do you spend creating and working through your to-do list everyday? I am guessing most of us have one and depending on the day, check items off that did get done. We usually don’t celebrate that checkmark, either hand-written or digital. Or even acknowledge it is gone because we are so focused on the next task. (There is always another task. And another.)
I recently read a post about creating and maintaining a Ta-Da list where we recognize our accomplishments. While creating another list seems counterintuitive to productivity, I fully embrace creating this list. How often do we pause in our day to admit we did something RIGHT? I posted recently about employees who struggle with accepting praise from their managers. I think even more of us struggle at self-acknowledging our own successes. Am I right? When was the last time you stopped your day to give yourself some kudos?
Three real reasons for a Ta-Da List
- We are our own worst critics. The Ta-Da list helps us focus on the positive things we do, our accomplishments.
- It’s great to look at on a bad day. Jazz it up and hand write the list with magic markers. Use emoji’s. Or use New Times Roman. Be creative or not. Just capture your best you.
- Great resource for a resume if you ever need it. I cannot tell you how many resume clients I have talked to this year who can’t remember their achievements and accomplishments in the past year. There is a good chance that if you do not write your Ta-Da down close to when it happens you will forget it. But you will probably remember the things that did not go right. (Darn negative recall focus.)
So here are a couple of my 2019 Ta-Da’s to get your mind thinking:
- Graduated from a community leadership program in June.
- Collaborated with two colleagues to successfully deliver an employer program focused on hiring from a talent pool that is often overlooked – those with a criminal background.
- Started writing again.
Close out 2019 creating your own Ta-Da list. This time next year you will be glad you did.
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