I was brushing my teeth after a day. You know the one. Nothing goes as planned. You look around at the end and see dishes piled in the sink and you feel like you accomplished nothing.
I started thinking about all the things I hadn’t done. The list seemed like an endless scroll, but then something changed.
I felt tired of feeling like a hamster going nowhere. So I thought to myself, ‘Well, I did take a shower today.”
I know it seems simple, but it helped. So, I kept going.
I started a new list.
I decided, right there over my bathroom sink, to mentally list the things I’d done.
I picked up my sick boy from school and took care of him.
I made him soup.
I wrote.
I did some laundry.
I wiped the counter and the table so many times.
Put dishes away
Texted my husband to cheer him up
Kissed my husband.
This list was looking good. Suddenly, I was feeling better. Sure, there was Facebook scrolling and time spent on less important things. But time is not wasted. Time just is. Some of it is used well, and some is just used.
When I thought about my list, I realized it was amazing. Not because of any specific thing on there or how long the list was. It was amazing because it changed the way I viewed my whole day.
What can you put on your list today?
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I love this. It really is possible to make a better list. A ‘done’ list. I may not have cooked a special or balanced dinner, but I kept 2 kids away from danger, fed and cleaned, etc. Wrote, did laundry, dishes and scheduled appointments! It really does change your perspective!
#kingdombloggers
Look at all you’ve accomplished! I love it!!!
It’s so rare that I actually accomplish what I set out to do at the start of each day. I had to learn to let go of my own plans due to health issues. At first, it was so discouraging to feel like I was completely unproductive. But now, I’m able to see I’m still very productive, but in different ways than I had intended. I have this mental “done” list, like you’ve described here, that I go through at the end of each day. (Now that I think of it, it might be really encouraging to actually write it down sometimes.) I’m reminded of Proverbs 19:21 – “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
Amen! God’s purpose is what matters. Not my list or my ideas. So grateful we can encourage one another!
This is a good idea! It’s too easy to focus on what we haven’t done and to forget what we have done. Often the little interruptions that disrupt our plans are actually how we need to use the time.
And when we notice these things, we can see more of God at work!
Rebecca, I love this emphasis on giving grace to ourselves. Sadly, we too often are our own harshest taskmasters.
If we can’t love ourselves well, it sure is hard to love others with authenticity.
Bless you …
You are exactly right! We need to love ourselves to know how to love others well!
Frame of mind is everything. Whatever puts us in the right place. laurensparks.net
YES! I agree it can make such a difference!
Rebecca, I am discovering that often at the end of the day, what I actually did get done was more important than what was on my list and left undone. You encouraged me this morning!
Yes! Isn’t that amazing?!
I am blessed to have a husband who has always reminded me of all the things I HAVE done on those days when I feel as if I have nothing to show for a good solid 12 hours of labor.
So… it’s early, but already I’ve made killer hashbrowns to go with the guys’ eggs, sent an encouraging text to a friend, and taken the dog outside. (He was grateful…)
First, your hubby is awesome!
Second, you are awesome!
Finally, I’ll take some of those killer hashbrowns!
Yes, sometimes those “little” things we don’t put on the list are the most important things of our day. I’m thankful God doesn’t keep a list of what I do or don’t get done in a day (I’ve got that covered myself, ha). I’ll try to pare down my own to-do list today. 🙂
Amen to that!
I like this idea. I often go back and add to my to-do list some of the things I got done. I want that sense of accomplishment. And, yes, I need to change the w as y I view my days as well. I think I’ll try your idea 😊! Thanks for sharing!
So glad you liked it. I hope it reminds you of how amazing you are!
As a constant list person, this was such a sweet post to read. I definitely need to remember this!
I hope you try it. I loved it!
I LOVE this concept! Some days, I’ll make a list of all I did because I forgot to make a list (I know, weird). But to do it intentionally and daily, now that’s a genius idea!
LOL. I love it!
This is great. Love that quote about time – Some of it is used well, some is just used
Thanks Natasha!
I always find inspiration when I stop by your wonderful blog. Thanks so much for being part of the #LMMLinkup community this week. I selected your post as my favorite.
Awww! Thanks friend! So happy to share at your place!
This is such a good perspective. I’m ashamed to say this, but i have a hard time when I don’t get the things done I had planned to because someone interrupted to talk about nothing very important. I have to remind myself that people are more important than tasks. And maybe the conversation wasn’t earth-shattering then, but showing kindness and attentiveness may make that person feel safe sharing when a major issue does come up.
I’m the same way. I’m learning to put people first. It makes such a difference!
Discovered your blog through Sylvia’s A Gathering of Friends link-up. So glad to meet you. Both of the posts you linked have spoken to me. I am list-maker from WAAAAAY back. But I put little things on my list like ‘make the bed,’ ‘feed the kitties,’ and ‘make dinner’ because those things count, too!! They may not change the world but they make our little corner better. Of course, my list also has ‘pay the AC repair bill’ and ‘go to the dentist,’ and ‘iron’ on it, too. Which may or may not happen!!
So nice to meet you too!
Yes, every little thing matters!
I can so relate to this, Rebecca! I’ve done this in the past, but not for a while. Maybe I need to get back to it.
It’s always a good reminder 🙂
A list of productivity! I love days that feel productive – but even the ones that don’t “feel” that productive often are…if I would just take the time to make a better list!:) Great advice!!
Productive feels good, for sure. Sometimes our view of productive is a bit different than God’s. I’m learning to pay more attention to His.
Love this Rebecca! Our ‘To Do’ lists become our ‘Have Done’ lists which is super positive & encouraging with a sense of accomplishment! 😀
Blessings,
Jennifer
Yes it does! I love that feeling!
Sometimes a simple perspective change makes all the difference. Thank you for this reminder.
It sure does!
I get this, Rebecca! I will sometimes write things on my to-do list that I just did, just so I can mark them out! You’re right … life is made up of all those things that we do to keep everything running smoothly, just as it is made up of all the big tasks that take more time and effort. 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only one! Sometimes I just need to know I did something!
Love this! It’s so easy to get caught up in the feelings of inadequacy and not doing enough, but it’s amazing how sometimes the small things we think don’t really count for a whole lot actually are really what matters most. That list turns into something huge.
It sure does!
I loved this! Sometimes I get so hung up on making every second count and then down on myself when I don’t. Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Link-Up. Maree
Thanks friend! Always glad to share encouragement!
This post spoke to my heart. We are so hard on ourselves. Somehow we have accepted the mindset that our value is determined by our performance. Whether we get it “all” done, or not, we are enough. I love this “making a new list” concept. I am a list maker, and I used to make these daily and weekly lists and mark through the items I got done. My pages look awful with my scribbled lines marking through my “done” tasks. From now on, instead of marking through my “done” items, I am going to make that new list out beside the old list. My planner is going to take on a new look. I am encouraged to give myself permission to feel good about my contributions to my world. Thank you for inspiring me. Oh, and Thanks for stopping by and linking up with us at the #GatheringofFriendsLinkParty 7. sharing
Yay! I love hearing this! Amazing!
I can’t wait to hear how it goes! What a great idea!
I practiced this once — my to-do lists were (and still are) so long that at one point it was so overwhelming and I felt like I never accomplished anything so I switched gears for awhile and started setting my to-do lists aside and started making my “what I got done” lists. This was an amazing reset for me and helped me feel more positive about my progress.
Isn’t it amazing what a difference it makes?!
Lovely post, Congratulations! This post was featured on this weeks A GATHERING OF FRIENDS LINK PARTY 8
Thank you so much for the feature 🙂