Ignoring "To Do" to Focus on "Done"

There has been a recent effort for some companies (usually small ones) and individuals to place focus on what is accomplished on a daily basis instead of what needs to be accomplished.

This may seem to be short sighted, or at the very least, not being focused on the bigger or long term picture.

The best-selling book “The Progress Principle” by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer disagree with this initial instinct.

They believe that recognizing growth and achievement is better at driving momentum towards a goal than to focus on what has not been accomplished.

The argument is that people will always have a full slate of items that they need to accomplish and that there is no longer the satisfaction clearing everything off your plate.

A to-do list they argue does very little to motivate, and actually is more likely to have a demotivation effect.

Everyone wants to feel that they are moving the needle forward at the end of the day, so a daily routine of post work day assessment is key for keeping people charged up and ready to return into battle the following day.

In the book, they suggest to review on a daily basis the following items.

1.

What did I get done today?

2.

What progress did I make?

3.

What stood out today and how did it make me feel?

4.

What did I do today that I want to remember tomorrow?

5.

How can I turn negatives into progress tomorrow?

6.

What good have I done today?

The last question is an interesting one to me as I am continually told by candidates that they feel emotionally detached from their jobs and sometimes feel that they are not even making the work a better place despite spending so many hours at their job.

Perhaps this question in particular is one that all of us should ask ourselves on a daily basis so that we can also feel better about where we spend our time when we are not with our families and friends.

Food for thought.

Farewell,

Mike