Are you a list maker? I am. My “To-Do” list is constantly going through revision after revision and never seems to end. When things remain on the list for too long, feelings of inadequacy and disappointment start to seep in, and that is not how I want to end my day or week.

So in an effort to turn my days and evenings into something more positive, I am creating a “Have Done” list. I chose “done” instead of “finished” or “completed” because that would put too much pressure on me. I can feel satisfied and accomplished by validating the things I managed to “get done” in a day.

Here’s what was on my “Have Done” list for the past couple of days. No judgment, please!

Saturday

• balanced my checkbook
• three loads of laundry
• vacuumed
• Watched my grandsons – had dinner together and played a variety of games

Sunday

• finished my lesson plans
• returned a couple of emails
• deleted over 2000 emails from my inbox (You won’t believe how many are still in there!)
• ordered my granddaughter’s birthday present
• packed my lunch for Monday
• folded laundry

Monday

• turned in my lesson plans
• finished grading Opinion Writing introductory paragraphs
• put away NJHS supplies

As you can see, some days were more productive than others, but that’s okay. Instead of having a negative feeling of not getting everything on my “To-Do” list crossed off, I can put my head on my pillow knowing that I couldn’t do everything, but I did do something, and that’s enough.