Sounds backwards, but hear me out.
When you’re stuck in a rut, anxious, or paralyzed by how much you need to do, your brain can spiral into inaction. Instead of forcing a to-do list you’ll ignore, try this:
Start writing down everything you’ve already done today, no matter how small. Brushed your teeth? Write it down. Answered one email? Write it down. Got out of bed? Write it down.
This tricks your brain into recognizing momentum. You go from “I’ve done nothing” to “Okay, I’ve already done something.” It’s like giving yourself credit for showing up, which builds the motivation to keep going.
Once your brain sees progress, it’s way easier to transition into tackling that one thing you were avoiding. It’s especially helpful if you have ADHD, depression, or burnout. Even high-functioning people get stuck sometimes — this can get you unstuck.
Try it. “Done list” first, to-do list second.
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This makes me sad for humanity.
Hey, I’ve been doing this and recommending it for a very long time! Totally works for me but you explained it better
Make a don’t do list, it can take some time to get it done, but once the list is up you can check stuff off really fast