I like lists. A lot. If you know me, that is no secret. When I'm bored in class I scribble lists of things I need to do, I have multiple reminder lists on my phone, and sometimes I even cross-reference my lists. Also, half my articles I write for the Odyssey are lists. Lists are greats. I love lists.

The problem I have with lists, is I can list 50 things that I need to do, but if I can't get them all done in a day, I feel defeated. I know its unreasonable, but there's nothing like the joy of crossing off lists. My friend even taught me there's a german word for this, Entlistungsfreude: “the satisfaction achieved by crossing things off lists.” The only thing more satisfying to me than making the list, is seeing a list completely crossed out. I don't know the last time I've finished a to-do list, and that's upsetting.

So I realized I needed something more than a "To-Do" list, I needed an "I've-Done" list. An I've-Done list is a list of every little thing you've gotten done. Maybe things that never even made it onto your to-do list. You can break down big tests into little things so you recognize everything you've accomplished.

I've-Done lists are helpful for two reasons:

1) They allow you to recognize just how much you've accomplished, even if it feels like it hasn't been a lot.

2) They bring you back to reality when you're quick to celebrate accomplishing very little.

Have you ever unloaded the dishwasher and decided YUP TIME FOR A BREAK? Are you like me and quick to reward yourself with hours of Netflix for any small task you've gotten done, like making your bed? I've-Done lists help you balance recognition with reality. Focus on your accomplishments, instead of looking at To-Do lists that have gone incomplete for days.

I dare you to try it out. Flip over that To-Do list and make yourself an I've-Done list.