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Set your goals - make the plans - artfully create your life - live it beautifully. Grab the good chocolate and find your muse.

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Home » tasks

Why Record Your Completed Tasks?

November 16, 2021 7 Comments

Why Record Completed Tasks? Here's what I discovered when I started writing down the things I accomplished - how it helped motivate me and improved my self-care | ChocolateMusings.com

Why record your completed tasks? Isn’t it enough to do a bunch of tasks and feel satisfaction at the time? In this post, I’ll describe how recording my completed ’10-minute tasks’ each day reduced overall overwhelm, led to a feeling of accomplishment, and refreshed my mindset. Which, in turn, resulted in more motivation to keep going day in and day out.

Read this post to find out more about my 10-minute task list. Here’s the original spread vs. the new spread in my current bullet journal. Most of the tasks are the same!

I love this mind map format for task lists – because it makes them feel equally important. I don’t do the same task every time because it’s at the top of the list.

Table of contents

  • Create a 10-Minute Task List
  • Don’t Plan it Out
  • Why Record Completed Tasks
  • Add Every Accomplishment
  • Create a Go-To To-Do List
  • Give Yourself Some Credit
    • Pro Tip:
  • Today for My 10 – My Recorded Finished Tasks
  • It Doesn’t Take Long to Record Your Completed Tasks
  • After-the-Pen Examples of Recorded Completed Tasks
  • Take The Challenge:
  • Moms Need Timeouts Too!
  • Question:

Create a 10-Minute Task List

When I started bullet journaling, I remember a conversation with my husband where I felt dejected by all that I had to do and never felt like I got anything done. I know you’ve been there, too. No matter how hard you try, your to-do list grows faster than you can cross items off of it.

That’s when I came up with the 10-Minute Task List. If I found a snippet of downtime, I’d refer to the list of repeating chores and to-dos and see how much I could get done in those few spare minutes. Seeing how much I could do during those few clusters of minutes felt terrific. But then, the next day, I’d feel that same frustration by having too much to do and not seeing a dent in the tasks. That’s why I started recording my completed tasks.

Have 10 Minutes? 10 Minute Task List in Mind Map form in My Bullet Journal - Go to Collection reference for getting tasks done in a short amount of time | ChocolateMusings.com
Original Spread
Have 10 Minutes? 10 Minute Task List in Mind Map form in My Bullet Journal - Go to Collection reference for getting tasks done in a short amount of time | ChocolateMusings.com
New Spread

Don’t Plan it Out

In his original bullet journal format, I know Ryder Carroll uses a list format to jot all his tasks down. It’s what helped him manage his overwhelm. Similarly, recording your completed tasks creates an irrefutable record that you did get something done, even when you feel like you didn’t.

However, these 10 minutes don’t require you to plan beforehand. You take advantage of a sliver of time and furiously work from a suggested list. Getting done what you can. Then the fact that you record it afterward focuses your attention on what you did, instead of looking at a half-crossed-off to-do list.

Keep in mind I’m not saying that you shouldn’t keep a running to-do list. Instead, I’m saying to keep a tally of everything you did in a separate “Ta-Da” list so you don’t compare the overall task list to what you accomplished.

Why Record Completed Tasks

When the feeling of overwhelm and defeat kept coming back day after day, I realized that I needed to write down what I did. When I’d glance over the list of ‘done items’ later on, I had to acknowledge that I did more than I remembered. And that’s a good feeling.

Blue Box #inmy10minutes - list out all the things you accomplished - you might be amazed at how much you actually got done vs. what you think you got done. That's why it's important to jot it down!Read about the other benefits in this post | ChocolateMusings.com

Give yourself credit where credit is due, and write down what you do during your 10-minute task sprints. This is part of my self-care regimen and the effort to be kinder to myself. We can all afford to be a little kinder to our minds.

When I started writing my finished tasks, I noticed a reduction in my overall overwhelm. It wasn’t that my to-do list was shorter. It was that I was giving myself credit for the effort that I was putting in. It’s been said repeatedly that we are not kind enough to ourselves. Recording your completed tasks so you can briefly bask in the accomplishment creates a gateway for building confidence and self-esteem and living a life where you’re more gentle with yourself.

Why Record Completed Tasks? Here's what I discovered when I started writing down the things I accomplished - how it helped motivate me and improved my self-care | ChocolateMusings.com

Add Every Accomplishment

Give it a try. If you do a 10-minute task sprint and get 2 or 3 things done, start making a list of all the things you did. Add every accomplishment to your ‘look what I did’ list. Then see what effect it has on your mental state. Test it, and see if it reduces your overwhelm and lifts your spirits.

You might find the motivation to keep going. Just like an object in motion tends to stay in motion, a person motivated stays motivated.

10-MInute Task List in Mind Map Format - List of tasks you can do in 10 minutes or less | ChocolateMusings.com

Create a Go-To To-Do List

I created a go-to to-do list with tasks I could do around the house in 10-minutes or less. This 10-minute task list in mind-map form was the catalyst for helping to reduce some of the overwhelm I felt daily because it all felt like ‘too much.’ Your task list will likely be different than mine.

After working on the to-do list, I created a little space in my bullet journal to write down the tasks I did in those 10-minutes. Recording those completed tasks certainly made me feel better, which helped reduce my overwhelm. Writing it down provides proof (to me) that the week isn’t wasted, and it turns into a personal show-and-tell of the things I was able to get done.

Every once in a while, I’ll call out to my husband, “I’m going to do a 10”. And immediately understands that I’m going to clean fast and furious or take a break for a few minutes to try and feel like I was accomplishing something. He loved the idea and noticed a difference in my anxiety levels afterward. I could also tell that my focus level increased following a 10-minute break.

Weekly Bullet Journal Spread with a place to write my 'ta das' (I call them #inmy10minutes) or things that I've done. It works as a confidence boost and adds to my self-care | ChocolateMusings.com

Give Yourself Some Credit

If you struggle with these same thoughts, try recording the things you get done (no matter how small they are). Make a list for the week of the menial (but finished) tasks you did all week long. Give yourself some credit. This process will work wonders for your overall view of yourself, especially if you record your finished tasks consistently for a few weeks.

Pro Tip:

You don’t have to create a 10-minute task list if you don’t want to. You can use your everyday task list instead. I promise you’ll be surprised about how fast you work when you focus and are trying to beat the timer. I love creating a mind-map-style task list, so one section doesn’t seem more important than another section.

Today for My 10 – My Recorded Finished Tasks

Here’s a classic example of when I started doing something, I kept going after the 10 minutes was up (but not much longer) because I felt so motivated. This one was probably two sets of 10 minutes.

First of all, I took a deep breath. Then, I cleaned the bathroom sink and the mirror. After that, I cleaned up and organized all the kid’s toothbrushes and toothpaste, discarding dried-up tubes of toothpaste and old toothbrushes. Next, I picked up tissue scraps from the floor, scrubbed the toothpaste off the counter, and cleaned the toilet.

Onto the floor next, which I scrubbed. Following the floor, I checked and arranged their shampoo and soap bottles in the bathtub. Six minutes down.

Recorded task list - a fun way to doodle your day & record the things you accomplished | ChocolateMusings.com

I could stop there, but I decided I had a few more minutes and gladly made my way to the kitchen, where I quickly emptied the dishwasher and filled it with spare dishes in the sink. I cleaned out the baby’s high chair – we had rice, and it was a mess! But it looks great now. Lastly, I swept and scrubbed the floor.

Whew! Don’t you just love that feeling of getting all those nagging tasks done?

It Doesn’t Take Long to Record Your Completed Tasks

Once I finished the myriad of tasks, I took one more minute to jot them all down. It’s amazing to look back each week and feel a sense of accomplishment when otherwise I might have criticized myself for not using my time wisely. Recording these finished tasks changes my perspective and reduces my daily overwhelm and anxiety. You don’t have to create this sheet of doodles. Making a list is good enough.

These 10-minute tasks have really changed my life. I only wish I had thought of it sooner. I’d love to know what you do in your 10 minutes. Use #InMy10Minutes and tag me @ChocolateMusingsCreates on Instagram.

After-the-Pen Examples of Recorded Completed Tasks

Here are some real-life examples of my recorded tasks using #inmy10minutes. One week, I cuddled with my little one for 10 minutes. Another week, the whole family was sick, but I made an effort. In other weeks, I recorded a long list of completed tasks. Consistently recording my 10-minute efforts is what makes the difference, and I give myself credit for the efforts I put in.

#inmy10minutes accomplishment box - where I take 10 minutes, do as many tasks as I can then I write them all down so I can give myself a little credit | ChocolateMusings.com
Even when the week is rough like this one - I love seeing whatever effort I made. Recording completed tasks gives a sense of pride and motivation to keep moving forward | ChocolateMusings.com
Purple #inmy10minutes recorded completed tasks. Seeing this list of things I did, gives me a boost to keep going - give credit where credit is due and recognize all your efforts | ChocolateMusings.com
Blue Box #inmy10minutes - list out all the things you accomplished - you might be amazed at how much you actually got done vs. what you think you got done. That's why it's important to jot it down!Read about the other benefits in this post | ChocolateMusings.com

Take The Challenge:

Here’s your challenge – just try it out for a week and see if you have a cleaner house and an improved mental state.

  • Take 10 Minutes
  • See How Much you Can Get Done
  • Record What Your Completed Tasks (this is the important part)
  • Be Proud of Yourself
  • Repeat

The key is to write it down and give yourself credit. It’s not important what you got done in those 10 minutes. What is important, however, is letting yourself see your successes and recognizing your efforts. Try it for a week.

Instead of taking 10-minute bursts, take the challenge at work or at home. After each hour, use one minute to list all the things you got done. Keep a running tally of your ‘Ta Das’ or completed tasks. Review it at the end of the day and end of the week. Give yourself a pat on the back because you deserve it.

#InMy10Minutes Challenge - take 10 minutes to do as much as you can, then record the tasks you finished. Repeat each day. The effect is more than just a cleaner house. It changes your mental view point as well. Try it out. | ChocolateMusings.com

Moms Need Timeouts Too!

Sometimes, instead of cleaning, I take 10 minutes and put myself in ‘time out.’ Moms need timeouts too. And some days, instead of doing tasks, I take 10 minutes to restore my mental health by reading a book that I wouldn’t read otherwise. It is a book I want to read, and I do it for fun. Sometimes I take 10 minutes to cuddle with a kid who needs attention. It’s hard to slow down when there are so many things happening. But if they need it, use your 10 minutes and give them all that attention. Remember to record it – those are important moments. They’re not a task, but they need to be written.

No matter what I do during these snippets of time, I make sure to record these completed items because writing down these finished ‘tasks’ reduces my overwhelm and gives me confidence. Then I look back over the week and realize how many things I got done. If you try this challenge, I think you’ll find that you get more done than you realize. Give yourself a little credit. This is why I record my completed tasks because it helps me do more and feel better about myself.

Question:

What do you do with your 10 minutes? Let me know!

Remember to plan your life so that you live beautifully, and don’t be afraid to try something new and find your inner muse. ~Tricia

7 Comments
Filed Under: #InMy10Minutes, Artsy Planner Spreads, Blog, Bullet Journal, Get Organized & Start Planning, Planner Spreads Tagged: #InMy10Minutes, 10 minute tasks, 10 minutes, changing my life, how do I get everything done?, in my 10 minutes, motivation, motivational, quick cleaning, tasks, to do

About Me


Hi! I'm Tricia, the creative behind ChocolateMusings.com, I know how it feels to lose your inner muse. After years of darkness (which I call the dark ages of my life), I found my inner muse hiding in the forgotten corners of my soul, I vowed never to lose sight of her again.

Bullet journaling helped reignite the passion for art and living life again while organizing my days. I also discovered modern calligraphy and watercolor. Since then, my use of the bullet journal system has evlolved and I call it 'creative planning'. Here on the blog, I show you how to use your planner to ignite your inner muse and explore creativity and art while staying beautifully organized and living a joyful life.

I invite you to grab some good chocolate and dive into my musings. Let’s ignite your inner muse.

Read more on the about me page. You can also find my policies and disclosures here.

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