Do this fun thing now and stay motivated tomorrow

Ever have one of those weeks where you feel like you got nothing done? But you know you’ve been busy.

In and out of meetings, appointment after appointment, checking off the lists, making the calls, writing the emails, copying the papers, grabbing the files, investing the time, asking the questions, responding to the messages and so on.

It’s hard enough when Friday afternoon rolls around and you’re totally spent but even worse when you end the week uninspired to tackle the next.

No one likes to feel like they’re putting in the time but not seeing the results.

I work with many clients who tell me how busy they are but don’t feel like they got much accomplished. But I know they’re smart and driven, and although there may not be using all their time efficiently, they’re certainly getting things done.

So I’ve found that a really simple habit helps you do just that. See your results.

It’s a Success Journal. And don’t let the name intimidate you. It doesn’t have to be in the form of a journal at all. It’s simply a place to reflect on your week and record your achievements.

If you love paper and notebooks, then journaling might be right up your alley. But if writing gives you the heebie jeebies, think Word document, a bulleted list on a Google doc, or a Notes app on your phone.

When you’re on the go all week it’s easy to forget what you got done. In fact, it’s rare that you ever reflect on how much you’ve actually achieved.

On the other hand, it’s amazing how good a little pat on the back can feel, especially as you kick off your weekend.

At the end of the day, everyone wants to feel good about they’re doing, right?

You want to know that you’re contributing in a meaningful way. That your day of busyness has progressed towards something more than driving from meeting to meeting or checking email.

Which is where writing (or typing) your accomplishments plays an important role.

You can do this daily but that’s too often for me, so I prefer Friday afternoons so I can glance over my week and capture my big wins.

By the way, this is yet another reason it’s important to have your schedule blocked every day.

It’s much easier to look at your schedule and see:

• I wrote my article on Tuesday
• I submitted a proposal on Wednesday
• I ran that webinar on Thursday
• I even got my butt to the gym three days this week

“Well, lookie how accomplished I am!”

It’s one thing to think it and entirely another to get it in print.

The very act of writing your accomplishments provides an added layer of awareness and reinforces your inner (and outer) awesomeness.

Another reason this self-praise technique is so rewarding is that it gets you pumped, or at least mildly inspired, for your next week. It confirms that you really did get something done this week and all your hard work was not for nothing.

Celebrating your wins not only feels great, but it reinforces the behavior you want to show up when you face a new challenge or opportunity.

On the flip side, if you get in the habit of not celebrating your accomplishments, you’re training your brain that what you are doing isn’t that exciting and important.

As you celebrate your wins, you feel and act like a winner.

It really is the perfect way to end your week.

Remember, this can be as fun and personal as you want (think handmade leather bound engraved journal) to a simple click of a button (think five bullet points on a Word doc).

Use whatever tool that actually makes you do this technique vs. procrastinating it.

If you’re into feeling good about yourself and motivated to achieve more, try this sounds-too-good-to-be-true, little pick me up this week.

Let me know if you’re gonna do it. You know an important part of starting a new habit is to say it out loud (or in this case, write it down). I’ll be waiting for you in the comments.

Here’s to getting more of the right things done!

XO,

Mridu