I love that idea. A “done” list. I achieve it by checking items off my to-do list. I feel quite good about those little check marks. My current calendar program automatically deletes done items and I had to go into the preferences to change that. It made me feel worse not to see them!

Years ago my sister suggested I write a “Done List” instead of the more common “To Do List”. I found this subtly and powerfully helpful in keeping myself positive. If I ever have a desk/space/room/whatever that I can work at regularly I’m going to do the calendar idea with my done list.

Thanks Again

You’re welcome, Anghel. I’m glad you found some of the suggestions helpful.

I’m at a time in my young life where staying positive seems like the hardest thing to do. I just happened to search “staying positive” on google and your blog was among the first to appear. I was pretty hooked reading through this whole article, especially because there are several points you made that I definitely could, should, and need to use. I really liked reading about the calendar, because the week does go by pretty fast for me too, and being so busy, I forget about a lot of the goals I set and the good things that happen along the way.

You write very well, and I enjoyed reading through the whole article. Thanks for the inspiration!

I’m glad this is working for everyone. Staying positive sounds like such a minor thing and it’s so important, as is setting the proper goals. Cindie, I’ll e-mail you privately. I think you might have a writing issue (since I have a hunch I know what project you’re on) instead of a freelancing issue. Mark, I’m like your friend. I think I’ll never work again, and I always do. Yet I keep trying even when I think I’m going to fail. That’s the essence of freelancing, I think. I thought of mentioning the supportive spouse, Wim, since I have one, but not everyone does. Better to work on the things that we can do individually.

I had never thought of taking a more organic, sensible, bottom-up approach like you’ve described. It seemed so obvious, once you said it…!