Progress Multiplier

Making progress in endeavors that make a difference is fraught. You must navigate your fears, biases, and self-sabotaging tendencies. You’re fighting against the compliance and competition you were groomed for by systematized schooling and institutionalized occupation. Then there’s social media's distraction and comparison culture and the divisive doom loops distributed by traditional media.

Oh, and don’t even get me started on the importance of recognizing the difference between progress and productivity.¹

Moving things from your to-do list to your got-done list can be challenging, even when you move unnecessary items to your stop-doing list.²

To help maintain my focus, boldness, and discipline and make progress in the difference I want to make, I walk through this checklist³ at the end of every day.

1. I needed to get done, and I got it done.

2. I need to get it done, but I’m not sure how.

3. I’m not sure if I should do it (or do it now).

Let’s unpack each item on this list.

I needed to get it done, and I got it done.

What are the necessary things that must be completed for you to achieve your goal? Identify the essential tasks that propel you toward your goal. Progress is about accomplishing the right things at the right time and in the right order. What did you check off today? List them.

I need to get it done, but I’m not sure how.

Pinpoint the tasks that are necessary but beyond your current knowledge or skill set. Do you delegate these or invest time, attention, money, and effort in learning how to move them to your accomplished list?

I’m not sure if I should do it (or do it now).

Assess the tasks you're uncertain about. Are they truly necessary? Do they need immediate attention? Must you be the one to handle them right now? Answering these questions⁴ enables you to shift these items to the lists above or even to your stop-doing list.

Onward

Breaking down your progress into manageable steps is critical. Listing your achievements, acknowledging areas where you need assistance, and evaluating the urgency of tasks bring clarity to your journey. Remember, progress is often incremental, achieved through a well-defined strategy and a daily discipline of doing the work. Going through these three items daily will help you stay on track.

Scott Perry, Chief Difference-Maker at Creative on Purpose

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