What is a done list?
Short answer
A done list is a running record of what you actually finished, as opposed to a to-do list of what is left. People use it to see progress, notice how long things really take, and end the day with something other than unfinished tasks. It is a popular method with little direct research, so treat it as a personal experiment.
At the end of a busy day, a to-do list can make it look as if you did nothing, because the list is still long. Meanwhile you answered fifteen messages, fixed a problem, made two calls, and picked up groceries. A done list captures that invisible work.
How it works
- Keep a note, notebook page, or simple file titled with the date.
- Each time you finish something, add one short line: "sent invoice", "called pharmacy", "cleared kitchen".
- Include unplanned work, interruptions you handled, and small wins.
- At the end of the day or week, read it back.
That is the whole method. The value comes from the reading back.
Why people find it useful
- It shows progress on days when the to-do list barely moved.
- It records how long tasks really took, which helps with future planning.
- It is handy for performance reviews, invoices, and status updates.
- It can ease the sense that the day disappeared.
What the research does and does not say
We did not find studies testing done lists as a productivity method. Two findings are related, and one is a useful caution.
A done list is a ready-made record of that past experience, which may make estimates more realistic.
So if your goal is falling asleep, a short to-do list for tomorrow may serve you better at bedtime than reviewing what you did. Many people use both: a done list at the end of the workday, and a quick list for tomorrow before bed.
Done list at work, done list at home
At work, a done list helps with status updates and reviews. At home, it can show how much invisible effort goes into running a household: appointments booked, forms filled, meals made. Some people find that seeing that effort written down changes conversations with partners about who does what.
Keeping it effortless
These are general strategies, not treatment.
- Use one place only, the same note every day.
- Write as you go, or do a two-minute catch-up before closing your laptop.
- Keep entries short. A done list is not a diary.
- On Fridays, skim the week and highlight anything worth remembering.
ADHDFalcon has free focus tools where you can check items off as you finish them, which builds a done list automatically.
A hypothetical example
For example, someone who often feels unproductive might keep a done list for one week. On Friday they notice that interruptions took up most afternoons, and that the report they planned for two hours took four. Next week they block mornings for deep work and give reports more time. The list did not make them work harder. It made the week easier to see.
Seeing the bigger picture
If you regularly feel that days slip away no matter how hard you work, and that has been true for years, it may help to look at attention and time more closely. The free screener uses the official six-question ASRS v1.1 Screener, and the result is free.
A starting point for your next step.
Try the free screener- What did I finish today that no list captured?
- Which tasks took longer than I expected this week?
- Would a done list help me more at work or at home?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a done list and a to-do list?
A to-do list holds what is left. A done list records what you finished, including unplanned work.
Is a done list good before bed?
One sleep study found that writing a to-do list for tomorrow helped people fall asleep faster than writing about completed tasks, so a to-do list may suit bedtime better.
Does a done list help with motivation?
Many people say it does, but there is little research on it. Try it for a week and see.
Sources
Source check: 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.
- Buehler R, Griffin D, Ross M. Exploring the "planning fallacy": why people underestimate their task completion times. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1994;67(3):366-381.
- Scullin MK, Krueger ML, Ballard HK, Pruett N, Bliwise DL. The effects of bedtime writing on difficulty falling asleep: a polysomnographic study comparing to-do lists and completed activity lists. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. 2018;147(1):139-146.
Published 2026-10-28. Factual source check: ADHDFalcon editorial team, factual source check, 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.