Positivity Corner: Paper Chain of Accomplishments

Who else here is a procrastination expert? What?! No one but me? I don’t believe you! I can’t possibly be the only creative in the room… I also can’t possibly be the only person needing a little bit of help in the motivation department.

A couple years back, I learned this fun little trick to help myself get through the annoying, tedious things I have to accomplish every day. Sometimes, it’s the boring work task, or applying to potential clients or jobs. Sometimes it’s reading a heavy text for grad school when I really would rather go out and play!

Since I’m a visual person who loves to check things off a list, I found a fun little way to combine the two for a micro motivation tool that adds some color to my home, too. I make a paper chain of accomplishments.

Each week, I make a to-do list full of things I need to accomplish on any given day. It could be fun things for the MockingOwl Roost, or maybe a tedious task for work. Whatever it is, it goes on the list. And the list is color-coordinated, with “categories” of life in different colors. For example, my grad school work is in green text, while work tasks are in red.

Now, there are some things I do every single day (check email, write articles, etc.) and these don’t get a link in the chain. However, there are tasks that are one-off and quite often unpleasant, intimidating, or just plain tedious. This is where my motivation comes in.

For each one of these less than favored tasks, I do two things. One, I check them off my list and celebration ensues! And two, I cut a strip of colored card stock in the task’s color and then link it into the existing paper chain of accomplishments. I also write the name of the task on the link to help remind me of what I accomplished.

It’s a trivial thing, really, and doesn’t technically do anything to change my world. But it is a small motivation that helps me see what I’ve accomplished on a daily basis. And when you really need some motivation, let me tell you, this trick works for us color-coordinated folks who need some visuals around!

Plus, it adds some fun color pops around the house. Win-win-win!

Bonus tip: If you have the time and skill, you can turn each piece into origami or fun shapes like hearts or birds or snowflakes, depending on your mood and the season, too.

Looking for more? Check out other positive thoughts, motivation, and encouragement from the MockingOwl Roost contributors and staff.

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Rita Mock-Pike

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Editor-in-Chief of The MockingOwl Roost, Rita Mock-Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix, Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane solo around the world. Rita has found inspiration from her grandmother’s life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theatre, podcasting, novel writing, and cooking up delicious food from around the world. She now writes on food, travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She’s happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.

• That Night in Parramatta
• The Flying Housewife, A True Story - Audio Drama
• Rita’s Theatre Tips & Tricks – Combatting Breaking Character on Stage
• The Yoga Prescription, A Nonfiction Book Review