WTF is a reverse to-do list?
Great question, thank you for asking...
What is a "reverse to-do list"?
A reverse to-do list is a gentle cognitive reframe. Instead of focusing on what’s left undone, you focus on what you actually accomplished. By writing down your completed actions at the end of the day, you redirect attention from scarcity (“I didn’t do enough”) to sufficiency (“I made progress”).
It functions a bit like the to-don’t list I explore in Smarter: both tools interrupt unhelpful mental loops and encourage us to be more deliberate with our energy and attention.
What are the benefits?
Reduces stress and overwhelm: Traditional to-do lists can create anxiety by highlighting incompleteness. A reverse list lowers pressure by emphasizing progress.
Supports self-worth: Many people tie productivity to value. Noting what you did interrupts that inner critic and helps rebuild a sense of competence.
Releases dopamine: Checking things off—even retroactively—gives the brain a reward hit, which strengthens motivation.
Encourages gratitude and presence: It helps you see the small, often overlooked wins that make up daily life.
Who might benefit most?
Perfectionists and high achievers who set unrealistic expectations for themselves.
People prone to self-criticism who end the day feeling like they’ve fallen short.
Those experiencing burnout or decision fatigue, who need a kinder, more sustainable lens on progress.
How might it boost productivity?
Productivity isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about energy management and mindset. A reverse to-do list gives you a sense of closure and momentum, which helps prevent procrastination and rumination. When you see proof of steady progress, you’re more likely to sustain effort on bigger, long-term projects. It builds psychological safety around work, which paradoxically makes you more effective.
Does it help with short-term and long-term goals?
Yes.
Short-term: It closes the loop on daily effort, giving you micro-moments of reward.
Long-term: Looking back over weeks or months, you see the accumulation of small steps—what psychologists call “evidence stacking.” This combats the feeling that you’re stuck or not moving forward, and helps you stay the course on larger ambitions.
Tips for writing one?
Make it a ritual: Do it at the end of the workday or before bed, as a psychological “shut down” cue.
Keep it simple: A notebook, a phone note, even jotting on a post-it is enough.
Capture the small things too: Sending an email, making a meal, resting when you needed to—these are all valid accomplishments.
Daily practice is best: It trains your brain to notice wins automatically, which rewires your perception of progress.
Anything else important?
I’m a fan of the reverse to-do list because it humanizes productivity. Instead of measuring your worth by how busy you look, you measure by what you actually moved forward. Paired with the to-don’t list—which helps cut out distractions and false urgencies—it’s a smarter way to balance ambition with self-compassion.
In other words, it’s less about squeezing more in, and more about finding calm clarity in what you already do.