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April 03, 2009

Progress: Pay it Forward

Progress: Pay it Forward

Summary

Nearly everyone makes to-do lists or notes down action items, and the natural tendency upon completion is to chuck them into the trash or th

Nearly everyone makes to-do lists or notes down action items, and the natural tendency upon completion is to chuck them into the trash or the recycling bin. However, our research suggests these past task lists might be better recycled as inspiration for future action.

We often decorate our workspaces with imagery and work that’s meant to spark ideation. And yet, rather than being short on ideas, most creative professionals report that what they lack is the discipline and organization to make them happen. For this reason, we recommend surrounding yourself with personal testaments to taking action.

Rather than dispensing with old to-do lists, or archiving away hard-earned work that you’re proud of, use evidence of past actions and positive outcomes to enliven your workspace. Tack them up on the walls and around common spaces as an ongoing “catalog of done” that can provide action-oriented inspiration for the projects you’re working on now.

There is no better push-towards-taking-action than action itself.


***The Behance team researches productivity and leadership in the creative world. These entries are adapted and edited by Jocelyn K. Glei from the Behance team's past articles and research. Behance runs the Behance Creative Network, the Action Method project management application, the Creative Jobs List, and develops knowledge, products, and services that help creative professionals make ideas happen.