Why is it so satisfying to cross something off a list?

because it means you’ve shown one of those bastards a thing or…nevermind

because anything that produces a sense of accomplishment is a great feeling.

Because it is officially DONE.

Because it shows that you’ve done something instead of sitting around all day thinking that you’re going to do something, but never getting it done.

The first item on lists I make usually reads: 1) Cross off all the items on this list

We can pretend that we are not one second closer to death.

Think of your lists from 10 years ago. Have they changed your life in any way, big or small, that really matters?

Because you set a goal, you worked at it and you reached it.

Why wouldn’t it feel great to know you successfully finished something so meticulously planned?

Because you’ve just proven your mother you aren’t a total failure!

Because your ass got off the computer and did something.

I just got back from a trip and found 57 “Questions for You” from Fluther. It felt great to hit “Remove All”.

Because letters are evil and they must be stopped
Because it’s easier to just cross all your t’s in one fell swoop
The feeling of accomplishment
Because we like to waste ink, lead, and pixels
Because things left half finished are annoying.

It’s like one chapter of a book (metaphorically speaking for your life, things to do and accomplish, things to get over with, mountains to climb, goals, etc.) that’s finished and done with. You can finally take with you the good emotions derived out of it and leave behind the old ones. Begin the next chapter and a start a new lesson.

It signifies progress, in my opinion. Not necessarily limited to accomplishment, but progress.

Because it instills a sense of accomplishment for completing a task. Furthermore, it shows that you’re one step closer to being done with chores or errands or whatever else the list is comprised of and closer still to being able to relax and enjoy yourself.

@Bluefreedom :...until tomorrow and the next list, remember.

@gailcalled. You’re not kidding. The daily grind never goes away. =)

@Bluefreedom: I’m telling you. Find a list from ten years ago and see whether crossing off every item made you more productive, happier, richer, thinner or younger.

@gailcalled. I don’t have any lists that are that old but I would think that your views are accurate in that upon finishing a list, it didn’t have the significant impacts like the ones you listed in your answer. I believe, as I said before, they were accomplishments (albeit minor and temporary ones probably) on the way to earning a little R&R after everything was finished or crossed off.

(@Bluefreedom: I occasionally find old lists that I have used as book marks.)

A month ago, I bought some superglue; the projects that call for it sit, untouched. If I died tonight, no one would care whether I glued that glass table top together.

— Sense of accomplishment.
— Virtue points: “What a good girl am I!”
— Sense of forward movement.
— License to goof off a little or enjoy another reward before tackling the next chore.
— Fulfillment of the purpose of making the list.

Sometimes I like to pretend that I made the list a little sooner than I really did, and begin it with something I’ve just finished so I can cross it off. Success breeds success.

Of course, that means license to goof off a little before I actually start. Hidden bonus.

Answer Trustinglife’s question.

There. That’s better. :D

Listen to Augustlan

Give some lurve to @gailcalled, @Jeruba, @augustlan, and @Tink1113.

[Editor’s note: This turned into a long post, but I promise it’s impassioned, and hopefully, inspiring.]

@gailcalled I see it a bit differently from you, Gail. And I appreciate your offering this different perspective on the question.

You’re right, if you died tonight, no one would care whether you glued that glass table top together. But if you’re reading this, you didn’t die last night. And I’m guessing that YOU care whether the table top gets glued. Otherwise, why do it? Seems to me that that’s the only reason to do anything – that you care that it gets done. Of course it doesn’t matter ultimately. But my quality of life is definitely influenced by how diligent and courageous I am in doing the items on my list that I have determined are important to me. If it weren’t important to me, it wouldn’t be on the list.

I just looked at the top items on my to-do list for tomorrow. I’m calling the landlord to resolve something, setting up a carpool with a friend, writing a birthday card for one of the dearest people in my life, packing for a weekend of blessed activities… In 10 years, with that looooong view’s perspective, you’re right, I won’t care whether I did those things. But right this moment, I care deeply, I see these items as essential, and I’m proud that I’ll be handling them. I’ve decided that there’s nothing more important for me to do tomorrow with my available time.

With full respect, I have a concern about the perspective from which I’m guessing your coming from, Gail, and it’s a concern that inspired this impassioned rant. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m responding to what seems like resignation to me, and it sounds like this: “Well, if I do this or don’t do this thing, it won’t matter in 10 years anyway. Come to think of it, why am I doing anything on this list? Why not just take that wonderful R&R now, rather than postpone it till after I cross these silly things off my list? Ah, forget these things… the daily grind will resume again tomorrow regardless.”

Of course, R&R is essential to life, absolutely. But isn’t action also? And isn’t it essential to feel as good as you can, that what you’re doing is important and worthy of your time and attention? Isn’t a dull life filled with uninspired actions one feels one must do? And isn’t an inspired life filled with inspired actions – handling things you feel called to do, things that feel important and essential, and you’re glad to do them? Thanks for reading my loooong post!

@Trustinglife: I am never resigned, and I am a contented person who does not live in squalor and chaos. My posts were meant to be light-hearted.

As I age, I am more relaxed about many things but still today, I go to farmers’ market, library, think about the glass table top, emply litter box onto poison ivy, empty dishwasher, weed, wash hair and primp for a night at the theater and do an errand for a shut in.

@gailcalled I’m pleased to hear of your contentment and easeful productivity. I could take a page from that book.

I didn’t mean to attack you at all; I think my rant was more inspired by what I projected on to you and gave me a place to launch from. It was good for me to hear what I wrote.

@Trustinglife, if you maintain a close relationship with someone special in your life, have a wonderful weekend, and do other things you that care deeply about, you will care in 10 years that you did those things because you will have long-held ties with dear ones and many precious memories. You will also be the person who did them—and that’s an investment in yourself. That’s exactly what you want to have in 10 or 30 or 60 years, whether you did all your chores or not.

True!

Because I didn’t want to do it in the first place?