During a period of low self-esteem years ago, I read an article that suggested everyone should compile a list of two hundred accomplishments to date. The author guaranteed it would be a confidence-builder and a mood enhancer.
My immediate reaction was that there was no way I had 200 achievements to list.
But when I started writing, it was an eye-opener.
Try it yourself, and you’ll be amazed and impressed!
The items don’t have to be huge (like winning a Nobel Prize).
Start with things that nearly everyone has accomplished in early childhood — for example:
1) Learned to read
2) Learned to write
3) Learned to ride a bike
After noting these basics, think about your early years and catalog things you accomplished in elementary school, junior high and high school (scholastically, personally, athletically, spiritually, musically, etc.).
Then move on to consider higher education. Also include things you’ve learned on the job and through formal career development.
Now, think about your family and friends. What activities did you learn to do with them? What did they teach you? (Fishing, juggling, how to balance a spoon on the end of your nose?)
List your hobbies.
Itemize all the jobs you’ve had and think about the skills you gained and/or awards you earned from each one. Add those items to the list!
I bet you can record 200 items in a week. Try it and let me know the outcome! This exercise is a guaranteed picker-upper.
—
Here are 85 items from my list that may prompt you to add achievements in various categories:
- Learned to sew
- Learned to knit
- Learned to crochet
- Learned scrapbooking
- Started a mother’s group
- Co-wrote a book about great places for families in the local area
- Won a high school typing award
- Can type more than 90 words a minute
- Only got one speeding ticket in my life
- Had a beautiful baby
- Am a good, loving mother
- Am a devoted friend
- Am a loving sister
- Am a devoted daughter
- Survived XX (a bad boss, a bad marriage, a natural disaster, a financial emergency)
- Am a competent employee
- Was laid off a job, but got a new one
- Survived divorce and thrived
- Was college valedictorian
- Was instrumental in planning a high school reunion
- Lost weight
- Have exercised three times a week for 30+ years
- Served as leader of the mother’s group
- Have the nicest lawn on the block
- Decorated the house on a shoestring
- Found numerous thrift store and yard sale bargains
- Was runner-up in a tennis league
- Was an alternate player on the high school tennis team
- Made it to the top of a climbing wall
- Biked 100 miles
- Taught myself to use computers
- Participated in the Gettysburg Address contest in middle school
- Taught college classes
- Earned a bachelor’s degree
- Earned a master’s degree
- Learned to blog
- Sang a solo in the church choir during elementary school
- Drove a golf ball 100 yards
- Learned to play the piano
- Was on the honor roll
- Once ran 4.2 miles (and never did it again!)
- Bought a house
- Learned to use a baseball glove and play baseball with my son
- Learned how to throw a football
- Raised a great son
- Learned to make pine Christmas wreaths
- Was featured in First magazine
- Was a loan officer
- Was a bank manager
- Learned how to program a VCR
- Learned how to use a camcorder
- Learned how to use a digital camera
- Initiated a project to improve conditions at my son’s elementary school
- Learned French well enough to get around in France
- Taught myself to type at age 10
- Was a corporate trainer
- Was a computer instructor
- Learned shorthand (and still remember a lot of it 20+ years later)
- Ran a mortgage department
- Traveled to XX
- Was runner-up for regional federal employee of the year in my category
- Won XX award at work
- Managed a charity fundraiser
- Raised money for XX
- Gave a speech
- Performed in a play
- Became a certified webmaster
- Learned html coding to create web pages
- Read 54 books in 2014
- Did ziplining
- Have taken numerous solo vacations
- Was an at-home mom for 4+ years (hardest job ever!)
- Learned to live by myself
- Proved my high school teacher wrong (she told me if I dropped out of chemistry class I’d never make anything of myself!)
- Am an avid recycler
- Made it through four months in a wheelchair after breaking my foot
- Planned and hosted my son’s wedding
- Wrote a book about budget wedding planning
- Recorded an editorial on a Pittsburgh radio station
- Earned a Lean Six Sigma green belt
- Taught people to make pine Christmas wreaths
- Came within six inches of making a hole in one on a par 3 golf course
- Grew a cotton plant from a seed (and it bloomed while I was away at summer camp!)
- Kicked a ball through the basketball hoop in the school gym while playing kickball in a junior high school gym class (which the P.E. teacher said had never been done before)
- Spent six weeks in Europe studying French during high school
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wow and wow. What fun that list had to me for you make. I can see where that would lift someones spirits! Plus, I just learned so much more about you wowzers. I think it’s fabulous that you did all those things what accomplishments! Very inspiring indeed!
Carolann recently posted…Gadgets and Tech Toys Wishlist â Part 7
Thanks. Figured it’d be easier for people to make their own lists if they saw ideas of the kinds of things they could list. When you have one of those “boy, am I dumb” days, bringing out this list makes you feel like less of a loser!
Thanks for sharing! That is a creative exercise. It was a great idea to list quite a few of yours as that would help give ideas to someone writing their list.
Emily recently posted…My Top Tip for Having a Productive Day {Free Printable: My Daily Planner}
What a fabulous idea and I’m so glad you said to start with childhood accomplishments. It makes building this list seem more achievable.
Stella Lee (@Purfylle) recently posted…My Sunday Shot 9
This is a fascinating idea. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai recently posted…Home Matters Linky Party #20
This is a wonderful idea. I think I will start a list with each of my 5 kids.
That is a great idea!!
wow. 200. that’s a lot. Love your list, I can borrow a few 🙂 This is a great idea and I will have everyone do this here too. Sometimes you think the accomplishment is too little to celebrate but really no matter how small the goal, if you get it done give yourself a pat on the back! Thanks for sharing with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday!
Kristina and Millie recently posted…Crochet Rainbow Hat Free Pattern
Thanks for sharing on How To Get Organized At Home:) This is an awesome idea, it certainly makes you think in the positive of what you have accomplished already in your life. Thanks for sharing:)
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