This isn't about fluffy bunnies and unicorns.
It's about choosing what you want your brain to remember.
Your brain is brilliant at spotting what went wrong. And when something improves, you can get used to it so quickly that you barely notice the change.
A To-Do list is what you plan to do. A Ta-Da list is what you DID. It's a way of noticing those little achievements instead of letting them disappear.
Even on a dreadful day, you can have a Ta-Da. You don't have to feel positive about it. You just have to have done it.
Two rules:
1. Write what you DID, not what you didn't do.
“I went for a walk.” Not “I didn't stay indoors.”
2. Write ONLY the part you want your brain to remember.
“I got out of bed.” Not “I got out of bed, but the rest of the day was rubbish.”
Keep it to an action, not a thought or feeling.
Some Ta-Das:
💡 I got out of bed.
💡 I made myself a coffee.
💡 I sent the email.
💡 I asked for help.
💡 I played with the kids.
Nothing is too small. If you can't think of anything, do one small thing and write it down.
Try writing two or three Ta-Das each day. Ask yourself: “In six months' time, what would I like to remember about today?”
Stop judging. Start understanding.
Want to explore the idea further?
Jane McGonigal's TED talk, The game that can give you 10 extra years of life, helped inspire my Ta-Da practice. It's an optional watch — you can add your Ta-Da without watching it.