Roughly two decades ago I came across the concept of "YayMe.txt".

This fella described how he keeps a file on his computer, and everyday when something nice happens he'll open up that text file and write down the date with whatever the nice thing was.

It might be that he rode his bike to work that day instead of driving the car. Or a client who sent a nice email to show their appreciation. He just keeps adding to the YayMe.txt file, so that over time it becomes a compendium of good things that have happened in his life. Mostly, things that reflect on himself.

Because we have no trouble reminding ourselves that we are too old, or too fat, or too bald, or too slow, or lack skills, or lack confidence, or whatever. We do this all day every day without even trying. YayMe.txt is a way to try and remember that there are good things in your world, and that for the most part you are one of those good things.

Two decades later I have a file in my notepad titled "YayMe.txt", where I drop screenshots of those emails and posts and whatever else that marks today as a good day. I start a new one each year, because the note file gets very full.

#YayMeDotText
@ewen This is so wonderful and it's incredible that you have kept it going so long. I suggest a similar thing to early career folks at work so they have meaningful things to include in their self-evaluations (while rarely remembering myself). I should adopt this for myself. Thanks for always sharing great perspective and your overall positive (and authentic) vibe.
@shom

🤍

@ewen @shom

Oh man, you reminded me that I kept a text file of a work journal. I had so much busy work in my late twenties and the feeling that I was never doing anything. Once I began to fill up the work journal with every small productive thing I began to feel better.

We do so much and have few if any tangible items to show for our accomplishments. On some weeks the text file was my only tangible that outlined the bank runs, the phone calls, and the hours learning a database program.

@MyWoolyMastadon @shom

A few folks have commented recently that half the value of keeping a "to do list" is seeing all the things you ticked off it :) Paper lists are great for that. Digital lists we tend to delete the done things, and just stare at the not-done things! Oops :)

@ewen @shom

I'd call what I did more of an accomplishment list. Nothing got deleted and it wasn't a tick list of what needed to be done. It only tracked what I did that was productive no matter how small. Twenty minutes to fix the fax, calls to clients, research into advertising graphics, etc.

The top most item was the current day and what was last done.

Yes. A paper journal of some sort is more useful in the long run.