Why You Might Be Making More Progress Than You Think

A while back I wrapped up a week that felt like a slog. I gave it my all, but at the end, all I could see was the mountain of tasks left undone.

Maybe you know the feeling.

Maybe you’ve ended a week—or even a year—frustrated by how much more you wish you’d accomplished. It’s easy to zero in on what’s still unfinished.

But then something shifted for me.

The Realization That Changed My Perspective

I sat down to plan my next week, something that for me involves a step I first learnt from the Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt, and have since incorporated into my own systems. As part of the process, I reviewed my “Weekly Big 3” - three objectives I’d identified as most important for moving toward my big goals.

To my surprise, I realized I had completed all three.

That was it. My “Big 3” were done.

Sure, my to-do list still had plenty left on it. And yes, I could point to dozens of things I hadn’t touched. But here’s the truth: they weren’t the most important things.

The Difference Between Busy and Productive

If you’re chasing big, meaningful goals - whether at work, in your personal life, or both - you’re always going to have a long to-do list. That’s just the nature of a full life.

But here’s the thing: not all tasks are created equal.

When you identify what truly matters in a given week or season and focus your energy there, you’re making meaningful progress. Even if the rest of the list remains untouched.

And the power so often lies in recognising that progress.

It’s easy to keep running the race without ever pausing to notice how far you’ve come. But when you stop and reflect, you see that each completed “lap” is a success in its own right.

Why It’s So Easy to Miss Your Own Progress

Marie Curie once wrote to her brother:

“One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done.”

That quote has always resonated with me. The unfinished always screams louder than the finished. But if we only look at what’s left to do, we’ll miss the growth, the wins, and the victories along the way.

That’s why review routines - whether daily, weekly, or yearly - are so crucial. They’re not just about planning the next thing; they’re about noticing and celebrating what’s already happened.

How to Recognize and Celebrate Progress

As you head into a new week, month, quarter, or year, here’s a practice that’s helped me - perhaps it might help you too:

1. Set Clear Goals
   Start each week (or whatever block of time) by identifying the key outcomes that matter most. Not every task will be a “Big Rock.” Pick the few that truly move the needle.

2. Review Regularly
   Take time to reflect on what you’ve done—not just what’s left undone. Review your goals weekly, monthly, or even daily. This keeps you grounded in the bigger picture.

3. Celebrate Wins
   Big or small, progress is worth celebrating. Maybe it’s checking off your “Big 3” for the week. Maybe it’s just showing up consistently for what matters. Give yourself credit.

4. Reframe What’s Left
   I have to remind myself often - the unfinished list doesn’t mean failure. It’s a sign that you’re pursuing something big enough to demand prioritisation. That’s not a flaw; it’s a feature of a purposeful life.

Are You Making More Progress Than You Think?

At the end of any day or week, it’s easy to focus on what didn’t get done. But take a moment to look back. You might find that you’ve accomplished more than you realise.

The journey is long, and there will always be more ahead. But today, take time to notice how far you’ve already come.

Because progress - real, meaningful progress - is worth noticing.