What is 'Crossing things off a list' intended to help with?

The concept of "crossing things off a list" serves to keep the task list updated and encourage progress. When an individual marks a task as completed, it not only signifies that they have accomplished something but also provides a visual representation of their progress. This visual cue can significantly enhance motivation and focus, as it offers concrete evidence of productivity. By maintaining an updated list that reflects completed tasks, individuals are more likely to feel a sense of achievement and momentum, which can lead to increased efficiency in handling remaining tasks.

In contrast to this, creating new tasks involves adding to the workload rather than representing progress. While reducing the overall task burden is a beneficial goal, crossing tasks off doesn’t inherently achieve this; it only reflects what has already been accomplished. Making tasks seem less daunting is more of a psychological benefit and does not directly relate to the act of marking tasks as completed. Overall, the act of crossing off completed items is fundamentally about tracking progress and updating one's list in a way that encourages continued productivity.