--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It can be helpful simply to make a…" description: "\"It can be helpful simply to make a written or mental list of the things you do each day. Then give yourself a mental credit for each of them, however s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66f/david-d-burns-4607_credit_it-can-be-helpful-simply-to-make-a-writt_1239832.png" --- # It can be helpful simply to make a written or mental list… ![“It can be helpful simply to make a written or mental list of the things you do each day. Then give yourself a mental credit for each of them, however small. This will help you focus on what you have done instead of what you haven't gotten around to do. It may sound simplistic, but it works.” quote by David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66f/david-d-burns-4607_credit_it-can-be-helpful-simply-to-make-a-writt_1239832.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66f/david-d-burns-4607_credit_it-can-be-helpful-simply-to-make-a-writt_1239832.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66f/david-d-burns-4607_credit_it-can-be-helpful-simply-to-make-a-writt_1239832.png) > “It can be helpful simply to make a written or mental list of the things you do each day. Then give yourself a mental credit for each of them, however small. This will help you focus on what you have done instead of what you haven't gotten around to do. It may sound simplistic, but it works.” [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Tracking daily actions and crediting yourself builds positive focus and counters neglect bias. **In simple terms:** Give yourself credit for small daily tasks. Key Takeaway Acknowledge each day's achievements. Themes self‑esteem productivity mindfulness Mood encouraging reflective Type self‑help practical When to use this quote - personal journaling - goal setting - performance reviews - therapy sessions Key Concepts cognitive behavioral therapy habit formation Questions to Reflect On - What small task did you accomplish today? - How does crediting yourself affect motivation? A Different Perspective May overlook quality of actions, focusing only on quantity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Credit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credit/) [Each day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/each-day/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Little things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-things/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) ## Related quotes > [I think the most important thing I work on is just my mental approach to every day, my mental approach to the game. 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Once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-malone/i-sat-with-my-feet-up-on-my-desk-and-started-to-make-a-mental-list-of/) [Melody Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-malone/) > [For me, you really need those pre-fight nerves to help you focus and switch on. The most important thing is to keep control of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-campbell/for-me-you-really-need-those-pre-fight-nerves-to-help-you-focus-and/) [Luke Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-campbell/) > [I can't help it. I always focus in on the negative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-white/i-can-t-help-it-i-always-focus-in-on-the-negative/) [Wayne White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-white/) > [God, help me to focus on Truth instead of the trial. Help me to give thanks instead of giving into fear. Help me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-daugherty/god-help-me-to-focus-on-truth-instead-of-the-trial-help-me-to-give/) Whitney Daugherty ## More by David D. 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Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) [Explore all 108 David D. Burns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) ## More Credit quotes > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [Forget the credit, they (male actors) take all the money as well. We don't get paid even one-third of what male actors get. 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