I prefer electronic versions - the work one has a "done" bit as well as the to-do bit so that is cheering, yes. Maybe I should be more aware of that for the not-work stuff, which is in a different sort of list which doesn't show done things.

I suspect the other problem is that I *care* less about the work stuff that's not been done, so I am able to face the list with equanimity :-/

Occasionally I put things I've already done on lists, just so's I can cross them off. Actually, I saw a version of this (having a "done" list as well as a to-do list, esp if you tend to do a lot of quick-fix stuff which never makes it onto the to-do list) suggested as a good motivational tool the other day, so maybe it's not quite that sad ;-)