Getting Things Done

I'm going to contrast this with David Allen's book Getting Things Done. I mean, rather than discussing how to get things done, I'd like to discuss the psychological satisfaction that comes from doing tangible, measurable things. A person can do a lot without ever really knowing just how much he's accomplished. I think that:
- reading a book is more satisfying than reading a book on the computer
- entertaining friends is more satisfying than being entertained
- making something is more satisfying than buying it
- going to the gym is more rewarding when you keep a progress journal

Why is it that human beings have difficulty seeing their own progress? On a computer, what would be a good way to make progress more tangible and rewarding in that way?