IF YOU’RE FEELING OVERWHELMED, MAKE A ‘TO-DON’T’ LIST
I’m sure you’re very familiar with the idea of a ‘to-do’ list, but what about its less popular twin – a ‘to-don’t list? If you’re overwhelmed right now, it may be time to explore this counter-intuitive idea.
Simply put, a to-don’t list is an inventory of things that derail, de-energise or distract you from what’s most important, but that are within your power to change.
The second part of that last sentence is really important. Focusing on what you shouldn’t do is only useful if you have the power to stop doing it. Writing a list of things you don’t want to do anymore, but have no power to change, is better known as complaining.
The good (and bad) news is that most of us spend inordinate amounts of time in unproductive, stress-inducing ways, that are well within our control to stop. Here are some places you can start looking;
- Habits that don’t serve you. For example, excessive use of social media, excessive alcohol consumption, working late into the night and on weekends, among many other possible habits.
- Tasks, projects, or meetings that give you a poor return on your invested time. Often, these things on your list will be important to someone else, but not very important to you.
- Relationships that drain you. For example, friendships that you maintain out of a sense of obligation rather than shared values, or colleagues who complain or gossip incessantly.
I made my very first to-don’t list about 8 years ago, and it was a game-changer for me. I hope it works for you too.
INSPIRATION FROM OTHERS
“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary
“Lost time is never found again.” – Benjamin Franklin
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON
- What is one thing you engage in on a regular basis that undermines your productivity or happiness, and is within your power to stop?
- How would your life be different if you no longer engaged in it?
- What is stopping you from stopping it?
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