How to Design a Don’t-Do List

We all have To-Do Lists. Maybe you even have more than one. It’s so easy to get focused on the little daily chores at work and home that we can lose sight of why we are doing those tasks in the first place. Instead of starting the year off with another extended list of what you want to accomplish, how about rededicating yourself to living a happier, more fulfilling life by making a list of what you aren’t going to do. Let’s start your Don’t-Do List!

Know Your Values—How many things do we do each day that are expected of us but don’t align with our values? A lot, right? Think about all the little things you do each day that suck up your time and energy—things that aren’t important to you. For example, have your co-workers or boss come to expect you’ll answer emails and texts about work while you are at home? That might lead to you working all hours, instead of helping your child with their homework. Or spending much-needed downtime with yourself. Deciding what’s most important to you is the first thing you need to do to start your Don’t-Do List. If you are spending time and energy on things that aren’t important to you, come up with ways you can get out of doing them.

Avoid Energy Drains—These might be tasks or people that make you feel negative. Or things that take a lot of time and effort to deal with and resolve. Think of coworkers, acquaintances, and even family members who suck the life out of you. They might be too needy, talk trash about everyone, or criticize you whenever you are around. Come up with ways to avoid these people without being rude. Life is too short to spend care-taking people you don’t even like! The same goes for tasks that are draining your time and energy. You should perhaps reconsider the time you spend bowling every Tuesday night. What would you prefer to be doing instead? Find a way to get off those committees and teams that no longer light you up.

Evaluate Task ROI—Every item on your To-Do List has an ROI or Return On Investment. Too often we get caught up in thinking we are the only ones who can do something. When in reality, that only keeps us busy and exhausted. Take a look at your task list. What items are going to improve your life? What’s truly important for you to handle? Consider delegating or outsourcing things that you don’t need to take care of yourself. For example, is it vital that you cut your grass each week? No? Then why not pay a neighbor kid to do it? Tired of spending your weekends managing your finances and investments? Why not hire someone with the right credentials to do that for you? They will be able to do it faster and probably better than you can. And, it will free up time that you can be spending doing things you enjoy with the people you love.

Maverick, pictured above hiding from his To Do list , is a part of the Positively Daily family and a ‘ghost writer’ for us to share tips and suggestions for general topics and posts.