Why You Should Create a "To-Don't" List

Now, I know this is not grammatically correct but you get my drift 😂! We spend so much time creating to-do lists and let's be honest, sometimes those lists can get overwhelming.

Sometimes our to-do lists can grow faster than we have time to check things off.

So, I want to flip this on it's head and talk about creating a To-Don't list... Let's get into it:

What is a To-Don't list?

It is a list of things that do not require your time and investment. It is a list of things that can be distractions or impediments to you achieving your goals. Simply put, it is anything that you can Delete, Delegate or Outsource! These are the things that belong on your to-don't list.

Why is it important to create this list? Ask yourself these questions:

• Have you ever created a laundry list of things that you never seem to accomplish?

• You continue to look at it day in/ day out and you procrastinate checking things off the list in favor of other tasks?

• Have you ever looked back on your day and asked yourself "What did I accomplish?"

• Ever have a time where you were completing a task but you were frustrated and angry that you agreed to do it?

This is why you create a to-don't list.

• It serves as a reminder of the things you should say no to!

• It removes the distractions and interference so that you can focus on. your goals

• It frees you from time-sucking activities that don't have a return on your investment

• it helps you to distinguish between high impact vs. low impact activities

So here's how you do it:

• Look at a recap of your day or week and write down. what you did and didn't accomplish

• Evaluate the things you did accomplish (including the ones that were outside of your plan) and ask yourself, did this serve me? How did I feel doing these tasks, was I angry or frustrated by them?

• What are the things you procrastinated in accomplishing?

• What are the things that are emotionally draining?

• What are the things that simply don't need to be done?

• Proactively identify all the things you can Delete, Delegate or Outsource

Delete: what are the things that you should no longer be doing? These are the things that you can automate like; bill pay. What make time to focus on paying your bills when you can set them up to automatically be deducted from your account?

Delegate: what are the things that you can involve someone else to handle? This could be your partner or spouse, a co-worker, team member or employee. Think about the things that don't require your skill level OR better yet, the things that someone else would be better at and has capacity to handle! Give them these responsibilities and allow them to have ownership.

Outsource: what are the things you can hire someone else to do? While you may not be interested in incurring additional costs to pay for outsourcing... the value of your time and the return on your investment can be in multiples. Think about it... if you were to outsource laundry (for example). Yes, you may pay someone $100 to wash, dry and fold your clothes BUT, what can you do with the 2 hours you get back? Could that time be used investing in your business, investing in yourself? The ROI there is much more significant than the upfront cost.

So go ahead, take some time to create your list and schedule a morning meeting with yourself to check in and keep yourself on task.

You've got this!