It is common practice among productive people to make "To Do" lists. No doubt, identifying and writing down important tasks is a key to getting things done. It also makes a person feel good to check things off a "To Do" list. Crossing something off a list provides immediate satisfaction that you are moving forward and accomplishing what you set out to do. This sense of momentum builds confidence.
However, knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. A wise ship captain knows to avoid the large chunk of dangerous ice hidden beneath the visible tip of an iceberg. The tip of the iceberg sticks out and seems manageable to navigate, but a much larger mass lurks below. The hidden ice must be avoided if the journey is to be completed safely. Likewise, if you want to complete your most important "To Do" tasks, you must avoid the ever present and plentiful list of things "Not To Do".
Are the items on your "To Do" list truly important in terms of yielding results, or are they simply busywork? If a specific task cannot be clearly tied to a desired result, then it is busywork...a waste of time and effort. Busywork will distract you from accomplishing your goals in a timely manner. Instead, put such tasks on your "Not To Do" list.
What about bad habits, common interruptions, and other things that commonly lead you down a path of distraction and inefficiency? You know...that tendency of yours to help any and every coworker who comes to your office door, no matter if their request relates to you or not. And that tendency of yours to check email multiple times while you are trying to focus on something else more important. The list of potential pitfalls is long, so one needs to identify and guard against them appropriately.
I find it helpful to avoid busywork, bad habits, and distractions by creating a "Not To Do" list when writing out my "To Do" list. The act of thinking about and writing down what not to do helps me steer clear of such traps. I then stay better focused on what I really need to be doing, and behave in more congruence with my ideals.
When you make your next "To Do" list, try making a "Not To Do" list as well. Write down anything and everything that you think will keep you from focusing on and completing your most crucial tasks in a time effective manner. This simple exercise could help you accomplish your goals in less time with fewer frustrations, while building ever increasing positive momentum.
So what will you not do today?
However, knowing what not to do is as important as knowing what to do. A wise ship captain knows to avoid the large chunk of dangerous ice hidden beneath the visible tip of an iceberg. The tip of the iceberg sticks out and seems manageable to navigate, but a much larger mass lurks below. The hidden ice must be avoided if the journey is to be completed safely. Likewise, if you want to complete your most important "To Do" tasks, you must avoid the ever present and plentiful list of things "Not To Do".
Are the items on your "To Do" list truly important in terms of yielding results, or are they simply busywork? If a specific task cannot be clearly tied to a desired result, then it is busywork...a waste of time and effort. Busywork will distract you from accomplishing your goals in a timely manner. Instead, put such tasks on your "Not To Do" list.
What about bad habits, common interruptions, and other things that commonly lead you down a path of distraction and inefficiency? You know...that tendency of yours to help any and every coworker who comes to your office door, no matter if their request relates to you or not. And that tendency of yours to check email multiple times while you are trying to focus on something else more important. The list of potential pitfalls is long, so one needs to identify and guard against them appropriately.
I find it helpful to avoid busywork, bad habits, and distractions by creating a "Not To Do" list when writing out my "To Do" list. The act of thinking about and writing down what not to do helps me steer clear of such traps. I then stay better focused on what I really need to be doing, and behave in more congruence with my ideals.
When you make your next "To Do" list, try making a "Not To Do" list as well. Write down anything and everything that you think will keep you from focusing on and completing your most crucial tasks in a time effective manner. This simple exercise could help you accomplish your goals in less time with fewer frustrations, while building ever increasing positive momentum.
So what will you not do today?