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?

It is imperative that you make time to think. Yes...be deliberate, and set aside quiet time periods on a regular basis so you can simply think. Good thinking is key for improving your life and being your best self.

Making time to think leads to good thoughts. Good thoughts lead to positive actions. Positive actions lead to a great life!

When conducting a thinking session, there are no rules per se. You can focus on a specific topic, or think about anything and everything that comes to mind. Some sessions may be just a few minutes, while other sessions may be hours on end. You may find time to think while driving, sitting on your back porch, walking at the beach, while having your morning coffee, or just about anytime and anywhere you can find peace and inspiration. Each session will be different, but developing the habit of thinking is crucial.

Think about what is going good in your life. Think about what is going bad. Think about who/what you want to be, where you want to go, and how you would like to get there. Dream of the future. Reflect back and learn from the past. Be present in the moment. But foremost, know that you have the innate ability to think and therefore create your own unique life experience.

I find it useful to have a pen and paper with me during my thinking sessions. I write sentences, I jot down a few words, I make diagrams, I underline, I use exclamation points, and I capture whatever else flows out of me via ink. Other times, I capture my thoughts by typing on my iPad or computer. Sometimes though, I deliberately do not capture my thoughts, and instead let them float in and out freely. I find that the best ideas stick with me for a bit, which I can then write down at a later time. What can you do to make your thinking sessions a productive and enjoyable event?

To summarize...all great things begin with a thought, so you have to get your thinking right first. Develop the habit of quiet contemplation and use it as a foundation for ever improving your life.