Not-to-do list: what it is, and why you should make one -

“Please, not another list!” We hear you, but this one is different, we promise! You often make lists of stuff you want/have to do, right? This time, though, you’ll do the exact opposite—you'll make a list of the stuff you don’t want to do. Enter: the not-to-do list.

This is a great way to simplify your life, prioritize what’s important, and improve your productivity and well-being. In this gallery, we explain what a not-to-do list consists of, its pros and cons, and provide examples that you can include in yours. Ready? Click on to learn all about it.

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What is a not-to-do list? -

A not-to-do list is the opposite of a to-do list. It’s essentially a deliberate list of tasks, habits, and behaviors you want to avoid.

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Difference between to-do and not-to-do lists -

While to-do lists focus on things you need to actively achieve, not-to-do lists emphasize the opposite. They are all about the things that can be removed from your life, simplifying it; subtracting, rather than adding things to your life.

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Focus on not doing -

"It's hip to focus on getting things done, but it's only possible once we remove the constant static and distraction. If you have trouble deciding what to do, just focus on not doing," suggests American entrepreneur Tim Ferries.

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Who is it for? -

A not-to-do list can be a great productivity and self-improvement tool for anyone, regardless of what you do for a living or what part of the world you live in.

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Pros -

One of the main advantages of making a not-to-do list is the increased focus on the tasks you need/want to do. By eliminating distractions, you can dedicate more time to the stuff that really matters.

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Pros -

Making such a list will also impact your stress levels in a positive way, and will help with decision-making.

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Cons -

And how about the cons? Well, when done exhaustively, these lists can feel restrictive, and even castrating at times. If you’re someone who struggles with rigidity, then you need to take extra care when making a list that doesn’t make you even more inflexible.

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Cons -

There is a risk of feeling overwhelmed when lists are made without following a number of basic guidelines (more on that later), and the pressure of not-doing stuff can get to you.

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How to get started: set goals -

The first step is to identify why you’re making this list. Do you feel like you waste too much time on superfluous things? Or perhaps you want to make sure you get organized to accommodate a new objective in your life? Having an understanding of the purpose is important.

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Identify distractions -

This is where the fun begins. What are your biggest distractions? Do you find yourself doom scrolling on social media for hours? Do you end up going down the rabbit hole of responding to work emails that are not really urgent? Whatever that is, write it down.

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Prioritize the list -

Now, think about how much those things impact your life, your productivity, and progress towards the goals you’re looking to achieve.

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Make it specific and actionable -

The items on your list should be specific and actionable. For example, if you spend 30 minutes on TikTok (specific) you can delete the app from your phone or use a timer (action).

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Make it manageable -

You don’t want another endless to-do list. The idea is to tackle a few things that will improve your life, not make you feel overwhelmed or stressed out because you failed to tick all the boxes.

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Remain flexible -

Flexibility is key here. It’s important to reassess your list regularly and make any necessary adjustments.

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Communicate it to others -

It’s a good idea to communicate some of the items on your list to others, especially those affected by it. For instance, if you’re reserving a particular time to reply to messages, people won’t find it weird that you don’t reply if they're aware of that.

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What to include -

So, what to include in your not-to-do list? Well, anything and everything that will help you live a better life and reach your goals. Let’s take a look at a few examples.

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Don’t check emails all the time -

Do you find yourself checking emails all the time, even outside of your working hours? Well, do you need to, really? If the answer is no, then why not add this to your not-to-do list? As an action, you can designate a specific time slot to do this.

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Don’t reply to every single email and chat message -

Prioritizing your workload is important, and sometimes this means ignoring a few emails and chats along the way. Do you really need to reply to every single email you receive and engage in every conversation?

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Don’t spend more than X amount of time on social media -

Social media can be time-consuming and many of us don’t even notice how much time we spend on it a day. You can still enjoy social media, just time it accordingly so it won’t have an impact on your productivity and goals.

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Don’t eat lunch at your desk -

Taking breaks is important, so your lunchtime should be used for eating, catching up with your colleagues, going for a walk, or whatever you want to do—other than work. If you find yourself doing this a lot, maybe you can add it as an item to your list.

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Don't snooze the alarm clock -

We’ve all done it, and we all know we shouldn’t have done it and came to regret it. Those extra 10 minutes you get in bed are not worth it because you’ll end up falling asleep and waking up again in the middle of the sleep cycle, which will likely make you feel groggy.

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Don’t go crazy with time blocking -

Time blocking is a great productivity tool, without a doubt. But it’s also important to have a degree of flexibility throughout your day, and indeed to leave some parts of your day free.

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Don’t drink coffee after X time -

A nice cup of joe is great, especially at the start of the day. Caffeine can, however, affect your sleep, and considering its effects can last hours in your body, it’s best to avoid it at least six hours before bed (the longer, the better).

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Don’t have more than X drinks -

Sure, enjoy a couple of drinks, but it’s good to have a limit in mind. How much can you get done with a hangover the next day, right?

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Don’t take the elevator -

Avoid taking the elevator if you can. Moving is good for us, and many of us don’t do it enough throughout the day.

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Don’t go to bed later than X time -

Establishing a good sleep routine is important for both your well-being and productivity. Going to bed at the same time can help you get the necessary amount of sleep, as well as ensure your circadian rhythm remains consistent.

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Don’t bring your phone into your bedroom -

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of not being exposed to the blue light of electronic devices before bedtime. It basically affects melatonin (the sleep hormone) production and keeps you awake.

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Don’t try to please everyone -

Not everyone will like you or what you do. It's a fact many of us struggle to deal with, but it’s okay not to please everyone. In fact, it’s not possible, so you're better off accepting it.

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Don’t spend more than X on X -

How much money do you find acceptable to spend on a meal, a pair of sneakers, or a hotel room? Remember to stick to your budget with this no-to-do item on your list.

Sources: (MindJournal) (Simplish) (Ness Labs)

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