How to Create a To-Don’t List For the New Year
Have you heard the saying: “Business strategy is as much about saying ‘no’, as it is about saying ‘yes’.”? Well, this concept also applies to our time and how we spend it.
In 2021, when writing my second book became the top priority for me, I needed to create the time and space to do it well. This included being clear about the things that I was NOT going to do. For example, I decided to say no to pitch meeting requests: “I’m heads-down writing my book and am not taking pitch meetings for the next six weeks.” It was so clarifying to be able to say this. And the ‘no’ also felt less personal because it had nothing to do with the person requesting the meeting. Instead, it was a blanket decision I had made.
Steps to Creating a To-Don’t List
So, how do you decide what stays on your to-do list and what moves to your to-don’t list?
Start by looking over both your to-do list and your work calendar for the last three months. Does anything stand out as unnecessary? Are there tasks or meetings you only schedule because you’ve always done so? As you look at each item, ask yourself the four questions below.
If you answer ‘Yes’ to at least one of these questions, it’s worth making time for the task on your to-do list.
Does this support one of my personal or professional goals?
Is this a fundamental part of my job description?
Does this give me access to a valuable connection or a different part of the business?
Does it bring me joy?
For example, you might be serving on a committee that is not directly aligned with your goals (#1), but it gives you access to a co-worker that can be a valuable connection (#3). In this case, the committee may be worthy of your time.
If a task doesn’t meet any of the criteria above, then add it to your to-don’t list.
In practice, what this process looks like for me is regular, intentional check-ins on both lists: my to-dos and to-don’ts. It’s also about knowing that when I let go of a task, it doesn’t have to be forever. There may be a time in the future where bringing the task back into my life makes sense. It’s also ok for tasks to move back and forth between the two lists.
BOTTOM LINE: You have control (or, at least, influence) over what makes it onto your to-do list. Create the time in your day for the things that matter, or bring you joy. 💫
P.S. I first wrote about this topic in my book Embrace the Work, Love Your Career, where you’ll find more strategies and exercises to help you create a career you love.