Do Less, Achieve More: Improve Your Life with a Don't Do List

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Introduction

We've all heard that old saying, "Less is more." But in our fast-paced, over-scheduled, micro-managed world, doing less can be surprisingly difficult. Even more difficult if you are obsessed with organizing (that's me). I have a reminder app, a note-taking app, a long-form note-taking app, a shared family calendar, a bill reminder app, and yes, everything should sync between my desktop, laptop & phone.

There's always more to accomplish and more commitments to take on. Sometimes, we need to consciously decline opportunities and tasks to make more room for what's truly important - our health, happiness, and overall well-being.

But that does not happen easily. We have made our lives so complex and dependent on technology that we cannot unplug ourselves from the matrix. While we try to simplify our lives and use these tools to help us, they get us entangled, dependent, and addicted. When I was small (we had a rotary dial phone… that small), I remembered all the phone numbers, I could do simple math in my head while buying groceries and paying in coins. But none of that happens anymore because my head is full of stuff; some is required, and the rest is noise.

The Immediate Benefits: A Personal Transformation

A few years ago, as I felt more overwhelmed, frazzled, and stressed out than ever, I decided to try an unorthodox approach - making a "don't do" list. The very idea seemed counterintuitive at first and not aligned with my personality.

Wasn't the whole point of lists to help me get stuff done? But I figured it couldn't hurt to experiment, so I sat down and started brainstorming all the unnecessary activities and distractions that were eating up my time and energy.

Some of the early entries included things like:

• Don’t keep the phone next to your bed.
• Don't check social media first thing in the morning or right before bed.
• Identify when you are doom-scrolling.
• Silent all notifications except phone calls and text messages.
• Don't say yes to last-minute plans or favors without thinking it over first.
• Don't work through lunch or skip breaks at work.
• Don't multitask while watching TV or spending time with family/friends.

But very soon, the list became too long, which made me realize there are so many things keeping my mind full, which is why I can’t concentrate on simple things.

There is a proverb - "You must empty your cup before it can be filled," often used to illustrate the idea of letting go of preconceived notions or beliefs to learn and grow. But this time, I had to empty my brain to get new ideas filled in.

It felt silly initially, but consciously avoiding or limiting those low-impact activities (phone was the biggest culprit) had an immediate effect. I started each day feeling refreshed instead of overwhelmed. I was fully present during personal time rather than distracted. And I didn't take on too many open-ended commitments, leaving space in my schedule rather than feeling overbooked.

Now I have time to try cooking, focus on my blog, go for long walks with music and the sky, spend time with my kid, have a cup of coffee, enjoy family movie nights, etc. This very important list started growing.

As the months went on, I refined my list based on what served me and what could easily be eliminated. Some other entries that found their way onto the list included:

• Don't read the news multiple times a day. Once a day is enough.
• Don't make impulse purchases or spend too much time browsing shopping sites.
• Don't multitask. Enjoy being fully present in the moment.
• Don't over-schedule weekends and personal time with too many obligations.
• Leave your calendar empty. A full calendar is not productive. Go with the flow.

The Ripple Effect: Beyond Time Management

In his book - Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, Greg McKeown emphasizes the importance of focusing on essential tasks and eliminating non-essential ones to improve productivity. He introduces the idea of distinguishing the trivial many from the vital few. McKeown also delves into the concept of making deliberate choices, suggesting that by saying 'no' to non-essentials, we can significantly impact the tasks that truly matter.

Using the same concept, I've found much more balance, focus, and peace of mind by reducing low-value tasks and being more intentional about how I spend my hours. I have room for exercise, hobbies, relaxation as well as responsibilities. My don't-do list has become the most useful tool for maintaining that equilibrium and feeling in control of my schedule rather than constantly stressed or overwhelmed. Now, I live in the moment and not by a list.

This newfound balance has opened up spaces I never knew existed in my day. I've also rediscovered hobbies that once brought me joy but had been pushed to the sidelines in the hustle and bustle of life. While enjoying my newly discovered personal time, I have not forgotten about my responsibilities. In fact, now I do them with excitement because now I have created a counterbalance.

Conclusion

The cornerstone of this transformation has been my "don't-do" list. This list began as a simple experiment and has evolved into an indispensable tool that helps me maintain this delicate equilibrium. It is a constant reminder of what I should avoid, ensuring that I remain in the driver's seat of my life rather than being forever chased by time. Gone are the days when I felt perpetually on edge, stressed, or overwhelmed by an ever-growing list of tasks. Although, I do revisit my don’t do list in case new time-wasters have crept in.

Life is no longer about ticking off tasks and checking boxes but about living each moment to its fullest, with mindfulness and intentionality.

So I encourage you to give the don't do list a try. Brainstorm the unnecessary time suckers that you can minimize or eliminate. Refer to your list when you feel you're taking on too much or not protecting your downtime. Done consistently, it is the simple change needed to improve your quality of life. Do less of what drains you so you have more energy for what enriches you. Now, that's a concept I can check off my list.

Engage with Us

Have you ever tried crafting a "Don't Do" list? How has it impacted your daily routine and overall well-being? Share your insights and experiences in the comments. If this article resonated with you, consider sharing it with your network. For more thought-provoking content, subscribe to our newsletter and explore other articles that inspire intentional living.

Book Recommendations on the Topic:

• "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown
• "The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results" by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
• "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World" by Cal Newport
• "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones" by James Clear
• "The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich" by Timothy Ferriss
• "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business" by Charles Duhigg
• "The Joy of Missing Out: Live More by Doing Less" by Tonya Dalton
• "The Art of Doing Nothing: Simple Ways to Make Time for Yourself" by Veronique Vienne
• "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less" by Barry Schwartz
• "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing" by Marie Kondō