I’m a big fan of to do lists. But recently I’ve realised I also work most efficiently when I’m abiding by my ‘not to do‘ list.
The concept – not rocket science but SO useful – is that while the items on your to do list are important, so are the items which aren’t. Basically, your not to do list will be filled with a bunch of don‘ts. Sticking to those is key to getting through your list of ‘do’s‘.
(For the record: This isn’t my own brilliant discovery. My prompt on ‘not to do’ lists came via a post from author Tim Ferriss, and I’m pretty sure he’s not the first to talk about this.)
Since I’ve been self employed (Years now! Seven? Eight? Ten? It’s a happy blur) I’ve constantly been refining my list of ‘dont’s‘. A few of those include:
- Don’t try to write at the time my body isn’t most productive. For me, night time is out. Proving that everyone is different, Ferriss reckons his best writing happens between 10pm and 5am. Just the time when my best sleeping happens!
- Don’t ‘surf’ emails by cruising around in your inbox. Go in there less often, for a set amount of time (aka Tim Ferriss) and check in bursts (aka Inbox Zero).
- Don’t schedule meetings that require driving across Sydney in peak hour traffic, if there’s a better option.
I like to think of my ongoing don’ts as unwritten rules. Rules that help me work smarter. Guidelines that keep me sane. Let’s face it – when working for yourself it’s particularly important you set some boundaries around how you operate: nobody else is going to do it!
Remember – your not to do list isn’t a ‘get out of jail free’ card.
Obviously, if you ARE going to implement a not to do list, you’ll want a pretty good to do list to balance it out. The concept isn’t about letting go of your goals and sitting back on the couch all day.
But I suspect that if you’re here, and you’ve read this far, you’re probably not doing too much resting on your laurels. In fact, I’m pretty confident that, like me, you often have a ridiculously long to do list or two lying around. If so, why not join me in starting your own not to do list, and pull things back to a smart, sustainable pace?
What’s on your ‘NOT to do’ list? Considering adding anything after reading this?
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I only get one guaranteed solid block of work time each week (building up my freelance writing while also parenting two young kids), so I have a’not to do’ list for that time in particular. No social media, no emails or other small tasks that can be done in shorter spaces of time – just writing the article/s I’ve delegated that time to. I agree that while knowing what you want to achieve is important, you also need to be aware of time traps.
GOOD plan Megan. And when we look at writing so much of what is required to successfully freelance is small tasks (emails, setting up interviews etc) that can be snuck into other slots. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Facebook SHOULD be on my Not To Do list. It is a time sucking vortex. I had to install “Self Control” on my computer. Now I just have to use it.
Hi Shona – TRUE!
I’m ignoring FB at moment (except the fab FB group for writers’ centre grads, and the occasional research). But twitter (which I’m enjoying) has plenty of vortex potential. Have you tried this program called ‘Anti social’ http://anti-social.cc/
Blocks them off! (Like Freedom, but only specific sites. Possibly only a mac thing. I do all my social media in ‘digital dips’ so not yet a problem. But I’m know that may change so am ready!
Hi Sue, I must admit that I haven’t considered having a not-to-do list. However, what a great idea. My biggest challenge as a writer is avoiding interruption during my best time for writing – 7.30am to 12pm. I think I’ll create a list that includes “No meetings in the morning.”
Thanks, Andrew
Hi Andrew – thanks – great to hear it’s useful for you. Yes I’ve long experimented with how to stay focussed during writing time. I think no meetings in that time works as an ongoing ‘not to do’, so I’m REALLY strict with when I schedule meetings – also interviews if possible. Good as it’s a quick productivity payoff.
Also, like today, I’ve been switching on Mac Freedom to stop me dipping in online mid drafts. Multiple weapons!
Facebook is on my unwritten NOT To Do List for the entire month of June. Stress is another thing on there. I have totally relaxed into a very casual “in the moment” type of existence and I love it. The frantic, “must do”, “must succeed” attitude is fading fast. Sure, I have “to do” lists to keep me on track but I don’t have written “not to do lists” as I’m focussing on what I want, not what I don’t want. It’s a positive vs negative thinking mindset. It’s a work in progress.
I did a big “YES” and “NO” on my wall for a while to remind me what I should be doing/not doing. Balance, right? And yes, it’s ALL a work in progress, forever! PS. Frantic ‘must succeed’ completely unsustainable in my opinion too. Most overnight successes have been at it for years. I’m more interested in sustainable success, which sometimes means letting opportunities pass by. (Hence the YES/NO list!)
Absolutely!!!
“Sustainable Success”…I love this. It’s going on my vision board!
Thanks Sue!
Funnily enough, on my first day of freelancing, all those years ago, I instinctively drew up a not-to-do list because I knew day one had to be a good day or else I’d get spooked by the whole idea. From recollection, it had “don’t clean” “don’t do any laundry” “don’t email any friends” – basically, don’t procrastinate & treat this as serious business. For all the very intelligent things I could now say about my modes of work, and how to run a successful writing business from home, I think my biggest tip is probably still: “don’t clean”. Housework can really trip you up! You have to leave it behind, stacking up in the sink, or wherever it is, & pretend you’ve walked out the door.
Kate – that’s great advice. And also funny on a few levels at this end. First, my washing is ALWAYS done during the week as it’s one of my key procrastination tools. Second, I had a friend come over for a spot of coworking last week and she said, “It’s great working at someone else’s place as you aren’t tempted to clean.” So clearly, most of us do it. Except for…Third – I don’t clean at all. I have a cleaner. (Wooee!) But I’m very big on tidying, so am going to work on your ‘pretend you’ve walked out the door’ idea.