Feeling Overwhelmed?

We all know that to-do lists can help keep us organized and productive. But have you ever considered that you might be too productive? If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, maybe it’s time to switch things up and make a “to-don’t” list.

What’s a To-Don’t List? A “to-don’t” list is exactly what it sounds like—a list of things you shouldn’t be doing. It’s for all the non-essential tasks that steal your time or things you could do differently to make life easier.

What Should Be on Your To-Don’t List? Think about those habits that aren’t helping you out. For example:

• “Don’t overcommit to social events.”
• “Don’t take on every favor someone asks.”
• “Don’t schedule meetings before 11:00 AM.”
• “Don’t skip lunch to keep working.”

Why Make One? The purpose of a “to-don’t” list is to help you stay mindful of the things that drain your time and energy. Unlike a daily to-do list, you only need to create it once and check back occasionally to remind yourself of what to avoid.

So, take a moment to make a list of the things you don’t want to do—your future self will thank you!