Here is something I landed on a few months ago. I can’t remember where I first heard the idea.
Every day I start with a list of things I need to do. I’ve also started a list of things I will not do. These are tasks or distractions that I find sabotage my time or don’t add anything to my work day. These are not bad things. In many cases they are fun and interesting. And yet they keep me from my core purpose. Some examples include: compulsive email checking, unimportant mailing lists, Twitter, personal email, and Google Reader (RSS feeds and blog reading).
There is something magical about being deliberate about the things that I will not do. I’ve found it adds more time to my work day and brings more satisfaction at the end.
What is on your “Not To Do List” for today?
May 27, 2010 at 11:29 am
Great post, John! Just read a very similar section last night in Seth Godin’s Linchpin. Feel the white space in your day. Stop scurrying on things that don’t matter. It’s not easy, though.