The “What Not to Do List” is more important than the “To Do List”

I’ve always been a big fan of the to-do list. In fact, since discovering the technique from a colleague about 10 years ago, I’ve taken many approaches its design and use. While I couldn’t live without the to-do list, I certainly haven’t perfected it.

I’ve tested dozens of web based to-do lists, but never really found one that suited my style. So, some time ago I developed a web based to-do list tool called TabLists.com. I use this tool because it’s extremely simple. That said, I still use paper lists.

But this post isn’t about to-do lists. It’s about not to do lists. Lately I’ve been overloaded with to-dos. I’ve either got to many lists or I’ve just taken on too many projects (the latter of course is true). So now it’s about prioritization. When I come to work tomorrow I’ve got to figure out what NOT to do first and focus on the single most important item first. No matter how hard it is, I’ve just got to get through it. It’s just too easy to get sucked into the unimportant. There are too many things on my lists that just don’t move the needle or don’t make a difference. At work and at home, some things have more impact than others. And when the lists get long, I’ve got to know what NOT to do before I can figure out what to do.

BTW, I’m a student of David Allen’s Getting Things Done philosophy, but not entirely. I really think he’s over-complicated it all. But, like all great wisdom, I’ve found that I’m best served by taking what works (for me) and leaving the rest.