Why you should start using 'to-don't' lists

The power of To Don't lists

Have you ever glanced at a book in a bookstore and regretted not buying it? That happened to me in the wonderful Copenhagen Design Museum (when the world was a different place), and I’ve kicked myself ever since.

The thing that caught my eye was in a book enticingly called “Don’t read this book – time management for creative people” by Donald Roos, and the topic was the power of creating To Don’t lists.

At the end of each day I scribble down a To Do list for the next day, and by mid-morning it’s usually expanded to unrealistic proportions or completely gone to pot. But I hadn’t realised the power that creating a To Don’t list would have on productivity and clarity of thinking.

Stopping doing things frees-up time, makes you feel less stressed about not doing them (because you’ve made a deliberate choice), and keeps you focused on what’s important.

My list for this week is:

1. Not going out unless it’s absolutely necessary

2. Not looking at social media more than once per day and for more than half an hour

3. Not checking news more than twice a day; lunchtime and evenings are enough at the moment

4. Not sitting idle – find something useful and productive to do

5. Not looking for football news.

What would make your list?

https://todont.co/

https://www.bureaudonald.com/

http://www.designmuseum.dk/