What Will You Stop Doing?

Make a Stop-Doing List

I first read about a "stop-doing list" or a "not-to-do list" in Tim Ferris's book, the 4 Hour Work Week.  Recently, Danielle LaPorte of White Hot Truth published her own list (inspired by Jim Collins', author of Good to Great.)  The idea of a stop-doing list is to eliminate mindless, meaningless, unproductive activities from your life so you can focus on those that really matter (like spending more time with your family and friends) or help you reach your goals and dreams (like spending more time reading or researching).  Doesn't it make sense to first de-clutter in order to clear space for more meaningful activities in your life?

If you have trouble coming up with a list of things you should stop doing, start with your to-do list.  Over the next few weeks before you tackle an item on your to-do list, ask yourself if it will have a positive impact on your life or add value.  In fact, ask yourself this when you come upon any activity during your day.  A half an hour creeping on facebook could add value to your day by giving you some much needed down-time, or it could mean a complete waste of time (aka procrastination).

Here is my stop-doing list...what is on yours?

1. I will stop checking my blackberry 1 million times a day. (Rude, completely unnecessary, and bad for your mental health and relationships)

2. I will stop giving in to the chocolate monster that leers at me every day at 3pm during the work week. (Perhaps I should realistically insert "try to" before "stop" in this sentence)

3. I will stop subscribing to emails that clutter up my inbox and that I inevitably end up deleting without reading.

4.  I will stop spending mindlessly.  (Ever wonder where all that cash in your wallet went?)

5.  I will stop telling myself why something won't work/happen/be a success and start telling myself why it will!

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Technorati Tags: Daniella LaPorte, Four Hour Work Week, Good to Great, Jim Collins, Not-To-Do List, Stop Doing List, Tim Ferris, WhiteHotTruth