Create a "Don't" List

A "to do" list contains things to do... to move forward. A "don't" list contains things to STOP doing... not get weighed down by your bad habits. Here are some things to put on your "don't" list:

1. DON'T spend time on mindless activities. Delete the Candy Crush app! Don't binge watch on an entire season of Game of Thrones over the weekend! Stop checking Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter every 30 minutes. You know these activities suck hours out of your day and they're just ways for you to procrastinate from doing what you should be doing.
2. DON'T create temptations. If you're trying to eat healthy, don't have junk food in the pantry. If you're tempted to be a couch potato after work, pick certain days to not even walk into the TV room and schedule an activity with a friend. You'd like to think you have the willpower to resist, but you don't. It's easier to not tempt yourself.
3. DON'T start an activity that will cut into your sleep time. You just bought the latest blockbuster movie or the new book by your favorite author. Don't start it shortly before you need to go to bed. You'll become engrossed in it and will stay up way too late; you'll end up tired and miserable the next day.
4. DON'T hang around people who make you feel bad. Pick friends who make you feel happy or inspire you to be a better person. If they don't, they're not really friends. You may think it's better spending time with them than being alone. But there is an opportunity cost associated with that. You're not spending that time to meet new people who could become real friends - people who will make you happy.
5. DON'T react negatively. When something doesn't go as expected (bumping into something), your instinct is to react negatively ("damn, why did this had to happen?!"). This never makes a situation better. Instead, think about how you can prevent this situation in the future, "I should move that chair over a little so I have more room to walk by my desk."

Create a "don't" list to remind you of things not to do. As you stop doing these things, you'll feel as if a burden has been lifted. You'll have more time to do meaningful things and feel motivated to do things on your "to do" list.

Annie Yoshida is a Quality Manager with interests in applying IT and quality principles and standards to improve processes.