How to Make a Not “to do” List

Do you get lost in the sea of Post-it® notes and lists of things you want to remember? I have all sorts of lists. One for the appointments for the month including: medical appointments for the family, quarterly home repairs and upkeep, newsletter ideas, and possible projects. Then there is the shopping list, basic reminder list, calls to return list, and so on.

Sounds like lots of lists doesn’t it?

Keeping up with all the items on all the lists is challenging and time-consuming. My solution is to basically outline each week. I gather all my lists and prepare to make another list! I first create headings, e.g. medical, garden, repairs, calls. Next, I look at the tasks in each “big picture” list and consider what is necessary to address in the week ahead. I then prioritize those necessary items. Yes, it is necessary to do laundry. But how does it rank against transplanting that dying bush, or organizing the coat closet by season?

At that point, I can get rid of some of the excess Post-it notes that I’ve managed to consolidate.

Prioritizing is where some people foil themselves. It can be easy to assign a lower priority to the tedious, or less fun, items – even when they are the ones that need doing. (I know that I, personally, prefer to dress in my bedroom, not in front of the dryer.)

Have you considered a Not To Do list? Consider all those items that you think you “ought” to do, like alphabetizing your pantry, yet have no relevance to your current goals and lifestyle. Put them all on one big Not To Do list. Then put the list away so that its contents cannot distract you. Look the list over every few months. Some items may gain enough importance to move to your To Do list, and that’s when you will actually do them.

In the meantime, for those tasks that you do not enjoy yet acknowledge need doing, try working on them in short bursts, alternating them with more enjoyable items, or set up a reward for when you can cross it off your list.

-Sydney Metrick