Ever feel like your to-do list just keeps growing, no matter how much you check off? You start the week feeling ambitious, but by Friday, you’re drained, wondering where all the time went.
Yeah, same.
That’s when I tried making a Not-To-Do List — and it made a surprising difference.
Turns out, what you don’t do is just as important as what you do. Every pointless meeting, every mindless Instagram scroll, every “yes” to someone else’s priorities quietly steals time and energy.
Bruce Lee famously said:
“It is not daily increase but daily decrease, hack away the unessential.”
At first, saying no felt uncomfortable. But over time, I realized that every “no” opened up space for something better — more focused work, deeper relationships, and room to breathe.
So, let’s talk about building a Not-To-Do List. It’s a simple tool to help you avoid what drags you down, so you can focus on what truly matters.
We’re all pretty good at adding things to our to-do lists. But what if the real secret to getting more done is doing less?
A Not-To-Do List isn’t just about avoiding bad habits. It’s about protecting your focus, energy, and time for the things that actually matter. It’s like decluttering your brain.
Here’s why it works:
Every extra task, random meeting, or notification drags you away from what actually matters. When you decide ahead of time what you won’t do, it’s easier to stay on track.
Tim Ferriss says:
“What you don’t do determines what you can do.”
Imagine how much more you could accomplish if you stopped checking your phone every 10 minutes.
Do you get tired just deciding what to eat for dinner? That’s decision fatigue — and it happens all day long.
A Not-To-Do List helps by cutting out choices you don’t need to make, so you save your energy for what actually matters.
Steve Jobs wore the same outfit every day to avoid wasting mental energy. You don’t need a black turtleneck — just a few “never do this” rules can make a big difference.
Saying no is hard. But when it’s written down as a rule, it gets easier. Suddenly, declining that random Meeting invite feels less awkward — you’re just sticking to your Not-To-Do List.
Warren Buffett once said:
“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”
Saying no to what doesn’t matter makes more room for what does.
Ofcourse, It’s easier said than done, but the more you practice, the easier it gets — and the benefits are worth it.
Let’s get practical. A Not-To-Do List works best when it’s tailored to your life.But sometimes, it helps to see real examples. Here are a few from my own list that made a big difference for me..
A few years ago, I quit reading the news. It felt weird at first, but over time, I felt calmer and more focused. Here’s why.
Rolf Dobelli puts it best:
“News is to the mind what sugar is to the body.”
More News ≠ More Understanding
Knowing more headlines doesn’t mean you understand the world better. Real insight comes from deep, focused learning — not endless scrolling.
“If news is important, it will find you.”
I still stay informed — but on my terms.
The Result: A Calmer Mind
Without the noise, I focus on what I can control. If quitting the news feels too much, try a one-week break. You might not go back.
In the corporate world, Meetings are sneaky time thieves. Especially the ones with no agenda or clear purpose.
Now, I quickly check every meeting invite:
If the answers are “no,” I politely decline or ask for offline updates. It’s saved me hours each week.
But II get it — not everyone can skip meetings. And that’s okay. The goal isn’t to avoid them all, but to challenge them a little more.
Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, suggests this simple rule:
“If you want to improve your productivity, start by refusing all meetings without a clear agenda.”
Just asking for an agenda makes meetings more purposeful. Sometimes, that question alone makes people realize the meeting isn’t needed.
So whether you can decline outright or just push for more clarity, every step helps. Your time is valuable — treat it that way.
Having notifications turned on is like handing your attention to random apps. It shatters your focus and traps you in reaction mode all day. My rule is simple. From 9am to 7pm:
If something’s truly urgent, people can call. Otherwise, I check apps on my schedule — not whenever they buzz.
I’m big on fitness, and I realized that eating junk completely messes with my energy, sleep, and mood.
My rule: Eat natural. Avoid factory-made food. It’s not about perfection, but about stacking the odds in my favor. And honestly, after a while, whole foods taste better anyway.
There are many other in my no-to-do list, but these are top 4, which made the most impact. I swear by the Pareto principle - 80/20 rule. I don’t try to be perfect — if I stick to these rules 80% of the time, I know I’m on track.”
Ready to make your own Not-To-Do List? It’s easier than you think. The point isn’t to list every bad habit — just catch the few things that drain your energy or pull you off track.
Here’s how to get started:
Think back over the past few weeks. When did you feel tired, stressed, or frustrated? What tasks or habits drained your energy but didn’t give much back?
Ask yourself:
Not everything that eats up your time feels bad in the moment. Scrolling social media or binge-watching YouTube can feel relaxing — until you realize you lost two hours.
Be honest with yourself:
The goal isn’t to banish all distractions, but to notice where your time leaks.
Once you’ve spotted the patterns, turn them into clear, actionable rules. They don’t have to be extreme. Even small tweaks make a big difference over time.
For example:
Or:
Simple, specific rules are easier to follow.
You don’t need a perfect list right away. Start with 3–4 rules that feel most impactful. Stick with them for a few weeks, see how you feel, and adjust as needed. Remember: This isn’t about perfection. Even following your Not-To-Do List 80% of the time can massively improve your focus and energy.
As James Clear says:
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you want to become.”
Every time you avoid a distraction, you’re casting a vote for a more focused, intentional version of yourself.