Feb 4, 2026–I love making and keeping a “To Do” list. Little is more satisfying than changing a “to do” to “done.”
But I have discovered a more important list–a “Stop Doing” list.
This concept was formed while I was working in an administrative capacity. During a staffing transition, my secretary was also answering to another supervisor.
One day, while she was completing a task for me, the other boss asked her to work on a different project. Exasperated, my secretary said, fine, just tell me which task I should stop doing in order to do your project?
I loved this concept and immediately adopted it. When my schedule was crammed full of work, if anyone gave me another assignment, I would say, which of these other projects would you like me to stop doing?
It was not being insubordinate. It just used non-confrontational language to show that my time and attention were finite and those limits had been reached.
The simple idea of “not doing” a thing lowers stress and increases efficiency.
I’ve carried this concept over into my daily life. I now look at my schedule and actively decide what I need to STOP doing.
The filter is simply Return On Investment. Will the projected outcome be worth the input of time, energy, money, or any other limited resources? Almost always, the answer is “no.”
Reframing a task in that way quickly reveals where the focus needs to go in order to produce the most beneficial outcome.
To give you ideas on how this looks in real life, here are some things I have stopped doing:
Weedeating
No one notices or cares that your fence line is free of grass. I’ll go a step further and say to abandon all landscaping. I never could come to grips with the fact that people go to a store to buy dirt.
Balancing your checkbook
Just take your bank’s statement and write that number down. Has the bank ever been wrong?
Washing the car
Just scrape off the dirt and use it in your landscaping.
Making your bed
No one has ever judged me because the duvet isn’t turned down and the pillows you can’t use are not neatly stacked.
Arguing with people online
Have you ever changed anyone’s mind? Ever?
Sorting laundry
Despite lifelong admonishment from my mother, sisters, and wife, I’ve mixed colors and fabrics forever. First as a rebel. Then out of laziness. Now as a habit. My clothes are as clean as they need to be. Eventually they all come out the same shade, anyway.
Folding underwear
No one has ever said, your boxers are wrinkled. Even in ER.
Washing plates before putting them in the dishwasher
You know, there is a reason it is called a DISH WASHER.
Answering unknown callers
I get fatigued messing with Moribundians selling me dishwasher warranties. If I do accidentally pick up, I just hang up.
Writing and sending newsletters
No one reads them. You know it’s true, but you do it anyway. Same with Christmas cards, birth announcements, and graduations. The Hallmark aisle is always busy.
I stopped doing all these–and more–many years ago. With zero repercussions.
So here is one final item to place on your defunct “To Do” list–start your own “Stop Doing” list.