Recently I read this article by Allison Shields on creating a “don’t do” list to build efficiencies into a law practice and also life in general. This intrigued me.

A Don’t-Do could be an incredibly useful tool for managing a busy home. It boils down to being able to delegate and say, well - “NO”.

I have the traditional To-Do list which I try to put together daily. But how often do I get distracted? At the end of the day I can only cross half the stuff off, if I’m lucky.

In my life, the distractions usually involve doing something that I hadn’t planned on doing like washing #1’s favorite shirt because he “neeeeeds” it for tomorrow, or putting away toys that #3 and #4 have left in the kitchen. Occasionally, I am distracted by other more official items, like volunteering for some event or job because no one else has stepped up to the plate.

Whatever the distraction, a “don’t do” combined with a “to-do” list might just keep me on track. Maybe it would go something like this:

Thursday Don’t Do’s

• Laundry (save for Friday)
• Phone calls (make them on Saturday afternoon)
• Sweeping the floor (delegate to #2)
• Take trash out (ah, yes, the husband)
• Last minute volunteer (not today, will plan for next week)

You get the picture.

Let me know if you try this, and if it works for you.