Achieving more by doing less
The not to do list
Open up any random magazine and chances are you will come across an article entitled ‘organize your life.’ I love these kinds of articles because although my life may look up to par on the outside; it can be complete and utter chaos on the inside.
Most organizational tips are straight forward (take notes, throw things out, keep a file drawer) but Timothy Ferriss’ theory is so refreshing, I have to share it with you. It’s called the Not To Do-list and this is how it works.
Set high goals
Think of where you’d like to be headed and think big. Living and working in New York in five years time for example, an unlimited account at Net-A-Porter, an annual income of three million… As long as the end result is clear, it’s easier to plan out your day-to-day tasks of getting there.
Do as little as possible
With everything you do, you have to question whether or not it is useful. “If this were to be the only thing I did today, will today have been a good day?” This helps you avoid getting caught up in what-if’s and working up upper lip sweat when things are not adding up to the bigger picture.
Make a Not To Do-list
Your To-Do list needs to be as short as possible. Only write down the things that are going to help achieve your goal. Next to your short TD-list, make a long Not To Do-list where you jot down everything you will not be doing. Trust me; saying no can be such a breath of fresh air.
cancel
This is the theory of the grand entrepreneur named Ricardo Semler. He starts off his day thinking of everything he can cancel or outsource that day. That way a lot more room is left in his agenda to do the things that really do matter.
don’t start off your day with emails
You arrive at the office, grab a cup of coffee and check your emails, right? Don’t do it. This allows other people to decide the rhythm of your entire day. Only do the tasks that you find important. You can read your emails during another part of your day where you have time available. Also, quit constantly checking your mail. Especially on your iPhone. This will take away from your concentration, you won’t always have your agenda on you, and you might have thought you had already answered a mail but realize much later that you didn’t. Don’t do it. It’s not nice for the person you’re corresponding with, and it’s definitely not nice for yourself.
Be unavailable
I find myself to be exceptionally well behaved when I answer a phone immediately or respond to someone’s email right away. Apparently this isn’t good for you since it takes you right out of your train of thought. If you feel guilty for not answering, you can always leave a message on your answering machine letting people know when you check your messages, and in case something is really urgent, send a text message.
I’m going to go and give this a try. Care to join me?
