If you’re like most people, you probably have a to-do list, and you use it to help you focus on getting things done.
- If you don’t have it, you might want to make one, as it brings plenty of psychological benefits.
Create a not-to-do list
- This list compliments the to-do list incredibly well, and it might be even more important.
- So if you want to get fit, you shouldn’t only exercise.
- You probably want to avoid eating donuts and McDonalds as well.
- If you want to wake up early in the morning, you shouldn’t just set an alarm.
- You should also avoid any stimulating activities and bright lights before bed.
- If you want to ace your next exam, you shouldn’t just study.
- You should also avoid playing video games and watching Netflix.
What you choose not to do, sometimes matters more than what you decide to do.
- By subtracting from one behavior, you’re actually adding to another one.
- You’re creating an empty space that needs to get filled in some shape or form.
And by limiting certain activities, you’re opening up an opportunity to fully focus on the area that’s most important.
Re-source: Restriction
Now some might say that being limited is bad, and that having total freedom is the way to go.
- Sure, not everyone has the opportunity to freely choose when and how to do something.
- But there’s a downside that comes with having too much freedom of choice.
When we’re free to do anything, we often end up doing nothing, or we go for the easiest option we can pick.
- If you had to choose every single day between studying, working, watching TV or playing video games, which would you choose?
- That’s because when you have the freedom to do so, you’ll choose the thing that doesn’t require as much effort.
Now if you have limitations and you aren’t able to do whatever you feel like, choosing the more difficult option becomes much easier.
- You don’t have to use as much willpower to start working or studying, because those are your only two options.
- Plus you don’t have to resist any other activities that could tempt you.
Sometimes we shouldn’t just limit our “bad” behaviors, but our positive behaviors as well.
- For example, practicing the piano could be considered a good habit. But when you have other obligations, other things that are more important in the moment, then the piano is nothing more than a distraction.
- It’s no better than sitting on the couch in front of the TV.
- Both are taking away from the main thing you should be doing.
- This is why on certain occasions, you want to add some of your good habits to the not-to-do list as well.
However there’s one thing that should never end up on your not-to-do list.
- And that is to learn something new every day.
craving and resource from Better Than Yesterday – The Importance Of The Not-To-Do List