Helpful Tips
Make a "NOT TO DO LIST" and become more productive.

Just Don't Do It!
by Irene Mendoza

Most organizational tips come with the proverbial "TO DO LIST" to somehow help us prioritize , remember, and get things done fast. The belief is that if we carry out all the tasks in the list we will feel satisfied and fulfilled that we have carried out all the tasks we planned. Most of the time, it does work out that way. However, sometimes our "TO DO LIST" can bring us even further away from accomplishing our end goals. We tend to put too many tasks in our "TO DO LIST" that ironically makes us even less productive. We feel overwhelmed with the long list of task. We become out of focus that we divert our energy and attention away from the real important stuff, and later feel inadequate if we couldn't complete all the tasks in our list.

So why not consider a "NOT TO DO LIST" instead? This would be your list of things to remember "not to do". That is, start doing only the things that can give greater results at the end.

How do you know which task to put in your "NOT TO DO LIST" ? First, start with your current "TO DO LIST" and slowly weed out tasks that really should belong to your "NOT TO DO LIST". I use the rule of the 3 Ds. Any task that can be Disqualified, Delegated, and Disengaged ought to be in the "NOT TO DO LIST" . Below are the criteria I use for the 3 Ds:

1. Disqualify

Ask the following to know if the task is worth doing or should be disqualified:

• Does it really add value to my business?
• Will it generate significant positive impact toward my particular goal?

Be honest and truthfully evaluate the task. If your answer is “NO”, put the task on top of your "NOT TO DO LIST" .

2. Delegate

This was a big issue for me … because I used to feel that I am a better programmer, a better designer and a better marketer than anybody else I meet. Of course, you and I know that is simply not possible. I may be good, but someone will always be better and may be able to do the task faster.

• Can someone else do the task in less time with less effort and better results?
• Is the task repetitive?
• Can the process in completing the task be improved so that it will be easy to train someone to do it?

If your answer is “Yes”, then you have to pass the task to someone. Delegating the task to another person who is accountable, focused, and passionate to the job can produce a higher quality result. Remember that we excel on things we love to do.

3. Disengage

Disengage from distractions. Yes, distractions are not tasks, but we welcome them regularly that they become our own bad habit. I am talking about long personal phone calls, internet surfing, unannounced visits, or even cleaning the house (if you are in a home office). You know that it is a distraction when after engaging to it you feel that "you could have done something else other than…"
Put those distractions on your "NOT TO DO LIST", and look at it before you pick up that personal call from a chatty friend.

The point is that you have to make wise investment of your time and effort on the things you want to do and want to become. I always keep in mind what Paul Orfalea (Kinko’s founder) wrote in his book (Copy This!), "Being constantly busy means you are too wedded to the past. When you’re that busy, you can’t see the present, and forget about the future."

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Copyright © 2008 by Irene Mendoza. Send request to re-use this article to irene@vianetwebdesign.com .

Its Back to School!

• Just Don't Do It!
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• Take A LoOK! by Liza

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by: Liza

The Don't Quit Poem

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
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