The Return of the To-Don’t List (Fresh from the Building Site…)

The Return of the To-Don’t List (Fresh from the Building Site…)

Now, I have shared the magic of the To-Don’t List before — it had its moment in one of my newsletters a while back, full of wit and wisdom. But after recently supporting my husband with a major building project at Tawnamoor Rural Retreats, I was reminded — loud and clear — why this concept is still as relevant as ever.

We’ve just been in the thick of creating a brand new training and event space on-site, as well as installing private hot tubs and a bookable sauna for guests. (In fact, if all goes to plan, the sauna should be finished today — cue happy dance.)

While the work itself was exciting and full of purpose, the process? Let’s just say it tested every part of my productivity system. It reminded me how easy it is to get swept up in busyness… and how vital it is to focus only on the things that truly matter.

Because we all know the feeling: a full day of ticking off minor tasks, rearranging to-do lists, and answering non-urgent emails — only to end up wondering where the time went and why nothing significant got done.

Which brings me back to one of my favourite tools: The To-Don’t List.

Wait — What’s a To-Don’t List Again?

It’s exactly what it sounds like — a list of things you are not going to spend time on.

It’s your own personal boundaries-in-action. Not about being lazy, and definitely not about avoiding the important stuff — it’s about creating space for what actually moves the needle. It’s a deliberate step away from fluff, distraction, and decision fatigue.

Why the To-Don’t List Matters!

Whether you’re deep in a building project, leading a team, or just trying to get through a week with your brain still intact, this tool can be a game-changer. Here’s why:

• Clarity cuts through chaos – When things are flying at you from all angles, the To-Don’t List helps you hold the line.
• Your energy has limits – When you’re spread thin, even small distractions add up.
• Focus creates progress – You can’t do it all — but you can do what matters most.

While supporting Tawnamoor’s new additions, it became very clear that the real challenge wasn’t the build itself — it was dodging the distractions that wanted to pull me into a hundred directions at once.

Some To-Don’ts That Might Hit Home

Let’s be honest, we’ve all done these — maybe even this week:

• Don’t spend 45 minutes deciding whether your social post needs a clever pun or not. Just post the thing.
• Don’t say yes to a meeting just because it’s in your diary. Check if it’s still relevant — then choose wisely.
• Don’t tweak the spacing on your website for an hour. Arial will not file a complaint.
• Don’t check your inbox every 15 minutes hoping something inspiring will appear. It won’t.
• Don’t call “scrolling through inspirational quotes” business planning. It’s not.
• Don’t re-write a task list five times. Do the work instead.
• Don’t colour-code your bookshelf unless it’s genuinely your version of self-care.

The first step is seeing these habits for what they are — then deciding to stop feeding them.

How to Build Your Own To-Don’t List

Simple, but powerful:

1. Reflect – What’s not serving you? What’s draining but doesn’t deliver?
2. Spot your distractions – The ones that pop up every day and steal your time before you realise it.
3. Draw the line – Set boundaries. Say no. And stick to it.

My To-Don’t List This Week (Inspired by Building Sites and Hot Tubs)

Here’s what’s on mine right now:

• Don’t check emails constantly — I’m sticking to three scheduled times per day.
• Don’t say yes to things I don’t have the bandwidth for — even if they sound fun.
• Don’t let one small delay throw off my whole day — it’s just a wobble, not a derailment.
• Don’t micromanage — especially when I’ve got great people around me who know exactly what they’re doing.

What You Gain with a To-Don’t List

This isn’t about doing less just for the sake of it. It’s about:

• Creating room for strategic work
• Reclaiming your mental bandwidth
• Feeling less overwhelmed and more intentional
• Actually getting the big things done (and enjoying them)

Think of it as spring cleaning for your calendar.

I challenge you to create your own To-Don’t List this week. Jot down three things that need to go — habits, tasks, distractions, or expectations.

And if you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear them. Let’s normalise doing less of what doesn’t serve us, so we can give our full attention to the things that do.

Here’s to focusing on what really matters — whether that’s growing a business, creating beautiful spaces, or just enjoying a cup of tea without your phone buzzing.
#ToDontList #WorkSmarterNotHarder #TawnamoorRuralRetreats #BusinessCoaching #TimeWellSpent #StrategicFocus