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Make A To-Don’t List: The Productivity Hack That Helps You Focus and Get More Done

ByMarques Clark

You told yourself you weren’t going to do it again.
You were serious, too. You meant it this time. No more late-night scrolling. No more saying yes to things that drain you. No more snoozing your alarm, or gossiping, or procrastinating until stress makes you productive. And yet…here you are. Doing it again. Wondering why it’s so hard to stop.

It’s frustrating. You’re not trying to ruin your progress. But for some reason, you keep circling back to the same habits, the same people, the same situations, the same cycles.

You don’t need more willpower—you need more clarity. And that’s where a To-Don’t List changes the game.

Why We Keep Doing What We Said We’d Stop

Most of us don’t plan to fail. We just fail to plan for the things that throw us off track. We set goals but forget about the temptations, distractions, and mental patterns that usually derail us. It’s like deciding to eat clean, but keeping the junk food in the pantry. You’re setting yourself up for a fight…and losing wasn’t a lack of effort—it was a lack of strategy.

We don’t change just because we want to. We change because we remove what keeps pulling us backward.

The Real Problem Isn’t Your Dream—It’s Your Distractions

Think about this: if your goals matter that much, why do they keep getting pushed aside? It’s not because you’re lazy or unmotivated. It’s because you haven’t clearly decided what no longer deserves access to your time, energy, and focus.

You’re trying to build something new, while still dragging around the old.

Every “yes” costs something. And if you don’t know what you’re saying no to, you’ll end up saying yes to the wrong things without even realizing it.

The To-Don’t List

A To-Don’t List is exactly what it sounds like—a personal, intentional list of things you refuse to keep doing because they don’t serve where you’re going. It’s a boundary builder, a habit breaker, and a mindset shifter.

While your to-do list keeps you productive, your to-don’t list keeps you protected.

How to Make Your Own To-Don’t List

  1. Identify your repeat mistakes
    Think about what you’ve done in the past that consistently throws you off. What habits, people, apps, or decisions leave you drained, distracted, or disappointed?
  2. Write down your “no more”s
    Be specific. Not just “stop wasting time”—write “don’t scroll Instagram in bed.” Not just “be healthier”—write “don’t order takeout more than twice a week.”
  3. Limit the list to 5–10 items max
    This keeps it realistic and focused. You’re not trying to eliminate everything at once—just the patterns that keep pulling you back.
  4. Put the list where you can see it
    Your lock screen. Your planner. Your mirror. Remind yourself of what you’re not available for anymore.
  5. Review and update weekly
    As you grow, so will your list. New season, new standards.

Sample To-Don’t List

  • Don’t say yes out of guilt or fear.
  • Don’t scroll before doing morning goals.
  • Don’t check email during focus hours.
  • Don’t compare progress to someone else’s highlight reel.
  • Don’t skip meals just because you’re busy.
  • Don’t ignore red flags—gut feelings are data.

How to Stick to Your To-Don’t List

  • Tell someone —Accountability isn’t weakness; it’s wisdom.
  • Replace the behavior —Don’t just cut it out—swap it with something better.
  • Visual reminders —Sticky notes. Reminders on your phone. Whatever it takes.
  • Grace, not guilt —If you slip, don’t spiral. Reset and keep moving.
  • Track the wins —Notice when the list helps you. That’s fuel.

Before You Keep Spinning in Circles
Think of a phone with too many apps running in the background. It starts overheating. Slows down. Crashes. It’s not broken—it’s just overloaded.

That’s your life without a to-don’t list. Too many open tabs draining your energy.

Success isn’t just about doing more. It’s about knowing what to never do again.

Decide what you’re done with—and watch what opens up.

Notes

“Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” – Matthew 5:37

“Everything is permissible—but not everything is beneficial.” – 1 Corinthians 10:23

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