7/14/2025
Have you ever been up against a major deadline, knowing you have to focus and surge all of your energy toward a goal, only to find yourself distracted by twenty other seemingly urgent things floating around your brain? I sure have. You can find yourself pulled down rabbit trails toward other thoughts or tasks that suddenly manifest at the most inconvenient time.
This often only adds to the stress of the moment. Whether you’re focused on a work project, a college assignment, or a major family event, you need mental clarity, not distraction! Years ago, during one such instance, I stumbled on a strategy for managing distractions that I’ve found myself returning to again and again.
Enter, the “Not To-Do” List. On one side of the paper, write down what you absolutely, positively MUST DO to accomplish your goal. On the other side of the paper, write all the things swimming around in your head that are distractions. Truly random things might show up on this list and that’s fine. Just throw them down there.
The goal is to give your brain permission to hit “pause” on those things and to set up some boundaries for yourself. If something on your “Not To-Do” list pops into your mind while you’re working on your goal, just remind yourself that you are NOT TO DO that thing right now and you’ll get to it later. Then resume whichever task you’re currently working on.
I encourage you to give it a try if this is a situation you encounter. It’s a way to improve focus and work with intentionality, organization, and focus when you really need it.
Page updated
Report abuse