The famous Father of Modern Management, Peter. F. Drucker, who was also my professor, said businesses are fairly good at adopting new practices, but they’re terrible at terminating the old.

His remedy: systematically abandon those products and processes that are obsolete, before they constitute a huge cash drain and management distraction.

The same good advice applies to individuals.

All of us have to-do lists of some kind, even if they are just a couple of entries in our planners or calendars. It’s fairly clear that these items represent things we want to do and goals we want to accomplish.

No problem, but have you ever considered developing a Don't Do list?

From a fitness standpoint, you could enter: “Don’t eat dessert,” or “No sweets.”

Another fitness tip, which is also an effective time management concept, is to “Stop taking calls, sitting down.”

You’d be amazed how much shorter you make conversations when you have them standing up. Also, your blood circulates, and your muscle tone improves.

If you’re in the habit of trying to miss traffic, you might chide yourself by saying, “Stop leaving work, early!”

Interpersonal communication and diplomacy could be improved: “Stop talking about yourself!”

I think you can see the potential of such a device.

Sometimes we’re motivated by positives, but we’re also motivated by negativity. Corrections and tiny admonishments can get our attention, when upbeat to-do lists cannot.

Use the full spectrum of motivation when you plan your day, and remember, getting more done sometimes necessitates abandoning what isn’t working!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman
www.customersatisfaction.com