The hard work of no work
Why you need a not-to-do list
To combat stereotypes of its citizens as lazy people who like to stay in bed, Montenegro hosts an annual Laziest Citizen contest. Whoever stays in bed the longest wins.
Fortunately for the contestants, they recently enacted a new rule: “Earlier we had a rule that there was no getting up, not even going to the toilet. . . . But since 2021, we introduced the innovation that every eight hours they can take a 15-minute break to go to the toilet.”
There are at least three issues with this:
Bathroom breaks should not be called an “innovation.”
I don’t want to think about this, but what were those contests like before that innovation?
Does the Laziest Citizen contest actually change the stereotype or just reinforce it?
All that said, I do believe that laziness gets a bad rap. Used effectively, laziness—a drive to do less—can help you find ways to work smarter, not harder.
Strategic laziness is key to unlocking more impact at work and in life.
The problem with your to-do list
If you’re reading this newsletter, I’m guessing you’re not lazy. You’re likely the opposite. Your to-do list is probably endless.
It can be hard to keep focused on what’s most important with so many to-dos and harder still to find space for much-needed breaks.
That’s why deciding what you shouldn’t be doing each week is just as important as knowing what you should be doing.
How to write a not-to-do list
Set aside a few minutes at the beginning of your week to:
Write out a short to-do list of the most important tasks you need to do.
Then write out a really long list of everything important —yes, important—that you’re consciously choosing not to do that week.
Refer to both of your lists throughout the week before taking on anything new.
Why not-to-do lists work
Work, rather annoyingly, always finds ways to fill our time. Finish one task, move on to the next. It’s never-ending when you have an endless to-do list.
My not-to-do list feels like it gives me permission not to start doing more when I'm done so I can take a much-needed break.
It also helps me keep focused and avoid the distractions I decided not to do.
Breaks might feel like a waste of time, but they keep us productive, and with space comes clarity. (Think of how many shower-time epiphanies you’ve likely had.)
Some may call this laziness. I call it strategic.
Not doing is harder than you think
The competition in Montenegro keeps medical professionals on-site to monitor contestants’ vitals. Necessary when the record is over 30 days straight lying down!
In many ways, not doing at work is harder than doing.
But the reward is worth the non-effort.
And please, please, please take your bathroom breaks as needed.
Try it yourself: Open up your to-do list for the week and add a long list of everything you are consciously deciding not to do before Friday.
When you finish your to-dos, try not doing more and see what happens.
Have a great week.
😂 P.S. A terrible joke, try not to laugh…
Few people know this, but I once entered a laziness competition and placed first.
I got atrophy.
