Learning Corner: The Stop-Doing List
Estimated Time to Complete: 20 to 25 minutes
Objective:
To free up time and energy by choosing what to stop doing, so the important work gets your best attention.
Materials Needed:
Your task list or project tracker
Last week's calendar
Three colors of pen or highlighter
Activity Steps:
1. List everything (5 minutes)
Write down every recurring task, meeting and report on your plate. Use last week's calendar to jog your memory.
2. Sort it (7 minutes)
Mark each item: green for work only you can do, yellow for work someone else could do, red for work that no longer adds much value.
3. Decide (8 minutes)
For each red item, decide to stop it or pause it for 30 days. For each yellow item, name who could own it and what they would need from you to take it on.
4. Tell people (5 minutes)
Draft a short note to the people affected. Explain what is changing, why, and when you will check back.
Key Takeaways:
Saying yes to one thing means saying no to something else.
A 30-day pause is a low-risk way to test whether work still matters.
Handing work off is also a way to grow someone else.
Reflection Prompt:
What is one thing you could stop this week that nobody would miss? What would you do with that time instead?
Want help bringing this to your team? Book a free 30-minute conversation with Tony.
