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Creating Your "Don't Do" List

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

WiFi PasswordLooking at the world in reverse, as I often naturally do, I see the productivity enhancement tool, the TO DO list, to help remember what to do for a day and prioritize the list. Overall I think we need to have a "Don't Do" list to refer to. It may be even more important in our lives to stay on track and even think what is really important. You might want to do an exercise of writing 5 to 10 things to "NOT DO."

  • Do not ignore meaningful people in your life
  • Do not get things out of balance
  • Do not forget to take care of your health
  • Do not forget that you do not have endless time
  • Do not overindulge in food or drink
  • Do not overthink things
  • Do not think you are the center of the universe
  • Do not overspend for something
  • Do not ignore your mental, emotional, spiritual development
  • Do not waste your life in excessive social media pursuits
  • Do not be untruthful to yourself

That should be a framework of examples for you. Almost like you want to keep that "Don't Do" list with you all the time.

Comments(30)

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Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Gary Woltal,

What a wonderful list to think about writing! I can see there are plenty on this list I should include on my list! Thanks for always putting things in perspective. Congratulations n a well deserved featured post!

Oct 16, 2015 09:10 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

This is a great don't do list from a "philosophical/life style" standpoint. When I trained agents I also often encouraged them to have a don't do list in addition to their to-do list so they wouldn't get bogged down with things that wasted time and provided very little compensation in the end.

Oct 17, 2015 05:17 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Gary, great list, I think do's and don'ts both have their place and should go hand in hand. 

Oct 17, 2015 08:11 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

That comic is fantastic. If I threatened my teenage daughters with that they'd be shoveling in the vegetables!

Oct 17, 2015 08:19 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Nice post - I'm intrigued by the words, "the world in reverse." Do you mean the outcome before the steps leading up?

Oct 17, 2015 11:18 AM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

     Hmmm...  strike the "To Do List" and the "Do It Now Poster", and replace them with a "Not To Do List" and "Don't Do It Now Poster".  Interesting concept!

Oct 17, 2015 11:23 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I'm big on To Do lists, but I like your "Don't Do" list too!

Oct 17, 2015 11:49 AM
Sandra Graves
Keller Williams Realty - Folsom, CA
Realtor

Great list. I've been working on "Do not overthink things."

Oct 17, 2015 02:05 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Burlington, MA
Metro Boston Homes For Sale

Gary Woltal great list.

And you are so right about balance and not to ignore mental, spiritual, emotional development.

For a successful person, this is very essential!

You can't do good in just one department by ignoring others.

That's not total success.

Oct 17, 2015 02:24 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Gary. You take on the world is always different. This is really good.

Oct 17, 2015 11:06 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Hey, Gary!

I included this post in today's "Last Week's Favorites".  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Oct 17, 2015 11:21 PM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

I DO NOT OVERSPEND...THEY JUST NEED TO PRINT MORE MONEY!  Love this list....and the comic.  Thanks for sharing Gary Woltal 

Oct 17, 2015 11:30 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I am glad I didnt miss your post, thanks to Patricia!  Happy Sunday!~

Oct 18, 2015 12:10 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Great list and I would add do not forget to have empathy for those you work with.

Oct 18, 2015 05:07 AM
Robert Hammerstein -
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Gary - Good stuff. Only other thing I did was change my wifi to "FBI Surveillance" ... But thats just me......

Oct 18, 2015 07:10 AM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®

I love it. Your don't do list looks pretty good to me. I think I'll just use yours. Why reinvent the wheel?!

Oct 18, 2015 07:37 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

And I would add to the "do not overthink things" to make sure you don't confuse that with thinking things through thoroughly and considering consequences, along with likely outcomes.

Oct 18, 2015 08:06 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

Having a Don't do List could be a constant reminder, like Don't waste the time you have.

Oct 18, 2015 11:14 AM
Joyce M. Marsh
Luxury Home Couture - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Homes & Design

I've bookmarked your list and plan on using this as a reminder.  Very good advice. Thank you. 

Dec 04, 2015 11:38 PM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

I agree Gary. We need a "don't do" list and we need to keep it handy. Let's see what can I add to the list?

Don't say one thing, but do something else!

Aug 29, 2016 04:42 AM