🗒️ Why You Should Make A “To Don’t” List

GM Life Hackers,

This is 1000 Life Hacks, the daily newsletter that helps you improve your life each and every day… even if that’s just a little bit. 🥳

What you’ll learn today:

• 🧠 Finish tasks with the Zeigarnik Effect

• 💪 The 90-90-1 Rule

• 🗒️ Why You Should Make A “To Don’t” List

• 💻 7 Helpful links

Read time: 2.5 minutes

YOUR DAILY HACKS 💡

359. Finish tasks with the Zeigarnik Effect 🧠

Got a pile of chores you’re avoiding like the plague? Here’s a hack: Just start. That’s all you need to do!

The moment you begin something, your brain kicks in with a magic psychological trick called the Zeigarnik Effect.

The Zeigarnik Effect, tricks the brain into making unfinished tasks more memorable, helping you stay organized and keep track of what needs attention.

Even if you don’t finish it right away. Once you’ve started, the psychological tension of leaving it incomplete can push you to return to it sooner.

Whether it’s folding laundry or tackling that messy desk, JUST START, and your brain will help you power through it.

360. The 90-90-1 Rule 💪

Struggling to make progress on your goals? Try the 90-90-1 rule.

For the next 90 days, commit to spending the first 90 minutes of your day on your most important goal.

Why the first 90 minutes? Because that’s when your mind is freshest, your willpower is strongest, and you’re least likely to be bogged down by distractions.

It’s prime time for productivity!

When you consistently dedicate that focused time each day, you’ll start to see momentum build.

The small, consistent steps you take will add up to big results. Plus, by knocking out your top priority early in the day, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that boosts your mood and sets the tone for the rest of your day.

361. Why You Should Make A “To Don’t” List 🗒️

We all love a good “to-do” list—it’s a classic productivity tool. But what if you flipped the script and made a “to don’t” list instead?

Write down all the activities, habits, and distractions that don’t serve you.

These are the things that drain your energy, eat up your time, or steer you off course from achieving your goals.

By being mindful of what you shouldn’t be doing, you can steer clear of these pitfalls and create more space for what truly matters.

Here’s an example of things that could be on your “To Don’t” List:

• Don’t start your day by checking social media

• Don’t say yes to every request

• Don’t work without breaks

• Don’t multitask on important projects

• Don’t procrastinate on small tasks

• Don’t compare yourself to others

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TODAY’S HELPFUL LINKS 🔗

1. Lessons from Almost Dying: How to Appreciate the Everyday Awesome (LINK)

2. Should You Shower at Morning or Night? Here’s What the Experts Say (LINK)

3. All the Gardening Tasks You Should Do in September (LINK)

4. 9 Low-Impact Exercises For All Fitness Levels (LINK)

5. CDC Reports 9 Deaths and 57 Hospitalizations Linked to Deli Meat Recall (LINK)

6. What Happen to Your Body When You Stop Drinking Alcohol (LINK)

7. Healthy Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Day (LINK)

PIC OF THE DAY 📸

That’s all for today. I hope your day is at least a little bit better after reading this 😊.

BONUS MOTIVATION 💪

A smart person knows what to say.

A wise person knows whether or not to say it.