237: Why Successful Entrepreneurs Need a 'Not-To-Do' List (And How to Create Yours)

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Why Successful Entrepreneurs Need a 'Not-To-Do' List (And How to Create Yours)

Why successful entrepreneurs need a not-to-do list to stop wasting time on tasks that don't move the needle. Cindy Gordon breaks down how to create a not-to-do list that protects your time and energy from business time wasters.

In this episode of The Overwhelmed Entrepreneur, business coach Cindy Gordon reveals why your to-do list might be sabotaging your business growth and teaches you the exact Reality Check Method for identifying tasks to eliminate from your business.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why your to-do list might be keeping you busy but not productive
• The Reality Check Method for creating a not-to-do list for business owners
• Three questions to identify entrepreneur time wasters in your schedule
• How to eliminate, automate, or delegate low-value tasks
• What successful entrepreneurs don't do (and why it matters for your growth)

Perfect for: Overwhelmed entrepreneurs and small business owners who are working long hours but not seeing results, especially those who struggle to prioritize what actually moves the needle in their business.

Episode Highlights: "When everything on your to-do list feels urgent, your not-to-do list becomes your most powerful productivity tool."

"Successful entrepreneurs don't just focus on what they need to do, they're crystal clear about what they need to STOP doing."

"You're exhausted from doing a hundred things that don't matter while the three things that would transform your business stay on the back burner."

Resources mentioned:

• The Reality Check Method at ExclusivelyCindy.com
• The Overwhelm Cure framework
• Weekly productivity tips (link in show notes)
• Instagram: @exclusivelycindy

Take Action: Ready to stop wasting time on tasks that don't move your business forward? Create your not-to-do list today using the three-question framework from this episode. For the complete Overwhelm Cure system that helps you identify what to eliminate from your business, visit ExclusivelyCindy.com.

🎯 You don't have to figure this out alone! The Growth Collective is your $1/day business support community with weekly office hours, strategic frameworks, and entrepreneurs who get it. Less than your coffee, more than a mastermind. Details at https://exclusivelycindy.thrivecart.com/the-growth-collective/

💡 Don't forget to subscribe for more quick productivity tips for overwhelmed business owners and female entrepreneurs!

💌 Join 1,400+ entrepreneurs getting exclusive overwhelm solutions and productivity strategies straight to their inbox - sign up now! https://cindygordon.myflodesk.com/countmein

Connect with Cindy Gordon - Reality Check Method Coach for Overwhelmed Entrepreneurs:

• Website: ExclusivelyCindy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exclusivelycindy/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cindygordon

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
I'm gonna guess that you areprobably wasting at least 30% of
your time on tasks that don'tactually move your business
forward.
I know that sounds harsh, butstick with me because what I'm
about to share could be theproductivity breakthrough that
you've been searching for.
Hi, I'm Cindy Gordon, aself-made entrepreneur, busy mom
and execution coach.

(00:21):
I built and sold multipledigital businesses ranging from
five to six figure successes,and i've learned that successful
entrepreneurs don't just focuson what they need to do.
They are crystal clear aboutwhat they need to stop doing.
So when it comes to managingyour time and priorities in both
life and business, I get it.
And I've been there, and thenext six minutes I'm breaking

(00:43):
down exactly why you need a notto-do list as an entrepreneur
and how to create one thatactually protects your time and
energy.
If you would like to get tipsand tricks plus weekly
productivity strategies, makesure that you are on my email
list.
There is a link in the shownotes to sign up.
Here's what I've noticed with somany entrepreneurs that I work

(01:05):
with.
You have endless to-do lists,color-coded planners,
productivity apps, sticky noteseverywhere, but somehow you're
still overwhelmed, still behind,and still not making the
progress you want in yourbusiness.
It's not because you're notworking hard enough.
It's because your to-do list isfilled with tasks that waste

(01:27):
your time as a business owner.
Tasks that feel productive, butdon't actually move the needle
in your business.
These tasks, they keep you busy,but not profitable.
Tasks that someone else probablycould be doing or shouldn't be
done at all.
When everything on your to-dolist feels urgent, you need a

(01:49):
not to-do list to reveal what'sactually not urgent.
We are wired to equate busynesswith productivity.
Your brain gets a little hit ofdopamine every time you check
something off a list, even ifthat thing doesn't matter at
all.
So you end up prioritizing tasksbased on how good they'll feel
to complete and not whether theyactually grow your business.

(02:11):
Plus, as entrepreneurs, we oftenfall into the trap of thinking
we need to do everything byourselves.
We convince ourselves that tasksare urgent when they're really
just familiar.
We stay in our comfort zone ofadmin work because it feels
safer than the strategic needlemoving work that actually
creates results.

(02:32):
The result of this, you'reexhausted from doing 100 things
that didn't matter while thethree things that would
transform your business stay onthe back burner.
So let's fix this with a realitycheck approach to creating your
not to-do list.
This is rooted in my realitycheck method, and it works
because it forces you to seewhat's actually happening, not

(02:54):
what you wish was happening.
Start with a brain dom ofeverything you did last week.
Not what you planned to do, butwhat you actually spent time on.
Write it all down.
Every meeting, every task, everyproject.
Get honest about where your timereally went.
Then take that list and askyourself three questions for
each item.

(03:15):
Does this directly generaterevenue or serve my clients?
Is this something only I can do?
Does this align with my businessgoals for this quarter?
If the answer to all threequestions is a no, then that
task goes on your not to dolist.
Then here's where it getspowerful.
Identify what to eliminate,automate, or delegate.

(03:37):
Some tasks need to be eliminatedcompletely.
They're just not worth doing.
Some tasks can be automated withthe right tools or systems, and
some need to be delegated to ateam member, contractor, or
virtual assistant.
Creating your not to-do list isthe easy part, actually sticking
to it.
That's where most entrepreneursstruggle.

(03:59):
So here's how to make it stick.
When someone asks you to dosomething or you're tempted to
add a new task, pause and askyourself, is this on my not
to-do list?
You'd be amazed how often theanswer is yes.
That pause gives you thepermission to say no Second.
Build this into your weeklyplanning routine every Sunday or

(04:21):
Monday, review your not to-dolist before you create your
to-do list.
This keeps you from falling backinto old patterns and filling
your calendar with busy work.
And here's what to do whenresistance shows up.
Your brain will try to convinceyou that you should do all these
tasks, that you are being lazyor irresponsible by not doing

(04:44):
them.
That's just fear talking myfriend.
Remind yourself what successfulentrepreneurs don't do is just
as important as what they do.
Your to-do list isn't aboutbeing lazy or doing less work.
It's about being strategic withyour time and energy so you can
focus on the tasks that willactually grow your business.

(05:05):
When everything feels urgent,your not to-do list becomes the
most powerful productivity tool.
And if you want more dailyreminders to stay focused on
what truly matters, follow me onInstagram at exclusively, Cindy.
Now go create your not to dolist.
I want you to brand themeverything you did last week.
Ask those three questions andidentify at least five tasks to

(05:30):
eliminate, automate, ordelegate.
And remember, you've got this.

Speaker (05:35):
Thanks for spending these few minutes with me today.
Remember, overwhelm isn'tpermanent.
It's simply your brain's way ofsaying pause and take a little
reality check.
If this was helpful, you'll lovemy weekly email tips where I
share the systems that keep meand hundreds of other
entrepreneurs on Track Link inthe show notes.
If you got value in today'sepisode, please share it with

(05:57):
another entrepreneur who needsthat reminder.
If you're loving the show, I'dbe so grateful if you could
leave me a quick review.
It helps other overwhelmedentrepreneurs find us.
Make sure you hit subscribe soyou never miss your weekly dose
of clarity.
For more resources and toconnect with me, visit
exclusively cindy.com.
Until next time, remember you'vegot this.