Most people, including myself, create a task list each day. We also call this a “to do” list. In a world that increasingly demands our attention every second—in a world filled with ever-increasing opportunities and connections—this list seems to get longer all the time.

The antidote to all this is to create a “stop doing” list. These are things you have decided you are NOT going to do.

Some examples:

– Stop committing to extra activities.

– Stop feeling guilty for not doing more.

– Stop answering your email 15 times a day.

– Stop starting new projects until you publish the current one.

– Stop comparing yourself to other writers.

– Stop watching the news.

– Stop holding grudges.

– Stop following people on social media who irritate you.

Success as a writer and creative person isn’t really a matter of doing more. It’s mostly a matter of eliminating the negative and unproductive things in your life so the good things can naturally start sprouting up.

Question: What item from the list above should you stop doing?