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Welcome to another edition of the 1% Habits Newsletter!

This is where you’ll get up-to-date information on small wins to improve your habits, productivity, and life satisfaction. 

Let’s get to it.

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📈 Stop Doing More — Start Doing Better

Lately, I’ve been juggling too many projects — including this email list. If you’ve noticed I’ve dropped off over the past month, that’s exactly why.

The truth is, when you’re trying to do too much, everything suffers. Energy drains faster. Focus blurs. And the things that matter most get pushed aside.

So recently, I dusted off an old productivity tool I hadn’t used in a while: the “Stop Doing” list.

It’s exactly what it sounds like — a list of things you decide to stop doing. Not just for a day or a week, but permanently or until further notice.

This isn’t about adding more tasks or hacks. It’s about cutting away the noise so you can focus on what truly matters.

And honestly? It’s one of the most underrated productivity hacks out there.

Why a “Stop Doing” List Works

Most productivity advice focuses on what to do — how to plan better, how to prioritize, how to squeeze more into your day.

But what if the real secret is knowing what not to do?

When your plate is overflowing, adding more “to-dos” just makes the problem worse. The answer is elimination.

A Stop Doing list helps you:

● Free up mental space. When you know what you’re not doing, your brain can relax.

● Protect your time. Saying no to certain tasks means saying yes to your priorities.

● Reduce overwhelm. Fewer commitments = less stress.

● Increase focus. You can give your best energy to fewer things.

It’s like pruning a tree. You cut back the branches that don’t serve the tree’s growth so the healthy parts can thrive.

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The 4 Ds of Elimination

A useful framework for building your Stop Doing list is the 4 Ds — a concept borrowed from time management but perfect for this purpose:

1. Delete — Remove tasks or commitments that no longer serve you. These are things you can stop doing entirely.

2. Delegate — Pass tasks to someone else who can do them better or more efficiently.

3. Delay — Postpone certain activities until a better time or until you have more resources.

4. Diminish — Reduce the time or effort you spend on certain tasks without eliminating them completely.

Applying these 4 Ds helps you systematically clear your plate without feeling guilty.

How to Create Your Own Stop Doing List

Here’s a step-by-step process to build your Stop Doing list and reclaim your focus:

Step 1: Conduct a Brain Dump

Write down everything you’re currently doing — projects, tasks, meetings, habits, and commitments. Don’t filter. Just get it all out.

Step 2: Identify the Noise

Look at your list and ask:

● Which items drain my energy without meaningful payoff?

● What tasks do I do out of obligation, not passion or priority?

● Are there projects I’ve been “meaning to get to” but never actually do?

Highlight or circle these.

Step 3: Apply the 4 Ds

For each item in your “noise” pile, decide:

● Can I Delete it completely?

● Can I Delegate it to someone else?

● Can I Delay it until a better time?

● Can I Diminish how much time I spend on it?

Write your decision next to each item.

Step 4: Commit to Your List

Put your Stop Doing list somewhere visible. Commit to it publicly if you can — tell a friend, your spouse, or even your email list. Accountability helps.

Step 5: Review and Adjust Weekly

Your Stop Doing list isn’t static. Revisit it weekly. Remove new distractions. Add new items. Celebrate what you’ve cut loose.

What I Cut From My Own List

For me, the biggest challenge was accepting that I couldn’t do everything — especially this email list alongside multiple business projects.

Here’s what I stopped doing recently:

● Trying to grow every social media channel for my AI music business (I’m now sticking to just Facebook Reels and YouTube)

● Saying yes to every personal invite.

● Multitasking during deep work sessions.

Cutting these freed up hours and mental energy I didn’t realize I was wasting.

Tips to Make Your Stop Doing List Stick

● Be ruthless but kind to yourself. This is about prioritizing your well-being, not perfection.

● Start small. You don’t have to quit everything at once. Pick 2–3 items to stop doing this week.

● Celebrate your progress. Notice how much lighter and more focused you feel.

● Use reminders. Set calendar alerts or sticky notes to reinforce your new boundaries.

● Pair it with a “Start Doing” list. Sometimes it’s easier to say no when you have a clear yes in mind.

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or like you’re spread too thin, the solution might not be more productivity hacks.

It might be a Stop Doing list.

By consciously deciding what to cut out, you create space for what truly matters — whether that’s your creative projects, family time, or simply breathing room.

So today, I invite you to try this:

Write down what you’re doing.

Decide what you’re stopping.

Commit to it.

Your future self will thank you.

Talk soon,

Steve

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