The Freeing Power of Eliminating Tasks You “Ought to Do”

How many times have you caught yourself sifting through a list of obligations that you feel you “ought to do”? These tasks often linger, unattended, as they wither away in the shadows of our busy lives. But here’s the truth: they don’t deserve the space they occupy on your list. Eliminating tasks like this is one of the simplest ways to be truly productive.

How to Start Eliminating Tasks to Free Up Your Time

Start by identifying those tasks that are mere obligations. These are tasks that you feel obligated to do but don’t truly align with your priorities, values, or goals. Once you’ve identified them, you have three options:

1. Delegate Them: Find someone else who can handle these tasks. Whether it’s a colleague, a virtual assistant, or a family member, delegating frees you from the burden of tasks that don’t align with your core goals.
2. Delete Them: Simply remove these tasks from your list. If they don’t align with your priorities or add value to your life, let them go. This step requires you to be honest with yourself about what truly matters.
3. Decide Whether They Are Tasks You Genuinely Need or Want to Do: For tasks that linger between obligation and desire, ask yourself if they are something you genuinely need or want to do. Shift your mindset from obligation to choice, from “ought to do” to “want or need to do.”

By delegating or deleting tasks that don’t align with your purpose, you free up valuable time and mental bandwidth to focus on what truly matters to you. Here are some actionable steps to implement this practice:

1. Conduct a Task Audit: Review your to-do list and categorize each task. Ask yourself if each task aligns with your goals and values. If it doesn’t, delegate or delete it.
2. Set Clear Priorities: Establish clear priorities for your tasks. Focus on high-impact activities that drive you closer to your goals. This will help you identify which tasks are worth your time and which are not.
3. Use the 80/20 Rule: Apply the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) to your task list. Identify the 20% of tasks that contribute to 80% of your results. Focus your energy on these high-value tasks.
4. Create Boundaries: Set boundaries around your time and commitments. Learn to say no to tasks and obligations that do not serve your goals or well-being.
5. Reflect and Adjust: Regularly reflect on your task list and make adjustments as needed. This helps ensure that you stay aligned with your priorities and avoid falling back into the trap of “ought to do” tasks.

Shift Your Mindset

The key to effective task management is a shift in mindset. Moving from an obligation-based approach to one of intentionality allows you to reclaim your time and focus on what truly matters. When you shift your perspective from “ought to do” to “want or need to do,” you empower yourself to make choices that align with your goals and values.

By implementing these strategies, you’ll find yourself more focused, productive, and aligned with your true purpose. Take control of your task list today and experience the power of eliminating “ought to do” tasks.