Have you written your "Stop-Doing" list yet?

You won't hit any of your goals without a Stop-Doing List.

Do you know what made Apple’s comeback story legendary?

It wasn’t just Steve Jobs’ knack for innovation, it was his ability to say no.

When Jobs returned to Apple in the late ’90s, the company was all over the place -too many products, too many ideas, and zero focus.

Chaos.

His first decision was to cut the product line by over 70%.

Gone.

Just like that.

He believed, and I’m quoting him here, “Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.”

And you know what?

He was right.

That focus turned Apple into company we know today.

It got me thinking - what if you and I took a page out of that playbook?

What if, instead of adding more to our already-packed plates, we started cutting back?

Not just saying no for the sake of it, but saying no to the stuff that’s pulling us away from what really matters.

That’s what this stop-doing list is about.

And by the time we’re done, you’ll have the space (and energy) to focus on your goals in the new year.

Saying no is your secret weapon to hitting your goals.

Let’s be honest, saying no is hard.

You don’t want to disappoint anyone.

But every time you say yes to something that doesn’t serve your bigger picture, you’re saying no to something that does.

I’ve been guilty of this too - filling my calendar with busywork, taking on clients that weren’t a good fit, or saying yes to “opportunities” that ended up being time-sucking distractions.

It all felt important in the moment.

But after a few months, I’d hit this wall of frustration because I wasn’t any closer to my goals.

You don’t need to do more; you need to do less.

The right kind of less.

Let’s make your stop-doing list

This is where it gets fun.

Together, we’re going to clear the decks so you can focus on what really matters.

Grab a pen, open a notes app, or just start scribbling on the back of an envelope -whatever works for you.

1. Write down your goals

What’s your big thing for 2025?

That one goal that, if you nail it, will make everything else feel like a bonus?

Now think about three or four smaller goals that support it.

2. Brain-dump everything you’re doing now

List it all out - the tasks, projects, habits, clients, or commitments tied to your current goals (or what you think your goals are).

Be brutally honest.

3. Sort the “must-haves” from the “nice-to-haves”

Look at your list.

What’s essential?

What actually moves you closer to your big goal?

Those are your must-haves.

Everything else? It’s probably a nice-to-have.

And nice-to-haves? They can wait - or go entirely.

I’ve been guilty of prioritising nice-to-haves and leaving no time for the important stuff. This wasn’t intentional, it was more routine and just running on autopilot.

When I did this a few months back, I realised how much time I’d sunk into things at the expense of the things which I really need to focus on.

4. Say goodbye to what’s not serving you

Here comes the hard part: start cutting.

Maybe it’s a client who drains your energy or a project that’s stuck in “maybe someday” land.

Whatever it is, let it go.

Steve Jobs didn’t hold onto backup plans - he made decisions and stuck with them.

You can too.

5. Protect your boundaries

This is key.

Once you’ve got your stop-doing list, keep it front and centre.

Use it as a filter for new opportunities.

If something doesn’t align with your priorities, it’s an automatic no.

Get a priority list near your computer. Make it visible and use it as a visual reminder.

It’s easy to slip into adding more stuff without giving our goals a second thought.

Less really is more

Imagine waking up in January with a clear sense of what you’re working on - and what you’re not working on.

Feels lighter already, doesn’t it?

This stop-doing list isn’t just about cutting tasks, it’s about cutting the guilt, the overwhelm, and the busy-for-the-sake-of-it nonsense.

It’s about creating space for the things that matter most to you.

So here’s my challenge: take 20 minutes today, write your stop-doing list, and see how it feels.

You might find that what you’re letting go of is the exact thing that’s been holding you back.

Here’s to fewer distractions, more progress, and a 2025 that actually feels like yours.

What’s going on your stop-doing list?