Everyone has a To Do list. Even if it isn't written down, people still have it in their heads. The problem with a To Do list is how little of it actually gets done. This got me to thinking about a Not-To-Do List. I think the things you choose not to do can be as important as the things you do. Plus, not doing something requires little effort or willpower unless it involves smoking, cursing, and overeating. This is my Not-To-Do List.
1. Do not listen to crappy music.
I've listened to everything from classical to hip-hop to lounge music to blues to ska to reggae to ambient to what have you. But the music I consistently listen to is country and rock. I have explored those other genres, but they consistently suck ass every time. Why waste time? I know at the end of the day that I'm going to be playing Waylon Jennings and Led Zeppelin. Everything else is just shit.
2. Eschew fine dining.
The finest dining I do is a plate of pasta at The Olive Garden. For the most part, if it costs 50 bucks a plate, or you have to wear a suit and tie to eat there, it isn't worth it. If you paid all that dough to eat an artistically created meal that could fit in your hand, you are stupid.
3. Do not join groups, clubs, and organizations.
I belonged to a group once. I was even in a leadership role. But it was a mistake. A busybody tried to run things her way, and it made me sick. I left never to return, and I have zero regrets over this decision. I do regret joining the group. It was a mistake. There are two things I know. I don't like telling people what to do, and I don't like being told what to do. Joining a group involves one or both of these things. It's just not my thing.
4. Do not enter partnerships.
Did Simon really need Garfunkel? I didn't think so. The reality is that a partnership is the joining of an achiever with an inferior. This doesn't mean that you can't work with others, but someone has to be in the driver's seat. As long as everyone knows who is in charge, things work fine. It is when this becomes clouded that everything turns to shit. This is why the Beatles broke up, but Dylan soldiered on. Individuals don't break up. They might crack up, but they don't break up.
5. Do not play musical instruments.
Being able to play guitar is one of the most useless skills you can have. The world has no shortage of musicians. Unless you are Hendrix, pawn your instrument.
6. Do not daydream.
This is the hardest not-to-do item. Daydreaming is where you contemplate an imaginary life better than your own. It is OK to daydream about some creative endeavor you plan to undertake like writing a blog post or building a table. But most daydreaming is wishing. Since 90% of these wishes will never be fulfilled, you end up feeling miserable. Your life seems empty and fruitless compared to the fantasy. Daydreaming robs you twice because it eats up resources that can be used to achieve something real while also making you discount the things you do achieve.
7. Do not envy.
When it comes to other people, I admire their virtues and little else. Envy strikes me as a pointless waste. This is why I don't go to my high school reunions since this usually leads to some degree of envy or gloating. I just don't care what other people do with their lives. The other aspect is how utterly mundane and normal most people are while exceptional people are usually dysfunctional in key areas of their lives. Think of Steve Jobs or Hunter S. Thompson. Ulimately, I admire individualism, and you can't be an individualist by copying other people.
8. Do not wear sweaters.
I hate sweaters. They are itchy and unmanly. Fleece is OK.
9. Do not take vacations.
I define a vacation as at least a week taken off from work and spent in another geographic location. The good of the trip will be had in the first two days, and the rest of the time will be spent back at your room watching TV or surfing the internet. Take a weekend instead. Same bang for less buck.
10. Do not buy blenders, espresso machines, and other kitchen junk.
I bought a blender to appease a former girlfriend. It has been used exactly zero times. Except for the Foreman grill, the electric can opener, the Mister Coffee, and the toaster oven; there is little you can buy for your kitchen that will be worth the expense. Sandwich makers, food processors, bread machines, and the like are just yard sale clutter. Save your dough and don't buy it.
That's it for my Not-To-Do List. It is a work in progress, so you might see a part 2 to this one. Hopefully, it will give you some ideas for shit you can choose not to do.
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