The Not-To-Do List by Rolf Dobelli Summary PDF

 

The Not-To-Do List by Rolf Dobelli Summary 

Have you ever thought that to be successful in life, one should not only decide on ‘to do’ tasks but also on some ‘not to do’ tasks?

Hello friends, welcome to Books Summary and review. Today we will talk about Rolf Dobelli’s book The Not-To-Do List, in which he has explained the art of giving up habits necessary to achieve success.

Rolf Dobelli says that there are big mistakes in life that lead us on the wrong path. Identify those mistakes and avoid them—that is the real key to success. For example, the first chapter of the book is “LET THINGS FALL APART.” It tells the story of a man who kept putting off repairing the roof of his old house and eventually the house collapsed, day or night. It shows that if we do not take care of our lives—our health, relationships, and responsibilities—everything will fall apart.

But Rolf says such neglect is absolutely wrong. “The Voice of Silence” makes us understand that ignoring small things like the roof can cause great harm. Get repairs done on time, get regular check-ups, maintain love in relationships—because that is the real heroism, which is often hidden from sight.

Energy-draining habits

Have you realized how much energy we waste in our daily lives? Dobelli warns us about several energy-drainers, such as wasting hours on social media, getting involved in unnecessary rumors, or getting into silly arguments that drain both time and energy. For example, when you get into petty arguments at work or at home, not only is time wasted, but mental energy is also drained. Dobelli advises that we avoid such activities and focus our energy on our priorities.

Inner Voice vs. Logic

One of the funniest parts of the book is “Feed Your Weaker Self.” At first it seems as if we are being advised to feed our lazy side (act like gorillas). But then Roffl gives the opposite answer. We are taught to defeat our “inner pigdog.” The truth is that laziness is in our genes, but it can be trained. Imagine, your self-discipline is like a muscle—do a little exercise, keep a regular routine, and gradually the willpower will get stronger. So friends, stop being lazy and defeat the “pig-dog” inside you!

Avoid dishonesty

Dobelli points out that life can be extremely miserable if you make do with false promises. The book says, “Never keep your promises!”—if you do this, your reputation will be damaged. Slowly people will not trust you, you will become the subject of rumors. But the voice of silence tells that honesty and reliability are powerful keys to success. Be trustworthy, keep your promises—because that is the greatest strength.

Learn to say no

Many of us find it easy to say yes—we accept everything offered. Dobelli says it’s important to break the habit of saying yes to everything. When you say yes to every offer, your energy and time will be spread out. For example, a friend or coworker may expect you to say yes to every little thing over and over again; if you can’t say no, you’ll become their priority and take away from your real goals. Learn that sometimes it’s important to say no.

Other Bad Habits

The book also highlights several other habits to avoid—such as trying to change others, speaking out every thought, or trying to boost your ego. For example, no matter how close you are, you can’t force someone to think like you. Don’t try—just accept them as they are. Likewise, it’s not necessary to pick up every little thing about others; speaking up can ruin relationships. These little habits can add up to holding you back, so avoid them.

Simplicity

Dobelli emphasizes the need to stop trying to accumulate too many things. When we multitask, our energy is split and nothing gets done well. Consider the example: If you try to do too many things at once, nothing will get done perfectly. But if you narrow your focus to a few tasks, the results will be better. So take as little as possible in life—less stuff, less responsibilities—so you can focus on your chosen goals.

The importance of right thinking and relationships

In the end, Rolf makes a very important point: the quality of your life depends on your thoughts and the quality of your relationships. Money or medals don't matter if your thoughts are negative or the people you are with pull you down. So friends, keep your thoughts positive and be with people who push you forward.  Comment below and tell us which of these 'don'ts' you would most like to give up? We would love to know your opinion! 

Thank you! See you next time with another great book story. Until then, bye and remember—do work, but do it wisely! 🙌📚

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