The ‘Reverse To-Do List’ -

The ‘Reverse To-Do List’: How Doing Less Gets You More

By Khan Abdulkarim

We’ve been sold the idea that productivity means doing more. More meetings. More tasks. More checkboxes to tick off.

But what if the real secret wasn’t about adding… it was about subtracting?

Welcome to the Reverse To-Do List — a simple shift that can turn you from a stressed-out multitasker into a focused high performer.

The Problem with the Traditional To-Do List

Let’s be honest: most to-do lists are graveyards of unfinished tasks. You start the day with ten items, end the day with eight still pending, and feel like you’ve failed — even if you actually got important work done.

The problem isn’t you. It’s the system.

When you only focus on what needs to be done, you ignore the fact that some of those things shouldn’t be done at all. They drain your time, your focus, and your energy — leaving you with no space for the things that truly move the needle.

The Power of Subtraction

Think about your phone. When it starts running slow, what do you do? You remove apps, clear storage, and close unnecessary programs.

Your brain works the same way. Removing unnecessary commitments frees up mental bandwidth so you can run on high performance mode.

That’s where the Reverse To-Do List comes in.

Meet Parvej Mantrri — The Man with the “Done List”

Here’s a shoutout to my good friend Parvej Mantrri — a phenomenal emcee and fitness coach who has mastered this principle in his own life.

Parvej has this one-liner that always sticks with me:

“Don’t make a To-Do list. Make a DONE list.”

When I first heard him say this, it sounded unusual. But then he explained: A Done List focuses on what you’ve already achieved, not what you still owe yourself.

It’s about looking back at the end of the day and seeing progress — even if you didn’t clear every single “urgent” task.

And the funny part? By focusing on what he wanted to remove from his schedule and tracking only what mattered, Parvej built a business he loves, stayed consistent with his workouts, and still has time to spend with family.

The Reverse To-Do List Method

If you want to try it, here’s how to start:

List the things you will NOT do today. Example: No checking emails before 11 AM. No meetings that don’t have a clear agenda.
Track what you accomplish as you go. Add tasks to your DONE list only after they’re completed.
Cut at least one recurring task every week. Cancel that pointless weekly meeting. Delegate that admin task.
Review at the end of the week. Celebrate progress. Identify low-value tasks to remove permanently.

Why It Works (Backed by Psychology)

Momentum builds motivation – Seeing a growing DONE list makes you want to keep going.
Less decision fatigue – You’re not overwhelmed by a giant list staring at you all day.
Focus on outcomes, not activity – You stop confusing busyness with productivity.

A Real-World Payoff

A Bangalore-based entrepreneur I worked with cut 40% of his daily tasks using this method. Within six months, his revenue doubled — not because he worked more, but because he worked on the right things.

Similarly, Parvej swears by the DONE list method to maintain his dual career in fitness and hosting events. Instead of burning out, he keeps energy high and results consistent.

Your Challenge for the Week

Make a “Will Not Do” list each morning.
Create a “Done List” as you work.
At week’s end, cut something from your schedule forever.

You’ll be shocked at how much time you free up — and how much better you feel.

Final Thought:

In a world obsessed with more, the winners will be the ones who master less. Sometimes, the smartest move you can make is to stop playing the game everyone else is losing.

And as Parvej Mantrri would say — consistency depends on your done list, not your to do list.

— Abdulkarim Founder, 3Co’s Innovative

The ‘Reverse To-Do List’