For solo operators who want to work less, not more
Most productivity advice tells you to do MORE. This template helps you do LESS.
How it works:
List everything you currently do in your business
Categorize each item using the framework below
Stop doing anything in the "STOP" categories
Question everything else
The brutal truth: 40% of what you do probably doesn't matter. This template helps you find it.
Tasks that add zero value but eat your time
Task
Why I Do It
Why I Should Stop
[Example: Checking email every 10 minutes]
[Feel productive/Fear missing something]
[Interrupts deep work, most emails aren't urgent]
Tasks you do out of habit but don't drive results
Task
What Would Happen If I Stopped?
Action
[Example: Weekly team meeting with no agenda]
[Nothing important would be missed]
[Cancel or restructure]
Tasks that might be necessary but could be simplified
Task
Current Time Investment
Simplified Version
Time Saved
[Example: Monthly financial reports]
[4 hours]
[Simple P&L dashboard]
[3 hours]
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Tasks that need doing but not by you
Task
Cost of Me Doing It
Delegation/Automation Option
ROI
[Example: Social media posting]
[$100/hour × 5 hours = $500]
[Scheduling tool: $20/month]
[96% cost reduction]
Total hours worked per week: ___________
Hours spent on actual revenue-generating work: ___________
Percentage of time adding real value: ___________%
Hours I can eliminate: ___________
New weekly total: ___________
Time gained for important work: ___________
Things most solo operators should probably stop doing
Attending meetings with no clear agenda or outcome
Checking email/Slack constantly throughout the day
Perfecting work that's already "good enough"
Following up on leads that will never convert
Creating content that gets zero engagement
Tracking metrics that don't inform decisions
Networking events that waste time
Admin tasks that could be automated
Client work you're not good at or don't enjoy
Saying yes to every opportunity
What am I doing because I think I "should" rather than because it works?
What tasks do I do because they make me feel busy rather than productive?
If I could only work 20 hours per week, what would I cut first?
What would happen if I stopped doing [specific task] for 30 days?
Come back to this question: "What can I stop doing right now?"
Most overwhelm comes from doing too much, not from not doing enough.
80% of your stress comes from 20% of your tasks
80% of your revenue comes from 20% of your activities
Find the 80% you can stop doing
Remember: Every "yes" to something unimportant is a "no" to something that matters.