What do you care (and don't care) about?

Making a list of what to care about and what not to care about is a powerful exercise in clarity and focus. Here’s a structured approach I use ...

Define Your Core Values

Before listing specifics, reflect on your core values—these will guide what truly matters to you. Some common values include:

Health

Family & Relationships

Personal Growth

Career & Financial Stability

Creativity & Passion Projects

Spirituality or Philosophy

Make Two Columns

Create a two-column list with:

“What to Care About” on the left

“What Not to Care About” on the right

Categorize Your Priorities

Consider different areas of life and what truly serves you. Some examples:

✅ What to Care About	❌ What Not to Care About
Health & fitness	Other people’s opinions about your body
Close friendships & family	Superficial social media validation
Skill-building & mastery	Gossip & drama
Financial independence	Impressing others with luxury
Mental clarity & peace	Overthinking past mistakes
Purpose-driven work	Doing things just for approval
Being kind & honest	Pleasing everyone at your own expense

Use the "Will This Matter in 5 Years?" Rule

When in doubt, ask: "Will this matter in 5 years?" If yes, it goes in the care column; if not, it goes in the don’t care column.

Revisit & Refine

Your priorities will shift over time. Review and refine this list periodically to stay aligned with your evolving goals.

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