In 1948, mathematician and engineer Claude Shannon introduced the concept of “signal vs. noise” in his paper titled, “A Mathematical Theory of Communication,” creating an information theory that became the foundation for all communication systems.
Since then, the phrase has been more widely adopted as a term used by business leaders to differentiate between the most important data, metrics, and facts (signals) in any situation vs. all misinformation, opinions, and distractions (noise) that muddle and distort the communication, confusing the operator.
As we move into this shiny New Year, here’s a critical question to answer: What are the most important SIGNALS you need to pay attention to in 2026?
A second and even MORE critical question: What “noise” (distractions) in the form of unproductive activities, clients, employees, marketing, etc., do you need to ELIMINATE in 2026 to ensure you have the time to focus on the “signals”?
This brings me to one of my best productivity strategies: the “Stop Doing” list. Whenever you engage in growth or improvement in any form, there’s always a “to do” list of things you need to start doing or do more of.
More systems to build, more people to hire, more time invested in planning, more data to gather and analyze, more activities that need to be done. Everyone attempting to grow or improve has this list, particularly around the New Year.
But there is an essential next step to the process—finding the time to get those things done.
That’s where a “Stop Doing” list becomes critical. Our lives are like junk drawers. Over time, they fill up with random bits and pieces (junk) that we don’t want to throw away but don’t know what to do with—so we shove them in a drawer. Eventually, that drawer becomes so full it’s difficult to close and we can’t find anything we actually need in there either.
If you’re smart, you declutter the drawer, throwing away anything you no longer need AND anything that no longer serves you, freeing up space for things you truly want to keep.
For the most part, it’s all just NOISE.
Yes, you do need some randomness in your life. Read a book, attend a seminar, go to a trade show, or pick up a magazine that is entirely out of your normal orbit of information. That’s where discovery, innovation, and creativity are fostered. But getting things done requires HYPER-focus.
Racehorses wear blinders to prevent them from being distracted by other horses, the crowd, and even shadows on the ground as they race toward the finish line. Entrepreneurs attempting to get things DONE need the same.
Contrary to the idea sold to women in the feminist movement of the ’70s, you can’t have it all. Something or some things need to be sacrificed so you can fully embrace what is meaningful and truly important to you.
This time of year is as good as any to reevaluate, recalibrate, and REMIND yourself of what you truly want. But instead of making a “to do” list of things you want to start doing or do more of, first make your “Stop Doing” list of things you are no longer going to indulge in, be distracted by, or tolerate.
Happy New Year!
