Episode 231 - Occupational Safety - Start Making a list of things to Stop Doing

Dr. Ayers challenges safety professionals to take a hard, honest look at their daily habits and routines — not to add more tasks, but to identify what they need to stop doing. The episode emphasizes that eliminating unproductive behaviors is just as important as adopting new ones.

  🧠 Key Themes 1. Self‑Examination Is a Leadership Skill

Dr. Ayers encourages listeners to:

• Step back and evaluate how they work

• Identify habits that drain time, energy, or focus

• Recognize behaviors that no longer serve their mission

This requires honesty and intentional reflection.

2. Stopping Is Often More Powerful Than Starting

Many safety pros try to improve by adding:

• More initiatives

• More meetings

• More documentation

• More tasks

But the real breakthrough often comes from removing the unnecessary.

3. The “Stop Doing” List

The episode suggests creating a personal list of things to stop doing, such as:

• Over‑explaining

• Micromanaging

• Taking on tasks that belong to others

• Saying yes to everything

• Getting stuck in perfectionism

This frees up time for high‑value work.

4. Change Requires Intentionality

Dr. Ayers stresses that:

• You must consciously choose what to stop

• You must revisit the list regularly

• You must hold yourself accountable

Stopping is a discipline, not a one‑time exercise.

  🚀 Leadership Takeaways

• You can’t grow if you don’t let go.

• Stopping low‑value habits creates space for meaningful work.

• Self‑reflection is a core safety leadership competency.

• A “stop doing” list is a practical tool for personal and professional improvement.