The 1-3-5 Rule to Transform Your To-Do List | The 1-3-5 Rule for Task Management
Each day comes with unexpected distractions that ruin our plans. It could be your wrecked heels, that bus that came late, or your inability to turn back a colleague that doesn’t stop talking. Every 5 minutes of distraction has the strength to bring your plans out of shape. The 1-3-5 Rule to Transform Your To-Do List reorients your tasks to a list that is achievable in a day giving respect to your schedules and unexpected time lags.
Understanding the 1-3-5 Rule for Task Management | The 1-3-5 Rule to Transform Your To-Do List
The 1-3-5 rule is a time management technique that involves breaking down your to-do list into 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, and 5 small tasks.
Basically, your list will look something like this:
Big
●︎
Medium
●︎
●︎
●︎
Small
●︎
●︎
●︎
●︎
●︎
The idea is that by organising your tasks in this way, you’ll be more realistic with what you can accomplish in a day, which will make you more productive overall.
Using the 1-3-5 Rule to Tackle Your To-Do List
Undoubtedly, the proben fact is you can’t accomplish an endless number of things each day. Instead, accept that you can reasonably get one big thing, three medium things, and five small things done. So keep your daily to-do list to just these nine items.
The 1 large task
This is the most significant and impactful task of your day. It’s the one task that, if completed, will make the most difference. Brian Tracy, the author of one of the best books on productivity, often referred to the largest task of the day as “the frog.” He used the term “eat the frog” ( Get the book here https://amzn.eu/d/2D0PKNu ) as a way of explaining that the best way to stay productive is to tackle the largest task of the day first.
The 3 medium tasks
These tasks are moderately important and support your primary objective. The “3 Medium Tasks” help you strike a balance between tasks that are urgent and those that are important. While the “1 Big Task” focuses on what’s most important for your long-term goals, the “3 Medium Tasks” address both urgent matters and tasks that contribute to your progress without creating a sense of urgency.
The 5 small tasks
When your so called occupied day allows it, you can shift small tasks around and complete them when you have a moment to breathe. These are minor yet necessary tasks that still need attention. They may include quick emails, phone calls, or minor errands.
How The 1-3-5 to do list rule started? | A Little History Behind
The concept was developed by Betty Liu, the Executive Vice Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange. Coming from such a fast-paced environment, she needed a way to create to-do lists that really worked.”Just the act of writing something down makes you obligated to do it,” Liu told Business Insider. “And when you have the satisfaction at the end of the day of checking off that last item on that list, you feel so much better, as if you really completed the day.”
Why is the 1-3-5 rule useful?
Clarity and Focus
By prioritizing one big task, three medium tasks, and five small tasks, you know exactly where and how to direct your attention and energy. This prevents decision fatigue and helps you stay on track throughout the day
Simplicity and Manageability
The 1-3-5 Rule simplifies the overwhelming nature of long to-do lists. Instead of having an extensive list of tasks, you are limited to just nine items. This makes your to-do list more manageable and achievable, reducing the risk of feeling overwhelmed.
Motivation and Accomplishment
As you complete each task, you experience a boost in motivation. This encourages you to tackle the next one. Having a well-defined set of tasks for the day helps overcome procrastination. The positive reinforcement that you get further lead to increased productivity and a greater sense of satisfaction.
Final Takeaway | The 1-3-5 Rule to Transform Your To-Do List
There are just too many things to be done every day to survive our ruthless competitive world. Most of our plans end up being mere fantasies. This is because we plan our day with no strategy or understanding of our capabilities and schedules. When we get bombarded with too many meetings, tasks, unexpected chit-chats, and breaks, we lose track of our plans. The 1-3-5 rule helps you dip your toes into the world of work-life integration. A neat and clearly structured way of gathering yourself during messy periods. And, at the end of the day, it makes you feel like your time working was worthwhile !
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