Try using the 1-3-5 rule for a while and see how this to-do list system works for you.
What is the 1-3-5 rule of productivity?
The 1-3-5 rule acknowledges that in a typical day, you just dont have time to do it all.
These can be related or they can be separate.
Used another way, the rule can also apply to major tasks and involve batching them into smaller groups.
Say youre planning a vacation.
The 1-3-5 rule can help you break up everything you’re gonna wanna do.
The big task can be booking flights and hotel accommodations.
Little tasks can be anything from setting an OOO to emailing your travel partners the itinerary.
You’ll prioritize them later.
Once everything is down on the paper, make note of anything especially timely.
From that group, identify one big task, three medium ones, and five little ones.
Thats your to-do list for the day.
These are subjective classifications based on your own resource allocation.
Once youve laid out your day, start with that big task.
Finally, be flexible.
Unexpected assignments or duties crop up all the time and may not be easily categorized into the 1-3-5 boxes.
You may also not finish one of your tasks for the day.
The goal here isnt to beat yourself up or be super strict.
