First, let me give credit where credit is due. It was Melissa Camara Wilkins who first introduced me to the 3-Item To Do List.
I have used it ever since. And I’d love to recommend it to you.
For most of my life, I was the person with a mile long to-do list next to me at all times, often carrying over from day-to-day and week-to-week. But no longer.
For the past several months, I have been using a 3-Item To Do List exclusively—and I have found it to increase my productivity and work satisfaction significantly.
The 3-Item To Do List is as simple and profound as it sounds. At the beginning of each day, I take time to identify and articulate the three most important items for me to accomplish.
For example, my To Do List for today consists of these three items:
- Write a blog post for Becoming Minimalist
- Set agenda for our next Hope Effect Board of Directors’ Meeting
- Put final touches on an article pitch for a major publication
That’s it! Three items—all significant, all important, all entirely manageable.
Now, almost certainly, there are other work-related things I will do today: post to Facebook, answer e-mail, text a peer. But my three main identified projects will always take precedence.
The short list approach keeps me focused on the most important tasks I need to accomplish.
But I have found other benefits as well. The shorter list keeps me from feeling overwhelmed. The shorter list also helps me overcome procrastination—the finish line is always in sight.
Additionally, and equally important, the 3-Item List provides a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. This benefit is the main one that Melissa articulates—she even refers to it as an “Enough List.” When the list is completed, there is a sense of finality. She says it like this:
Now instead of ending each day feeling like I’ve fallen behind, I have a built-in sense of accomplishment in the evenings. I finished my three things! I did what mattered most!
The importance of identifying the three most important things to accomplish in a day is revolutionary regardless of where you apply it. It is a helpful productivity hack at work. It can be used equally well by a stay-at-home mom or dad. It can be uniquely tailored for a hobby or side-business.
In order to accomplish our most important tasks, it is essential to remain focused on them. The 3-Item To Do List accomplishes that and requires you to identify them anew each morning.
I started doing a three to four item to-do list when I had to close my barber business during the pandemic. I found myself wondering around the house getting nothing done, feeling like I was just wasting the unexpected opportunity of so much free time. The daily list gave me an anchor to focus on each morning, and over the course of nine weeks, I systematically downsized and organized everything I owned. I didn’t allow myself any leisurely activity until my list for the day was complete. I still use a list of two or three items to get my chores and errands done on the weekends. It makes my free time much more enjoyable to not have anything hanging over my head.
I began doing the 3 item list a couple of weeks ago after recently reading one of the weekend inspiration articles. I am finding that I am less frustrated by what I’m not accomplishing, and that I am actually ticking off some of those items on my list that is carried over for weeks. Months, actually if I’m being honest.
This has worked well for me ever since I get caught in doing too many things on my to do list. I get more rest by just pick and chose one or two things to do. Then leave some unfinished . That’s how I get myself back the next day in the task knowingly this needs to be done. Something I become accustomed to when I feel unmotivated.
Can I do the 12 week course at my own speed? I travel so I may miss a week or two in the order given during the course. Please advise.
Thank you.
Connie
Yes, sorta. The material is released each week on Monday mornings. So participants log-in at a time convenient for them to view the material and begin the weekly challenge. There are three live webinars that happen during the course—but even those are recorded and made available immediately afterwards for people who cannot attend the live event. So yes, you can go at your own speed… but not work ahead as the weekly material is released on Mondays. This keeps everyone working on the same project at the same time.
I really like the 3 important things to do list. There is a lot of upside to it. When you wake up you know what are the 3 things you want to do with the day. You pick and choose. It has to be doable to you. I am learning to doing one thing at a time and not multitasking as I often do. Having a short list is very pleasant. At work, my list is rather quite long and repeating. I have a routine for morning and and night what to be done is up to how I would want it. It is definitely a habit that should stick.