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 am the opposite. I NEED detailed lists.
Yes, I have ASD so I need to make a list of what I need to do, right from the get-go, and it *must* be in the order that I want to do the things. I get quite lost if I do things out of order!
This is freedom personified!
The load is lifted, the tasks get done. We move more lightly, think more clearly, act more purposefully.
Love this!
Will be sharing this over on my LinkedIn page …
Reminds me of a talk I attended, years ago. I think it was about optimism. The speaker said, “My mother has a daily to-do list. The first two items are “Get up” and “Eat breakfast”. That way, she can start her day by checking off two items already!
I am one of those people with the interminable to-do list, and I’m just learning to select the daily priorities. After taking the Coursera course “Learning How to Learn”, I am also using the Pomodoro Technique, which consists of breaking your tasks down to 25-minute periods, then switching tasks or taking a break. So far, so good.
LOL…1st item on my daily list is MAKE LIST
I do this too. I timed my housework and found that I could do most tasks like dusting, windexing, vaccuming, etc in 30 minutes or less. I pick 2 or 3 a day and by the end of the week, it all gets done. Obliviously things like dishes and laundry take time but you are not steadily at it so I work around those. I am decluttering every day. That never ends but my house is always company ready now.
I am a big believer in the 3 items on my list, i can manage 3 things, this method is manageable and i can concentrate on what i am doing, thats great for me, i seem to do things properly/thoroughly, you save more time in the long run, tasks are completed and not half done.
thanks josh
xxxxxJacquelinexxx
I’ve just found your wonderful blog. I’m going through a period of questioning everything upto this point, massive office, so many many books, trinkets that remind me of things, I’ve been working so hard to get something or somewhere…
And I’ve not get there.
At home with a bad back has forced me to not go to the office and work from home, reducing the times I check email, finally getting rid of the trinkets on the table, saving money not constantly being on a supermarket.
It’s now time for adventure.
Thank you for your wonderful blog, looking forward to reading more and the journey to a saner, happier, cleaner mind.
I’ve just found your wonderful blog. I’m going through a period of questioning everything upto this point, massive office, so many many books, trinkets that remind me of things, I’ve been working so hard to get something or somewhere…
And I’ve not get there.
At home with a bad back has forced me to not go to the office and work from home, reducing the times I check email, finally getting rid of the trinkets on the table, saving money not constantly being on a supermarket.
It’s now time for adventure.
Thank you for your wonderful blog.
You may not have gotten THERE yet but you did get all the way to HERE. It will happen.
A simple and effective approach. Reminds me of Stephen Covey’s “big rocks” before the “pebbles” lesson. Thanks for the reminder, I need to adopt this!
I agree, John P. Weiss. Stephen Covey had/has some good stuff!
I do something similar, except it’s a 5 thing list. I wrote a web app to us on my phone which automatically wipes the slate clean every night, forcing me to re-evaluate what the most important 5 things I have each day.
Joshua;
I agree that a short to do list combat procrastination. You tell your self that anyone that is serious about accomplishments can complete 3 task. I use the WinStreak App to help me complete my task during the day.
Thanks for sharing this tool, Joshua! It’s a major factor in keeping my days sane and happy. I hope others find it just as useful.
So simple yet brilliant. My honey – do list will never be the same!