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.
Krish Roy says
Thanks for sharing a great list. I will try definitely for my everyday work.
Rene B says
Learned from corporate America many tricks to stay ahead of impending, looming, dooming lists of deliverables. A previous CMO taught to organize ToDos via 3 separate lists…
— Must Do (critical – now – today)
— Should Do (as soon as possible)
— Nice to do (when the other items are handled)
With these three categories, just about everything you have on all of your lists will fit, and you move items up to Must Do for the next day, etc. Sometimes things change and those at the bottom need to be pulled forward.
Although this might overwhelm some, it has worked for me for many years and I rarely lose sight of things I need to accomplish. Very efficient!
J says
Ok, so last night before bed I jotted down in my daily planner a total of 7 things, some of which are routine, grocery store and garden center. I’m getting there, eventually it will dwindle down….the number 3 strikes me as not enough for some reason, but I can see how a lot of stress would be eliminated from my day knowing I only had to focus on 3 things. It’s always a work in progress. I am a person who is constantly told by others, “You never stop, how do you do it”? I want to be less busy, but this is just who I am, 75 projects going at once …..good article, and I’m letting it stew in my brain and will work on the 3 list concept. Thanks!
joshua becker says
The concept allows you to accomplish more than three things each day. The 3-Item To Do List just helps you focus on the three most important things and provides a sense of completion at the end of the day… rather than continually staring an unfinished list.
Nicole Leppert says
Funny, I used to make a To Do list when I was working. Sometimes I had 30+ items on this list. I learned a strategy where I would apply a time priority to each item multipy that by an importance priority, and voila, I ended up with my list categorized by which item needed my attention in the quickest and highest priority. It was confusing, even for me who learned how to manipulate the formula to do what I wanted when I watned. Now that I’m not working, I don’t do this (thank God!), but I feel lost some days when I don’t have an organized list but know I need to get stuff done. I really like the 3-Item To Do List, I’m going to start using this TODAY!
Shuba says
This is so true, Josh. Longer lists cause analysis paralysis and I end up adding all the not important and not urgent tasks in there.
Cathy Lynn Dewey says
I first saw your site by a friends post. These last few yrs have been very difficult. i am excited to have something to strive for. i have a mild hoard, not like the tv show, but definitely messy areas, closets id be super embarrassed if anyone entered, full disgusting basement of unnecessary stuff, etc. i plan to tackle it this summer. i love so many of your posts! keep on keeping on and thank you so much!
Michal says
I have fallen in love with 3 item todos. It helped me tremendously to be more productive and more satisfied with my day at the same time. I couldnt find a good iOS app to use so I have created one called 3 Big Things. Maybe it will help someone else as well :) check it out here : tinyurl.com/lqsjnwq
Cynthia says
Yes!
It was a difficult transition to start practicing minimalism by limiting top priorities. Having only 3 items on my previously impossible “To Do” list has helped me feel like I am winning instead of going to bed more behind than when I woke up.
Two personal tweaks to manage my focus/memory weaknesses –
1. I have started making my Big 3 list the night before. Otherwise I can get distracted and jump into a dozen other directions before I even think of writing my list if I wait till morning.
2. I have to keep running lists in my phone organized by topics of just about every thought that crosses my mind, e.g. “Go,” “Calls,” “Deadlines,” etc – each with a date assigned. Even “clean bathrooms” and other housekeeping tasks are designated to repeat weekly. No sound notifications, though. I consult these lists when my Big 3 are done to create my Little 3.
Chris Howard says
Great idea this, and have been using it for a year or so. It makes such a difference. I don’t use it every day, just when I’m struggling with too many things on my mind.
And, if I tick off the 3 things with time to spare, then I write another three.
A neat way to implement it is to write the three things on the back of old business cards, and prop it in front of you.
Or, a write them in a daily diary, (I have found the ye olde paper based diaries more effective for managing time and appointments, as I was becoming notification blind with devices)
June Carlyle says
I love this idea! My full list overwhelms me. I think I can handle 3 things. I think I will make 2 lists of three—one for work and one for my personal life. I feel less stressed already…
Yvonne Rahui says
And..Im even going to try it right now as I climb out of bed at 12.50 to start my day!
1-pray;
2-make the bed and
3-get dressed.
Tomorrow maybe a whole lit different!