Overwhelmed by Your To-Do List? Try the Rule of 3
Does your to-do list ever have so many things on it that there is absolutely no chance you're getting it all done?
Work.
Emails.
Paperwork.
Appointments.
Laundry.
Groceries.
Dinner.
The thing you were supposed to schedule three weeks ago.
And somehow...the list keeps growing.
➡️ Here's something that might actually make you feel better - please know that:
You're probably right. You CAN'T get it all done.
Sometimes the problem isn't that we need to become more productive or manage our time better. The problem is that we're expecting ourselves to accomplish an unrealistic amount in the time and energy we actually have.
And when everything feels important, our brains can have a hard time deciding where to start.
So we procrastinate. We bounce between tasks. We answer emails because they're easier. We knock out a few little things so we can at least cross something off the list. We might even freeze up and get nothing done.
Meanwhile, THE THING we really need to do is still hanging over us, and that is DRAINING and impacting your energy, mood and ability to think clearly and efficiently. The life coach in me wants you to know that this is normal! But I have a solution….
Try This: Choose Your 3 MITs
MIT stands for Most Important Task.
At the beginning of your day—or even better, at the end of your workday when you're planning for tomorrow—ask yourself:
What are the 3 Most Important Things I need to accomplish?
Not the easiest three.
Not necessarily the three things screaming the loudest.
Choose the three things that would allow you to end the day thinking:
“Okay. I moved the important stuff forward today. That was good.”
Then, as much as possible, protect your attention and get those three things done early.
Eat the Frog...Before It Follows You Around All Day
There's a reason the old productivity advice to "eat the frog" has stuck around. (The saying was that if you had to eat a frog, get it over with so that you aren’t thinking about it all day. Terrible saying, I know.)
Do the difficult, important thing before you've spent half your day avoiding it.
Because procrastination doesn't necessarily mean you're relaxing.
You know that feeling. You're answering emails, reorganizing something, checking one more little thing off your list...but underneath it all, you're thinking about the task you know you should be doing.
It takes up mental space.
Getting one of your MITs done early can replace some of that background angst with something much better:
Relief. Accomplishment. Momentum.
And momentum feels good!
Don't Skip This Part: Let Yourself Feel Good About It
Here's the part we often forget.
We accomplish something and immediately move on to the next thing.
Okay, that's done. What's next?
Instead, take a moment in your mind to actually register the accomplishment. Let yourself feel good about it.
“I did the three things that mattered most today.”
Let that be enough.
Give just a moment to feel relieved. Successful. Maybe even a little proud.
Our brains learn from reward. When a behavior is followed by a positive feeling, that reward helps reinforce the habit and makes us more likely to repeat it.
So don't immediately move the finish line. Let the win soak in.
⬆️ An Idea to Uplevel Your Week
Before you start tomorrow—maybe even do this today so you can feel good knowing you already have a plan—write:
MY 3 MITs
Then tackle the hardest or most important one as early as you realistically can.
Everything else you accomplish? Bonus!
You don't need to finish everything to have had a successful day.
Sometimes you just need to finish what mattered most.
And when you do...don't forget to let yourself feel good about it.
More joy. Less stress. And maybe a to-do list that doesn't get to boss you around quite so much.
⬆️ Want more…? Practical tools for stress, anxiety, nervous system regulation, habits, and happiness and just some fun inspo over on Instagram: I’d love to see you there! @uplevellifecoach Just click HERE!
⬆️ Would you love more personalized support?
Reading about these tools is one thing. Figuring out how to apply them to your life…and actually creating lasting change - is another. That’s where I can really help!! We can get to the root of what’s keeping you stressed, calm your nervous system, find practical solutions, and build the habits, boundaries, and mindset shifts that help life feel good again. Ping me HERE!
More joy. Less stress. A life that feels good to live.
If there’s someone you know who could benefit from this, please forward this along. My goal is to help as many people as possible!