The goal here is to not only get things done but to do them with purpose and impact.
In a busy world where you have to-do lists coming out of your ears, the methods in this post are here to help you craft a more harmonious day.
The Top 3
Out of your to-do list for the day, pick the top 3 tasks that will move you closest to your goal and prioritise those tasks. Only when you have completed those move on to the other nice to have done tasks.
Great To Get Done, Nice To Have Done, Not Important
Beyond the top 3 priority tasks, categorise your tasks into great to get done, nice to have done and not important. By categorising your tasks this way you create a roadmap that allows you to get things done in order of impact. If you get to the end of the day and you have time for the not important but you want to do anyway tasks great! But if you don’t at least you have done your top 3 most important tasks. This method not only ensures you tackle significant tasks first but also allows room for smaller, enjoyable pursuits without losing sight of the bigger picture.
0–5 Mins, 30 mins, 1 hour +
Another way you could organise your tasks is with time-batching. List out your tasks in order of tasks that will take 0–5 mins, 30 mins, and 1 hour +. This method will also help you time block the tasks into your day. By grouping similar tasks — whether they demand a mere five minutes, half an hour, or a more substantial hour — you streamline your workflow. This not only enhances efficiency but also minimizes the mental load of constant task switching.
Energy Driven Task Allocation
We move on to one of my favourite ways to organise my tasks. As a female, some days I wake full of beans, ready to take on the world, and other days I wake up and feel no energy at all. It fluctuates so much it’s hard to plan out a full week in advance because if I wake up feeling tired and I have planned lots of high-energy tasks for that day, I end up procrastinating all day and then feeling bad I didn’t start the 5 businesses I had planned to start that day. This is where I assign energy levels to tasks.
Cheetah Mode — For high energy level tasks, need a lot of mental power, or physical energy.
Steady Turtle Mode — For medium energy level tasks, still need a bit of mental power or physical energy but not loads.
Sloth Mode — Low energy tasks, require minimal effort, and you could do it from your sofa.
When you wake up, depending on how you feel tackle the tasks in the list based on your energy level. This way you feel less overwhelmed on the lower energy days and more productive. And you can really get things moving on your high-energy days, not wasting that energy on low-energy tasks.
I believe that not one task management system fits all. Experiment until you find what works for you. Find the rhythm that resonates most with your goals, values, and energy levels. Remember, it’s not just about getting things done; it’s about orchestrating your day with purpose and intent.
Happy Planning! ❤
