The Rule of Three Tactic
Let's start planing like a pro using the infamous Rule of Three. Not sure what that means? Well, good news, you're in the right place, friend!
Listen, I know how it goes. Each day you have 10 million things on your checklist, right? Throughout the day they seem to keep tacking on but you feel like you’re checking them off. It’s like the old saying: 1 step forward but 2 steps back.
You feel like you're kinda making progress, but your brain says “HA, you thought you were done for the day.” It’s stressful, frustrating, and overwhelming but it’s time to stop that cycle.
We seem to use just about everything we can get our hands on to do a "brain dump". Know, I'm not knocking the good ole brain dump, there is a time and place, but not in our daily lives! Daily brain dumps look a little like this: our to-do list is everywhere - on sticky notes (like lots of them), apps on our phones, pieces of paper - and sometimes that leads to more anxiety than anything esle.
Sometimes these methods feel great, but they don’t help you get your list checked off. It’s time to work with intention to ensure what needs to get done, actually gets done (on time, and correctly).
The Discovery
After a little bit of researching on productivity (which is never-ending lol), I stumbled upon the rule of three. If you have heard of the rule of three, I praise you, because I wish I knew this sooner in life. If you haven’t, welcome to the most beautiful thing this week has brought your way! The concept of the rule of 3 has been around for ages. Many productivity bloggers have been preaching it like Leo Babauta of Zen Habits, Gina Trapani of Lifehacker, and Chris Baley of The Productivity Project.
What is it?
Here is the rule of three – focus on the “big picture” goal at the end of each day, week, month, and even year. Yep, that's it, pick three things a day, week, month, and year. Having the clarity to know what you want out of your day is seriously life-altering. I promise, once you try (like actually make a good effort) you will get hooked on the feeling of productivity and accomplishment. Let’s align our energy, time, and goals. The rule of three in detail…
Here we go:
- At the beginning of each day, week, and month sit down and determine what you want to be done at the end of each day, week, and month. An easy way to do this is to visualize your “future self.” So I’m not the biggest on visualization, but think of it this way – what would your future self be excited to have done when you crawl into bed tonight?
- Write them down on paper. The power of a piece of paper is insane! If you know me, you know that I am craaazy about writing things down on actual paper. Don’t let this list of 3 get lost in all your notes on your phone!
- Repeat each week/day/month.
That. Is. It. Whoa.
In Action
Okay, before you freak out on me, know that this is possible! I know that all of you are juggling so much all the time, but you need to focus. Focusing in helps drown out the everyday “noise”. It gives you a crystal clear look into what your day/week/month will bring your way. At first, you can try having three “big” items and break them down into three little subitems until you feel comfortable enough to stick with just 3 items. Focus, Breathe, Execute.
Okay, so Why is Three soooo Special?
Why 3? Why not 2 or 7? Well, we are used to “threes”. Growing up everything around us seemed to be in groups of 3. Think about it:
- the beginning, the middle, the end
- blood sweat and tears
- ready, set, go
- lights, camera, action
- the good, the bad, the ugly
- life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
- the three musketeers
- three, two, one…GO TEAM!
- three strikes…and you’re out
- three blind mice
…to just name a few. Funny to think about? I felt the same way.
Try It
Just try it tomorrow morning and see how it goes! At first, I found it better to list the 3 big tasks, then break them down into 3 little subtasks. Over time, it becomes easier to execute. Share your list with us, we are cheering you on #plurnal or #plurnalbigthree