In today's fast-paced life, finding yourself buried under a mountain of tasks is common, leading to a feeling of always playing catch-up. The real issue isn't how much time we have, but how we choose which tasks to tackle first. The secret to getting ahead isn't better time management—it's better priority management.

Understanding Priority Management

The core idea is straightforward: we can only focus on one task at a time, making the order of tasks more critical than the time spent on them. If you often feel like you're struggling with time management, the real challenge might be with setting priorities. Recognizing which tasks should come first is the key to taking back control of your time and tasks.

You should also listen to our podcast "How to Better Manage Your Time", which is available here and also at the end of this post.

Tricking Your Brain into Calm

Ever felt overwhelmed by a long list of tasks, as if you're carrying a heavy load? Interestingly, science shows there's a simple trick to feeling lighter without even starting on those tasks: writing down when you’ll do them.

When we plan our tasks—by making a list for today or scheduling them in the calendar for later —we feel an emotional sense of relief that’s nearly identical to what you would feel from having completed the task.

A study in the Psychological Science journal discovered that planning the task affects the same part of the brain as completing it, so the sense of “control” over what it is is also the same.

A Simple 3-Step Guide To Conquer Your To-Do List

Getting started on tasks can often feel like the hardest part, much like how a car uses more fuel to start moving than to keep going. Once you're moving, it's easier to keep up the momentum, similar to a car using less gasoline and energy on the highway versus when you’re constantly stopping in a local town.

To make getting started less daunting, here's an easy three-step method to boost your productivity without feeling swamped:

1. Identify Your Top 3 Tasks: Start every day by picking the three most important tasks that need to be accomplished that day. NOTE: If you’re having trouble figuring out what those 3 tasks are, then just spend 5 minutes writing down every “to-do” you can think of. This is called a "brain dump" and you can read more about it here: "Quiet Your Racing Mind With This Simple Technique" After you’re done making the list - review the list to identify the MOST IMPORTANT task. For help prioritizing a larger list, check out our post on "How to Simplify Your To-Do List."
   

2. Write Them Down: There's real power in putting pen to paper. Writing down these three specific tasks in the order you want to complete them not only reinforces your intention to complete them but also increases your chances of doing so. According to a university study, people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them than those who do not write them down. 
   

3. Focus on One Task at a Time: Work on these tasks one by one, starting with the most crucial. Avoid the urge to multitask. Concentrating on a single task at a time not only boosts your efficiency but also the quality of your output. Read more about this strategy in our post “How to Get More Done in Less Time: Mastering Personal Efficiency”

Following these 3 steps can help you overcome the initial hurdle of starting and keep you moving smoothly toward your goals.

Taking the First Step

By focusing on just the three key tasks you need to do each day, you're not only making a plan—you're setting yourself up to get more done and feel great about it.

But this is just the beginning. There's a whole world of tips and tricks out there to get even better at managing your time and figuring out what needs to come first.

Starting with these three important tasks every day can make a big difference in how you see your to-do list. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you can start to see your tasks as small wins you can achieve every day.

Why not start this new approach today? Or, if you like the idea of beginning with a fresh day, make your plan tomorrow morning. Writing down your three main tasks is a quick and simple action that can lead to big changes in how you handle your time and tasks. Let's take this journey one step and three tasks at a time.

Also, take a listen to our podcast episode "How to Better Manage Your Time" below, which unpacks t his concept more deeply.

We'd love to hear from you! Have you tried focusing on your top three tasks for the day? Did it help make your day better? Drop your thoughts and questions in the comments below. Let's work together towards better productivity, sharing tips and support along the way.