Stop Getting Distracted by Your To-Do List

Some days I feel like I’m checking off tasks nonstop—but towards the end of the day, there might be a really important task that somehow isn’t done. That’s where a simple 1-2 minute habit made a big difference for me: choosing my top three priorities first. In this newsletter, I’m walking through the method I use and how it helps me focus.

Why Lists Aren’t Enough

I love writing things down—whether it's in ClickUp or on a sticky note. Getting all those ideas, reminders, and to-dos out of my head and onto paper feels good—and it’s important to do a brain dump.

But I’ve found that just having a list doesn’t mean I’ll do the right things first. It’s way too easy to burn through the quick tasks and leave the important ones until later… or never.

That’s why I started using a very simple approach to keep myself on track: picking the top three things that matter most. It doesn’t take long, but it changes how I move through the day.

This Week’s Favorite

My 3-Step Prioritization Habit

Here’s what I do to stay focused and avoid decision fatigue:

1. Write everything down – I usually use a small notecard or my journal. If you like digital tools, that’s fine too—just make sure you can see the full list in one place.

2. Pick your top 3 – Out of everything on the list, I circle the three that are most important for today. These might be things with deadlines, high impact tasks, or items I’ve been avoiding but really need to handle.

3. Number them – I’ll go a step further and label them 1, 2, and 3 in the order I want to do them. Doing this helps stay focused when you glance at the list or start to wander…

Once those three are done—or I’ve made good progress—I can reassess. I might pick another batch of three or take care of smaller things. But the biggest shift? I no longer feel lost in the noise of a big list and I’ve found it makes a noticeable difference.

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P.S. Looking for resources to improve your productivity? Check out the tools I use right here.