The 1-2-3 Method
One essential task, two urgent ones, three maintenance items, then stop
Six items, handwritten, and no seventh. Number one is the single most essential thing of the day, framed as the most important person and the action to take for that person. Two more cover what is essential and urgent: deadlines, paperwork, the reply someone is waiting on. Three maintenance jobs close the list, the small ones that make life harder later if they slide. Unpacking the suitcase. Answering the contract email. Finish the six and the day is done, which most task systems never allow.
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- Greg McKeownDoes it
Author · Essentialism
Writes six items and no more. Number one is the most essential thing of the day, which he frames as the most important person and the action for that person, then two that are essential and urgent, then three maintenance jobs. Pen and paper, not an app. He does not manage it every day, he says, but more often than not.
Source: The Tim Ferriss Show #719 transcript
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