Overwhelmed? Here’s the Only Productivity Trick that Actually Works for Me
The 3-Item Rule
Ever feel like you’re doing everything and still falling behind?
Like your to-do list has babies while you sleep?
Overwhelm — thy name is the modern person.
Our lists grow. Nothing feels finished. It’s exhausting.
When life seems like there’s too much to do and not enough of me to do it, I rely on one stupid-simple trick.
It’s so simple, I’m almost embarrassed to write it down.
But read it — then read why I believe it works. Hopefully, you’ll try it and get the kind of relief I have.
✅ The 3-Item Rule
Pick exactly three things to do. No more. No less.
Do them.
Only then — and only then — pick three more.
No swapping. No adding. No “just this one other thing.”
Why It Works
You’ll naturally pick the things that are time-sensitive or important.
You won’t distract yourself with busy work, because you’re not allowed to move on until those three are done.
And let’s be honest — crossing things off your list feels good. That little dopamine hit reinforces momentum.
Three things doesn’t feel overwhelming.
It feels doable.
You’re allowed to ignore everything else — for now — because your entire focus is just those three.
You won’t choose impossible items like “clean the whole house and keep it clean forever” — because that would trap you. This method forces you to break tasks down into manageable, finishable actions.
How I Use It
Every morning, I think about what I want to accomplish. It always feels like too much.
But then I count out three things. That is manageable. That is doable.
Sometimes they’re a mix of important and simple:
Take my vitamins (I always forget)
Work on a project for one hour
Journal for ten minutes
I know there are bigger things waiting. But I can’t touch them until those three are done.
Two of them are quick. I knock them out. I sit down at my computer, set a timer for an hour, and finish the third.
Then I pick three more.
And you know what? The next set doesn’t feel so difficult— because I’ve already done something. I’ve taken action. I’ve built momentum.
That’s it.
Pick three. Do three. Rinse and repeat.
Let me know if you try this — or if you already have a system that works for you. I love learning how other people tame the chaos.