how to complete what you set out to do

You scroll through pages of to-do lists.

Everything is important.

It’s overwhelming and paralyzing.

Like me, you try list-making tools, apps, and planners.

Start one system, forget to use it, abandon it, and start another.

Don’t even want to try a new one because you’ve lost confidence it will work.

After years of trying hacks, there’s one strategy that has saved me.

It’s a time and sanity-saving tool…

The secret of top productivity experts…

That only super organized people know about…

Wait for it…Wait for it…

It. Is. A…

Sticky Note. 

Yup, the daily sticky note is my secret weapon. Without one I’m not nearly as effective or focused.

This technical strategy works like this:

Every morning grab a sticky note and write your Top 3: the three things you must get done that day.

It’s also known as a “Gotta Do” list.

Not “I should do”, “I might do”, “I wanna do”, or “I could do.”

It’s “I Gotta Do…no matter what.”

These are tasks you currently don’t do.

Don’t add “meditate” if it’s something you already do.

But do add:

• * Workout
• * Pay Pat’s invoice
• * Create and send contract

No matter what, before your head hits the pillow, those three tasks must be completed.

Why a sticky note?

It is visual.

It helps you focus and have clarity throughout the day.

I usually stick it on my screen as a visual anchor to keep me on task.

Narrowing tasks to three is tricky when hundreds are on your lists. So ask yourself:

What three things would make me feel most successful today?

Doing those things keeps you motivated and inspired.

You have goals you want to achieve.

But you get distracted, don’t complete them, and feel like a failure.

Over time this impacts self-esteem.

By focusing on your top 3 priorities, you complete what you set out to do.

You end each day feeling like a winner.

It motivates you to keep at it the next day and the day after that and the day after that.

Often the most powerful and effective tools are the simple ones.

Don’t overcomplicate it. Adopt this habit.

You will stay more focused.

You will feel less overwhelmed.

You will get more of the right things done.

It’s as simple as you want it to be.