Tame Your To-Do List: Use the 1-3-5 Rule to Help You Plan a More Peaceful Week

For many professionals and business owners, the list of responsibilities seems endless—and everything feels urgent. In a recent study, Mercer, an HR consulting firm, reports that 80% of workers may be at risk of burnout. There are no magic fixes, but what if there was a simple, proven way to bring structure to your week and reduce your mental clutter?

Woman calmly standing in front of a white wall with her arms folded

Enter the 1-3-5 Rule—a time management method that helps you prioritize what really matters without burning out.

Have You Heard of the 1-3-5 Rule?

The 1-3-5 Rule is a simple framework for daily planning that helps you organize and schedule your tasks based on their size. Each day, you plan to do at least nine tasks:

• 1 Large Task (takes 3–4 hours)

• 3 Medium Tasks (1–2 hours each)

• 5 Small Tasks (under an hour)

Instead of trying to do everything, you focus on what’s realistically achievable. This method helps you stay productive without overloading your schedule.

Before we step more into the mechanics of the process, you may wonder, "I have so much to do, how can I afford to focus only on a single large task?"

It’s a fair question—and one that many high-achievers ask. So let's take a brief look at some of the benefits of focusing on a single large task each day.

The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. - Stephen Covey

Four Benefits of Focusing on a Single Large Task

When we try to tackle multiple big projects in a single day, it often leads to burnout, scattered focus, and unfinished work. By intentionally choosing just one large task to focus on each day, you’re opening up a space to place your undivided attention on what matters. Here are some additional reasons why this method is so powerful:

1. It Honors Your Energy Levels

   Large tasks require deep focus and creative energy. By committing to just one, you’re aligning your schedule with your natural energy rhythms. This is especially important when you are balancing multiple roles across your personal and professional life.

   
   

2. It Reduces Decision Fatigue

   When you know your “one big thing” each day, it’s easier to protect your time and set boundaries. You don't have to determine how/if you can fit an additional request into your schedule, you can say, “I’d love to help, but today I’m focused on a key project.” If you do decide to take on another large task, you know that you have to move what you'd already planned to another day.

   
   

3. It Encourages Strategic Thinking

   By planning ahead, you avoid the trap of spending your entire day just reacting to the latest fire, you’re choosing what you will work so that you can ensure your long-term goals get done. Picking one large task forces you to ask: What will move the needle this week?

   
   

4. It Creates Breathing Room

   Life is unpredictable. A last-minute client call, a tech issue, or personal errand may take longer than we anticipate. By not overloading your day, you leave space for the life surprises without derailing your long-term progress. It also provides a space for creativity and reflection because you won't feel as rushed.

The Power of Small Wins

When you have a hectic homelife, demanding career, or are busy running a business, your time is precious. Putting systems in place help you prioritize the most important items on your to-do list by providing a clear, repeatable structure.

By planning and tracking smaller tasks, you can move along other projects that require maintenance even when you can't devote large chunks of time to them. As you cross off even your small wins, it builds momentum and fuels your motivation to complete the next item.

Download Your Free Weekly Planner

To make this method even easier, we’ve created a free Weekly Planner Template that’s designed with the 1-3-5 Rule in mind. It includes space to:

• Set your weekly priorities

• Break down tasks by size

• Plan each weekday with intention

👉 Download the Weekly Planner Template and start your week with clarity and confidence.

If you want a quick walkthrough, join one of our upcoming Time Management webinars where we'll discuss how to use the 1-3-5 Rule and other time management techniques. You'll leave with practical tips you can use immediately.

Want More Support?

If you need more personal, hands-on support, book a 1-on-1 session or a free consultation to discuss ongoing support or other ways we can help you work smarter.

We hope to hear from you soon! In the meantime, let us know what other methods you use to stay on track.