Sometimes, deciding which projects to focus your time and energy on first can take energy you don’t have (which is why we’ve got tips on how to do it). But even when you know what tasks need to be done, you still need to figure out how to prioritize them. Try the 3-3-3 method.
The 3 3 3 Productivity Hack: How to Have an Awesome Productive Day
This technique comes from Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals ($13.99). He advocates scheduling each workday according to a 3-3-3 model, where you first spend three hours doing deep work on your most important project. Then, complete three other pressing tasks that don't require three hours of focus. Finally, do three "maintenance" tasks, such as cleaning, answering emails, or scheduling other work.
To figure out which tasks are which, I recommend using a prioritization method like the Eisenhower Matrix, where you use a quadrant system to divide your responsibilities by urgency and importance. You’ll want to consider not only how timely the things you need to do are, but also how much resources they’ll consume.
What sets this method apart from other productivity hacks is those first three hours of deep work. If you do it first, you’ll be fresh, focused, and more likely to tackle a task without distractions. Keep those three hours free of emails, texts, chitchat, or other low-level tasks, if you can. (See a full guide to deep work here.)
