Planning
The Big 3: plan your day in two minutes
5 min read · Updated
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Big 3: pick three things that would make today a good day, and do them first.
- Three fits in a real day, forces a choice and can actually be finished.
- Pick one important thing, one someone is waiting for, and one that makes tomorrow easier.
- Choose them the evening before and decide when you will do each one.
Most mornings start with a question you never answer: what should I do first?
So you open your email. And the day decides for you.
The Big 3 is the simplest fix we know. It takes two minutes, and it changes how the whole day feels.
Three things. If they're done, today was a good day.
What is the Big 3?
Every morning, or the evening before, you pick three things that would make today a good day. Not everything you could do. Just three.
They go on top. Everything else waits until those three are done.
That's the whole method. The trick is in choosing them well.
Why three and not ten?
Because ten is a wish list. Three is a plan.
- Three fits in a real day, between meetings, kids and everything that comes up.
- Three forces a choice. You have to decide what matters, instead of listing everything.
- Three can be finished. And a finished list feels very different from "seven left". More on that in why to-do lists make you feel behind.
Ten things on today's list means you've already decided to fail at seven.
Everything in sight. On one board.
Tasks, notes, photos and plans as cards on one calm board. No charge today. Cancel anytime.
Start 7 days freeOr see all templates →How do I pick my three?
Ask three questions, one for each slot:
- What would I regret not doing today? The important thing that keeps getting pushed back.
- What is someone waiting for? A reply, a quote, a decision.
- What will make tomorrow easier? Booking, preparing, sorting.
Not every day needs all three types. But if all three of your things are "answer emails", look again.
How big should each thing be?
Small enough to finish today. Big enough to matter.
- Too big: Write the report.
- Just right: Write the first page of the report.
- Too small: Open the report file.
When should I choose them?
The evening before works best for most people. You still know what happened today, and tomorrow you start instead of deciding.
It also helps to decide when you'll do each one. Psychologists Peter Gollwitzer and Paschal Sheeran found that people who plan when and where they'll act follow through clearly more often than people who only intend to.
What about everything else?
It doesn't disappear. It goes on its own card: this week, waiting on, later. In sight, but not in the way.
When your three are done, pull in one more. Then you're ahead, not behind.
Everything feeling urgent at once? Read how to stay focused when everything feels urgent.
Why on a board and not on paper?
Paper works, until you're not at your desk. On a board, your Big 3 is on your phone, next to the week, your notes and the things you're waiting for.
You see everything once, pick three, and then you only look at today.
Your two-minute Big 3
Screenshot this:
- What would I regret not doing?
- Who is waiting on me?
- What makes tomorrow easier?
- Small enough to finish today?
- When will I do each one?
Tonight, before bed, write down tomorrow's three. Just three.
Questions
What is the Big 3 method?
Each day you pick three things that would make the day a good day. They go first; everything else waits until they are done.
Why only three tasks a day?
Three fits in a real day, forces you to choose what matters and can actually be finished, which feels much better than an unfinished long list.
How do I choose my three tasks?
Ask what you would regret not doing, who is waiting on you, and what would make tomorrow easier.
When should I plan my Big 3?
The evening before works best for most people, so you can start the morning instead of deciding.
What happens to everything else on my list?
It moves to its own place, like this week, waiting on or later. When your three are done, you pull in one more.
Sources
Try it on your own board.
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