189: How Does the 1-3-5 Rule Work? A Simple Daily Productivity Framework

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How Does the 1-3-5 Rule Work? A Simple Daily Productivity Framework

Feeling overwhelmed by endless to-do lists? In this episode of Thrive in Five, business coach Cindy Gordon explains exactly how the 1-3-5 rule works as a daily productivity framework that transforms chaos into focused action.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How the 1-3-5 method works: 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, 5 small tasks per day
• Why limiting yourself to 9 daily tasks makes you more productive than trying to do 20
• How to categorize tasks by importance and effort for maximum impact
• Why the 1-3-5 rule is perfect for entrepreneurs and ADHD professionals
• How to use this daily task management system to prevent overwhelm

Perfect for: Overwhelmed entrepreneurs, busy professionals, ADHD individuals, and anyone whose to-do list feels impossible to complete.

Episode Highlights: "When you don't have a clear framework for prioritizing your day, your brain treats everything as equally important. This creates decision fatigue, overwhelm, and that constant feeling that you're always behind."

"The magic of the 1-3-5 rule isn't just about limiting your commitments - it's about creating a balanced day that works with your natural energy patterns."

Transform your chaotic to-do list into focused daily action with this simple but powerful productivity framework.

👉 Tag @ExclusivelyCindy on Instagram/Facebook and share how you're using this tip as an overwhelmed entrepreneur - I'd love to connect and hear your story!

💡 Don't forget to subscribe for more quick productivity tips for overwhelmed business owners and female entrepreneurs!

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The OVERWHELM CURE - Beat entrepreneur overwhelm in one hour! Perfect for overwhelmed business owners who need fast results - https://exclusivelycindy.thrivecart.com/the-overwhelm-cure/

Daily Success Framework - Productivity system for overwhelmed entrepreneurs: https://stan.store/cindygordon/p/get-my-daily-success-framework-now

Get your Printable Success Affirmation Cards for Business Owners here: https://stan.store/cindygordon/p/success-affirmation-cards-digital-download

Connect with Cindy Gordon - Reality Check Method Coach for Overwhelmed Entrepreneurs:

• Website: ExclusivelyCindy.com
• Instagram: ...

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
You're looking at your to-dolist with 17 things on it, and
you already feel defeated beforethe day even begins.
Sound familiar?
Here's the thing, your brain canonly handle so much before it
goes into overwhelm mode andshuts down completely.
But there's a simple dailyproductivity framework called
the 1 3 5 Rule.
That can transform your chaoticto-do list into a focused,

(00:23):
achievable daily plan.
In this episode of Thriventfive, I'll show you exactly how
the 1 3 5 Rule works and whylimiting yourself to just nine
tasks can actually make you moreproductive than tackling 20
Welcome back to Thrive in Five,where I give you a quick burst

(00:43):
of motivation and productivityin five minutes or less.
I'm Cindy, your host, aself-made entrepreneur, busy
mom, and a business coach.
I've built and sold severaldigital businesses ranging from
five to six figure successes.
So when it comes to managingtime and priorities in both life
and work, I get it.
I've been there and I am here tohelp you thrive.

(01:07):
so let's talk about what happenswhen you try to do everything at
once.
Maybe you write down 15 tasks inthe morning, thinking that
somehow today will be differentand you'll magically complete
them all.
Maybe you bounce betweenprojects without finishing
anything, or you spend so muchtime deciding what to work on
next that you waste half yourday in decision paralysis.

(01:27):
Or maybe you're someone who getsdistracted by every urgent task
that pops up leaving yourimportant work untouched.
Here's what's really happening.
When you don't have a clearframework for prioritizing your
day, your brain treatseverything as equally important.
This creates decision fatigue.
Overwhelm and the constantfeeling that you're always

(01:48):
behind.
You end up being busy, but notproductive.
You're moving, but not makingprogress.
The problem isn't that you needmore time, it's that you need a
better system for focusing yourenergy on what actually matters.
Over the years, I've builtseveral businesses while
managing my family.
I've tested just about everyproductivity system that you can

(02:10):
imagine.
The 1 3 5 Rule has quicklybecome one of my favorites
because it is the perfectbalance between structure.
And flexibility.
It gives me enough focus to makereal progress while being
realistic about humanlimitations.
When I teach this framework tooverwhelmed entrepreneurs, it's
often the first time that theyfinish their daily priorities

(02:32):
without feeling scattered orguilty about what didn't get
done.
So here's how the 1 3 5 Ruleworks as your daily productivity
framework.
It's beautifully simple.
Every day you commit tocompleting one big task.
Three medium tasks, and fivesmall tasks.
That's it.
Nine total items strategicallychosen by importance and effort.

(02:57):
First, you choose your one bigtask.
This is your most important workfor the day.
The one thing that if everythingfalls apart, you still feel good
about accomplishing it.
It's usually something thatrequires deep focus and takes
significant time, but moves yourbiggest priorities forward for a
small business owner, this mightmean you're working on a

(03:19):
presentation for a key client orwriting a proposal or having an
important strategicconversation.
The key is that it's trulyimportant and not just urgent.
Next, you're gonna identify yourthree medium tasks.
These are important, but lesstime intensive than your big
task.
They might take 30 to 60 minuteseach require some focus, but

(03:40):
they are not your make or breakpriorities.
These are things like.
Returning important calls,reviewing a contract, preparing
for tomorrow's meeting, or doinga weekly business review.
These tasks matter for keepingyour business running smoothly,
but they won't derail your wholeentire day if one gets pushed to
tomorrow.

(04:01):
And finally, you list out yourfive small tasks.
These are your quick wins,things that take 15 minutes or
less, but still need to getdone.
Sending that follow up email,updating your calendar, ordering
supplies, or scheduling anappointment.
These tasks often create mentalclutter when they're left
undone, but they are easy toknock out between bigger

(04:23):
priorities.
The magic of the 1 3 5 Ruleisn't just about limiting your
commitments.
It's about creating a balancedday that works with your natural
energy patterns.
You start with your big task.
When your focus is thestrongest, you do the medium
tasks to maintain momentum andyou fill in the gaps with the
smaller tasks to clear mentalclutter.

(04:45):
I use the 1 3 5 productivityframework every week, and I've
seen how it can transition myclients in their approach to
their work as well.
Another client with A DHDrecently told me that the 1 3 5
rule gave her brain thestructure that it needed to stay
focused instead of jumpingbetween tasks randomly.
The beauty of this daily taskmanagement system is that it's

(05:08):
flexible enough to handle theunexpected priorities while
keeping you anchored to what'struly important.
The systematic approach to dailyplanning is actually one of the
foundational principles that Iteach in My Overwhelm Cure
program because you can't buildan effective business without
first mastering your dailyfocus.
So here is your challenge.

(05:29):
Tomorrow morning.
Before you do anything, writedown your 1, 3, 5 for the day.
One big task that absolutelymust get done.
Three medium task.
That will keep things movingforward and five tasks to clear
the mental clutter, then workthrough them in the order of
importance and not urgency.
You don't need superhumanproductivity.

(05:50):
To build a successful business,you need a system that works
with your brain instead ofagainst it.
The 1 3 5 Rule gives youpermission to be human while
still making consistent progresson what matters most.
Nine.
Intentional tasks will alwaysbeat 17 random ones.
You've got this.
Thanks for tuning into theThrive in Five podcast.

(06:12):
If you found value in today'sepisode, I'd love for you to
leave a review.
It helps more listeners discoverthe show and don't forget to
subscribe so you never miss adose of productivity,
motivation, and success tips.
And hey, share this episode witha friend that could use a little
extra inspiration.
Until next time, keep thriving.
And remember, you've got this.