I first blogged about the 1, 3, 5 List Method, a plan to get things done whether that's cleaning out the garage or writing a book, in May 2020, just as CoVid was rearing its ugly head in Houston.
Then I did an update, 79 Days of Using 1, 3, 5 List in July 2020 because this plan literally changed my life!
Now, it's been 18 months since I started using the 1, 3, 5 List Method. I think it's time for an update.
First, a caveat. I used it sporadically from May to September because (a) I was moving and working with contractors on remodeling our new home, (b) I had a daughter who was seriously ill with CoVid, and (c) my office was buried under boxes and piled up papers until the end of September.
The Rules of 1-3-5 List MethodWrite down 1 big awesome task.This is your priority item. This is what you say you really want to do, but you don't seem to be making any progress on it.
You know what it is even though you may think you have 5-10 priority items to accomplish today. Be honest. What's the most important thing you need to do to get that 1 big awesome task? It's the one that will yield the greatest rewards when completed.
Write down 3 medium tasks that should be done before the day is over.Write down 5 little things that should be done IF you can get to them.It's as simple as that.
When you finish your workday, make tomorrow's 1-3-5 list. That way when you get to your desk tomorrow, you know exactly what needs to be done first.
No pondering or sighing because something landed in your inbox or you received a text that you think needs to be answered asap. If it's not on your list, ask yourself if it really needs to be done before your 1 big awesome task.
How Did This Change My Life
I'll skip forward to 2021. I used this fabulous little method from January through May. Every day. This is what I achieved.
1. Wrote and published
Every Little Lie, a romance novel with women's fiction elements and a bit of a mystery, on Feb. 28, 2021.
3. Published a free ebook, an introduction to the
Last Chance Beach Romance series on May 20, 2021. (Get your free copy today.
4. Wrote and published a novel,
Deceptively Yours, a long novel with a big mystery, a part of the
Last Chance Beach Romance series, on May 23, 2021.
5. Listed our house for sale. Sold it in a week. Bought another house. Packed up our entire household.
Moving Suspended Method
Then we moved. Enough said. If you've ever moved, you know the kind of chaos it creates in one's life.
I didn't unpack the last box until a week before Thanksgiving. I managed to get my office set up before then, but my desk was covered with papers and other detritus that couldn't be immediately put away for whatever reason.
I was thrilled when I found my 2021 Diary in a box of office supplies.
Onward and Upward
With Thanksgiving over and my 2021 Planner in hand, I made my 1, 3, 5 List for today. It was a good feeling.
You don't have to use a day planner, journal, or blank book, but I find using a day planner like the one shown here keeps me on task. In fact, I just ordered my 2022 planner. It's the same as the one shown here. I've used this diary/planner product for 3 years, and I like it.
The one for 2022 is black faux leather and was only $16.99 when I
ordered from Amazon just now.
I'll do another update after New Year's and tell you if I've accomplished the items on my goal list for the remaining weeks of the year.
Takeaway Truth
If you're having difficulty accomplishing things, I urge you to try this simple method. I'm not the one who created it, but I am one of many who use it succcessfully.
