The Ultimate Tactic In Prioritizing Tasks – The ONE Task Rule
Let’s face it, if you have had a to-do list for the last 6 months and have barely scratched a few things off that list, it’s clearly not serving you.
It’s time for you to get rid of that list. Yes, all of it.
Now, productivity experts would tell you that you could get more done by prioritizing your tasks properly. But if prioritization was the answer, you wouldn’t have a ginormous pile of stale to-dos, would you?
I say, screw prioritizing.
If you really want to get to the important stuff, the tasks that will help you move closer to your dreams, you have to make sure it is the only thing on your to-do list for the entire day.
Introducing, the ONE task rule
Just in case it isn’t clear what the ONE task rule is, let me put it in words I have written before, “work on the ONE task immediately, as early in the day as possible, and get it out of the way.”
The ONE task rule works wonders for me, and by lunchtime I have already won the day.
If you want to try it out, here’s what I suggest:
- Wipe out your entire to-do list (yes, really! And for God’s sake, please don’t start a new one)
- Put just ONE task on the page that you know you can get done first thing in the morning
- Get it done
- Celebrate like you won the first game of the world championships
What? You think celebrating just because you got one thing done is stupid?
Well, let me ask you this: Would you rather put 10 things on your list and not do a single one, or put ONE thing on it that gets done?
Yeah, that’s what I thought.
But be careful of hollow victories
It is vital that the ONE task you set for yourself is something that is important to you, and has a meaningful impact on your life.
You don’t want to fall into the trap of accomplishing unimportant tasks like laundry or cleaning (which might be urgent, but not important) when you really should have been prepping your resume for the new job you want to apply for.
You may feel like you have completely crushed it if you can get your ONE task done 10 days in a row, but if you don’t set the ONE task mindfully, you could end up crushing your dreams.
In my case, that ONE task for me today is self care. But I don’t just put “self care” on the list, I make it specific. For example, “drink a green smoothie for breakfast.” If I accomplish that I know I have taken care of myself, and even if it’s the only thing that I get done in the entire day, it doesn’t matter because self care is the most important thing for me.
Now that I’ve accomplished my ONE task for today by filling my belly with yummy spinach-apple-banana-lime goodness, I’m feeling accomplished and working on this blog post. But if I don’t finish the blog, I will still count today as a win.
You may have different priorities depending on what situation or stage of life you are in. But if you aren’t sure what the ONE task is for you, there is one thing you can do to figure it out.
Find your source of energy
You know that feeling you get when you check off a big bucket list item? Like completing a marathon, or taking off on your first solo backpacking trip?
Doesn’t it just feel like you can take on the world? Have you felt the energy just bursting out of you in those moments?
A similar thing happens every time you check something off our to-do list. Your brain releases the “I feel good” chemicals, making you feel like you’ve accomplished something. That is why people use to-do lists — to get that boost of energy.
The things that are most important to you provide the biggest boosts of energy compared to accomplishing tasks that just aren’t as meaningful. That is why it is important to get that big energy boost early in the day. Once you’re charged up, you will be better prepared to face whatever the rest of the day throws at you.
The ONE task, if selected carefully, will charge you up the moment you finish it. Usually, that ONE task is related to big dream you have or a major problem you are dealing with.
- Want to write a book? Get your creative juices flowing by writing 1 page.
- Want to calm your mind? Put your calm on by meditating for 10 min (I suggest Headspace).
- Need to move physically to shake off the lethargy? Pump up your mojo with a 20 minute run.
- Afraid of tackling the day unprepared? Get out a diary and plan the heck out of it.
By making self care my ONE task I get that energy boost early in the morning, which ensures that I always approach my next thing with a higher level of energy and enthusiasm. This means I can put high quality time into doing that next thing. And as any productivity blogger worth her salt will tell you, the quality of time you put into a task is worth more than the quantity.
Keep it simple stupid sister
I’m not perfect, and as guilty as anybody of having so many things on my plate that life just seems to be spinning out of control and headed for a crash. You can even see a pic of my crazy looking to-do list in my post on conquering your to-do list overwhelm (ironic, I know).
When things get too tough to handle, I only focus on my ONE task — self care. I am happy to let other things slide until I feel I have the energy to deal with them. Having burned out catastrophically once, and not-so-catastrophically numerous other times, I have learned to prioritize self care.
Don’t dig yourself into a hole by trying out a new productivity tactic or a new to-do list app every other week. Figure out one big thing you want to do in your life right now and use it as a guide to set your ONE task for the day. That’s it.
Day after day, as you go on accomplishing your ONE task your brain will start pumping out more of the “I feel good” chemicals, your energy levels will rise and your anxiety will fade away, and soon you will start feeling like nothing is impossible.
The barriers that held you back will melt away in front of your eyes, and each day will bring you closer to realizing your biggest dreams.
So, what are you waiting for?
Glory awaits, go forth and conquer the new day.
Don’t know how to figure out what your ONE task is, and how you can use it to start your journey toward realizing your big dreams? Check out my Reclaim Your Life course.
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