The 1–3–5 Rule

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Ever crossed off 20 items from a to-do list and still felt unaccomplished?

Enter the 1–3–5 Rule, a framework originally conceived in Silicon Valley to combat the ‘busy’ trap.

One big task. This is the mammoth. It’s daunting. It’s significant. But it’s pivotal.

Dedicating focus to that ONE task first means you’re prioritizing impact over activity.

For instance, if you’re a content creator, this could be creating the core content for your next campaign.

Then there’s the THREE. Your sub-projects. Supportive, but not overshadowing the main task. For a marketer, these might include: analyzing recent campaign metrics, tweaking the upcoming content calendar, and reaching out to potential collaborators.

Not as mammoth as the big task, but they create the broader context for it.

Next, the FIVE. Think of them as your task garnish. Smaller chores that are easier to accomplish but essential in the grand scheme of things. Replying to emails, scheduling a team check-in, ordering supplies, or even clearing up your workspace.

While they might seem minuscule, they ensure the smoother flow of larger tasks.

In the noisy echo chambers of productivity, the common refrain is to do more.

But Silicon Valley’s 1–3–5 Rule takes a stand: Do what matters.

Remember the wise words of Peter Drucker: “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.”

In applying the 1–3–5 framework,

• First, list down everything you aim to accomplish.
• Segregate them: Which is the behemoth task? What are the supportive three? What minor five can you sprinkle throughout the day?
• Start with the big one. It not only creates momentum but also gives a clear direction.

This isn’t about merely ‘being busy’.

It’s about effective allocation, understanding the hierarchy of tasks, and setting a clear action path for the day.

So, next time you find yourself drowning in tasks, think Silicon Valley. Think 1–3–5.

Because in the world of endless to-dos, it’s not about how much you tick off, but what you tick off that truly moves the needle.