Hey, Reader!

I’ve never been a fan of “The Big 3.”

You know the advice — every productivity coach seems to say it: “Pick your three most important tasks for the day and crush them.”

I get why it’s popular. It sounds simple. It sounds focused.

But in real life? It often creates more pressure than progress.

Some days I only need to accomplish one thing. Other days it’s four. And some days the most important thing is simply to rest and recover.

Forcing a fixed number doesn’t respect the reality of life — or the reality of what actually needs to get done.

Why I Stopped Forcing “The Big 3”

I used to feel guilty if I didn’t hit exactly three big tasks. If I only got one done, I felt like I failed. If I got four done, I still wondered if I should have picked different ones.

That guilt is the opposite of productive.

After years of coaching clients and living this myself, I realized the goal isn’t to hit an arbitrary number. The goal is to move the needle on what actually matters — even if that number changes day to day.

What I Do Instead

I focus on what needs to get done, not the number.

Here’s my simple approach:

• At the end of each day (or first thing in the morning), I ask: “What’s the one thing — or the few things — that will move me forward the most?”
• I write them down without forcing a specific count.
• If it’s one big project, that’s enough.
• If it’s four smaller but important tasks, that’s fine too.
• The key is clarity and honesty, not hitting a magic number.

This keeps me flexible. Some days my energy is high and I can handle more. Other days life throws curveballs (a family need, an unexpected client issue, or just low energy), and one focused task is plenty.

The result? Less guilt, more real progress, and a much healthier relationship with productivity.

A Gentle Reminder

You are not a machine. Your days are not identical. Your energy, responsibilities, and priorities shift.

Giving yourself permission to do what actually needs to get done — instead of forcing “The Big 3” — is one of the kindest and most effective things you can do for your long-term productivity.

Your Turn

This week, try dropping the pressure of a fixed number.

At the start or end of your day, simply ask: “What needs to get done today to move me forward?”

Write it down. Do what you can. Give yourself grace for the rest.

How does this feel compared to forcing “The Big 3”? Reply and tell me — I read every single one.

If you want help figuring out what actually needs to get done in your life right now (and how to do it without the guilt or rigid rules), reply with your biggest current struggle. I’ll personally book you a 5-minute Clarity Fit Chat to sort through it.

You’ve got this. Keep it simple, keep it real.

Mark