The Real Reason You Feel Overwhelmed
If you’ve ever ended the day exhausted… but unsure what you actually accomplished, you're not alone.
Most ambitious people struggle with the same thing: Trying to do too much, too fast, with no real structure.
You’re juggling a job, a side hustle, your health, your personal life and everything feels like a priority.
But when everything’s a priority, nothing truly moves forward.
It’s not that you’re not working hard.
It’s that you’re working without a system.
You Don’t Need More Time, You Need More Clarity
That’s where this productivity shift comes in.
It’s called the 1-3-1 Rule. It’s a simple framework to cut through the noise, reduce daily decision fatigue, and help you consistently take action on the things that matter most.
The 1-3-1 Rule
It works like this:
1 Priority Task
This is your North Star for the day. The one thing that, if completed, would make you feel like the day was a win.
👉 Ask yourself: “What’s the most important thing I can do today?”3 Supporting Tasks
These are still important, but they don’t require deep work.
Think admin, smaller projects, or preparation for future priorities.1 Easy Win
This is your momentum booster. It’s a task you can tick off quickly (in under 10 minutes). It helps build early traction and a feeling of progress.
Why It Works
The 1-3-1 Rule simplifies your day by giving your brain clear lanes to operate in:
It limits cognitive overload
It reduces decision fatigue
It keeps your attention focused on impact, not activity.
Most people burn out not because they’re doing too little but because they’re spreading themselves too thin.
This system protects your energy and your progress.
What This Looks Like in Action
Here’s a real-world example for someone working on a side hustle while in a full-time role:
1 Priority Task: Write the week’s email newsletter
3 Supporting Tasks:
Post 2 carousels to Instagram
Reply to DMs
Schedule next week’s content
1 Easy Win: Tidy your workspace or plan tomorrow’s top 3 tasks.
The result?
You’re focused, structured, and making consistent progress…without the chaos.
How to Get Started
Write your 1-3-1 list at the end of each day so you start the next one with clarity.
Protect your deep work time for your one priority, ideally early in the day.
Track your completion rate each week and reflect on what’s working.
Don’t aim for perfection.
Aim for consistency and momentum will follow.
Final Thought: Do Less, But Do It Better
High performers don’t try to do everything…they do the right things, consistently.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, the solution isn’t working harder.
It’s simplifying.
It’s creating a system.
It’s doing less but doing it with intention.
🆘 I created a free Daily Growth Planner to help put give you structure in your day. Just sign up to my free weekly newsletter here.
“You can do anything, but not everything.” - David Allen
Til next time, Joseph @ 1% Growth
