Use the 1-3-5 Rule to Start Meeting (and Exceeding) Your Writing Goals
This to-do list management system may be your answer to getting more writing done on a consistent schedule.
Is writing time the first task you eliminate from your schedule when your to-do list feels overloaded and numerous competing priorities are staring up at you? Basic to-do lists can grow longer and longer if we let them, so we’re constantly forced to reorganize and reprioritize our lists in the moment, while never actually finishing the whole list. If we let our task lists run rampant, we’ll never get to our want-to-do tasks.
That’s where the 1-3-5 Rule comes into play. It’s a simple strategy that can help keep your daily to-do list in check, and allow you room each day to incorporate writing-related tasks.
In this article, we will explain what the 1-3-5 Rule is, how to apply it to your schedule, and how to increase your writing productivity with the system.
What is the 1-3-5 Rule?
One of the common issues with to-do lists is that they can get so lengthy that there’s no possible way to get everything done in the day. So, the 1-3-5 Rule is a minimalist version of a to-do list. Essentially, it is a time management system created by Alex Cavoulacos, founder and president of Musely, that involves setting daily priorities in the form of one big task, three medium tasks, and five small tasks.
The idea of the rule is to help you focus on a specific number of objectives each day. This not only can help prevent feelings of overwhelm, but it can also ensure that you make real progress on different projects and responsibilities you have to juggle.
How to Apply the 1-3-5 Rule to Your Schedule
I like to make a master to-do list for the week on Sundays and then each evening I decide what is important enough to work on the next day. By making these decisions the day prior, I find I’m more realistic about my to-do list.
Factoring that information into the 1-3-5 Rule, take time each evening (or at the end of your workday) to sit down with your master to-do list for the week. Decide on your one big task, three medium tasks, and five small tasks for the next day.
When you finish your nine tasks each day, strike them from your master to-do list as well.
How to Include Writing Time in Your 1-3-5 Rule
To include writing tasks into your 1-3-5 schedule, remember that you get to decide the priority and size of your writing tasks.
For example, on Monday you may have enough time in your schedule to make “Write 1,000 words” your one big task for the day, and you then build in three medium tasks, and five small tasks around that writing goal. Whereas, on Thursday your schedule may require different priorities, and you can only make “Research subtropical flowers for my novel” as one of your five small tasks.
By assigning writing tasks to your 1-3-5 schedule based on the availability you have, you can more easily mix them in with your other daily responsibilities.
Get the Most Out of the 1-3-5 Rule
To maximize your 1-3-5 schedule, there are four ideas to keep in mind:
1. Make Your Writing Tasks SMART
When writing out your 1-3-5 schedule, be honest about the tasks you can accomplish. SMART goals, or specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals, will help narrow your focus.
For instance, instead of adding “Work on my manuscript” as your one big goal for the day, decide to “Write 1,000 words for Chapter 10,” as your big goal. This gives you a specific, measurable goal (1,000 words) that you’ve determined is achievable and relevant to your day. Plus, it’s time-bound because you’ve made it your one big goal to accomplish that day.
2. Avoid an All Or Nothing Approach With Your Writing
If you work, have a family, or have other responsibilities you need to make higher priorities during your day, that doesn’t mean you need to let writing tasks fall by the wayside if you can’t make it your big goal every day.
Think about how you can work writing tasks into your medium and small tasks, too. Try "Write 500 words for Chapter 5" as a medium goal or "Complete 45 minutes of revisions on Chapter 8" as a small goal.
Just because you don’t have time to sit down for hours and write your heart out doesn’t mean you can’t still be productive with writing tasks every day. Take advantage of those medium and small task windows of your day to still make progress with your book.
3. Write Down Your 1-3-5 Rule Each Day
Writing down your daily 1-3-5 list can help solidify your goals and serve as a visual aid of what you need to accomplish. Whether you prefer a digital or a handwritten list, choose the method that will work for you. Just don’t forget to cross off each item as you complete it; there’s nothing better than the feeling of striking through a task you completed!
4. Things Come Up, Be Flexible
The 1-3-5 Rule provides structure most of your days need, but some days may require priority shifts, so it's important to be able to adapt. If unexpected events arise, be willing to alter your plan. Flexibility is a big key to maintaining productivity when unforeseen circumstances arise.
Example of a 1-3-5 Schedule
Here’s one example of how you might use a 1-3-5 Rule in your day:
Monday
Big Task
Create slides 1–6 for board meeting
Medium Tasks
Client meeting
School pick up
Write 500 words for Chapter 10
Small Tasks
Clear out email inbox
Pick up dinner
Wash a load of laundry
Clean up kitchen
Read for 30 minutes before bed
Final Thoughts
Incorporating the 1-3-5 Rule into your daily routine may not only help you better prioritize your tasks each day, but it may also help you incorporate your writing tasks among other responsibilities.
Remember to keep your 1-3-5 tasks SMART. Work in medium and small writing tasks to avoid an all-or-nothing mentality, and also be flexible when your schedule requires a change.