Frequently Asked Questions About the 1-3-5 Rule
As you start to implement any new productivity system, questions will inevitably arise. Here are answers to some of the most common queries about the 1-3-5 rule to help you navigate the initial learning curve and adapt it to your specific needs.
What if my “big” task takes more than one day to complete?
This is a very common and excellent question. Very few significant projects can be completed in a single two-to-four-hour block. The key is to break the project down into smaller, concrete chunks. Your “1” big task for the day shouldn’t be “Write a book.” It should be “Outline Chapter 3” or “Write 2,000 words of the first draft.” For a large project like “Develop a new software feature,” your daily “1” might be “Code the user authentication module” one day and “Write the API documentation” the next. The 1-3-5 rule works best when the tasks are specific actions you can realistically complete within the day.
Is a specific app or tool required for this?
Absolutely not. This is one of the greatest strengths of the 1-3-5 rule. You can implement it with any tool you already use, or with no digital tool at all. A sticky note on your monitor, a page in a paper journal, or a simple text file on your computer are all perfectly sufficient. The power of this productivity hack is in the mental habit of prioritization, not in a fancy piece of software. The best tool is the one you will use consistently, so choose whatever has the least amount of friction for you.
What happens if I don’t finish everything on my list?
It’s important to view your 1-3-5 list as a guide, not a contract. Life is unpredictable, and there will be days when you don’t complete all nine tasks. This is not a failure; it is simply data. When your day ends, take 60 seconds to review what’s left. Was the task more complex than you estimated? Did an unexpected emergency arise? If an unfinished task is still important, simply move it to your list for the next day. The goal is progress, not perfection. Consistently finishing your “1” and a few other items is a massive success.
How do I handle unexpected urgent tasks that pop up?
Unexpected tasks are a fact of life. When a new “urgent” request arrives, the 1-3-5 framework gives you a tool for making a conscious decision. Before you drop everything, compare the new task to your existing list. Ask yourself: “Is this new item more important than my planned ‘1’ big task? Is it more important than one of my ‘3’ medium tasks?” Sometimes, the answer is yes. In that case, you can consciously swap it in. Other times, you’ll realize the “urgent” task can actually wait or can be delegated. The rule prevents you from reacting mindlessly and helps you protect your planned priorities.
What is “switching cost” and how does this rule help?
Switching cost, also called context switching, is the mental energy and time you lose when you shift your attention from one task to another. Every time you stop writing a report to answer a quick email and then try to go back to the report, your brain has to expend effort to reload the context of the original task. The 1-3-5 rule helps minimize this cost in two ways. First, by encouraging you to dedicate a large, protected block of time to your “1” big task, it promotes deep, uninterrupted focus. Second, by encouraging the batching of your “5” small tasks, it reduces the number of times you switch between different types of low-level work.
When should I quit a productivity hack if it’s not working?
Give any new system a fair trial, which is typically one to two weeks of consistent effort. This gives you time to get past the initial awkwardness. After that period, evaluate it honestly. Is the system adding more stress and overhead than it’s relieving? Does it genuinely feel incompatible with the nature of your work? If so, it might not be the right fit for you. The ultimate goal of any productivity hack is to reduce friction and increase your effectiveness and well-being. If a system consistently fails to do that, it’s okay to abandon it and try something else.
