![\"I](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/I-tried-the-1-3-5-rule-to-stay-on-top-of-my-schedule-cover.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat is the 1-3-5 rule?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Describing the 1-3-5 rule is relatively easy \u2014 but putting it into practice can be challenging due to the intangible nature of this productivity technique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In essence, the 1-3-5 stands for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 1 large,<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 3 medium<\/strong>, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 5 small <\/strong>tasks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
At first glance, it sounds like you\u2019re ordering a full-course meal at a restaurant \u2014 you have your main alternating meals, appetizers, salads, drinks, and desserts. And they all have a predefined portion size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then, when you inspect this productivity technique further, you realize that that\u2019s exactly what it is \u2014 a full-course meal meant to fill up your appetite for productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Namely, the 1-3-5 rule states that, to stay productive during a business day, you\u2019ll have to block out your activities and responsibilities by their:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Priority,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Size, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Difficulty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The 1 large task<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The large task is your priority for the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are working in a corporate environment, the task usually refers to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Finishing a project,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Meeting a deadline,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Handling an important meeting, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tackling the main challenge of the day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Of course, there are a multitude of examples, but you get the gist \u2014 the problem that irks you throughout the day is the one you should finish immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brian Tracy, the author of one of the best books on productivity<\/a>, often referred to the largest task of the day as \u201cthe frog<\/em>.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
He used the term \u201ceat the frog<\/em><\/a>\u201d <\/em>as a way of explaining that the best way to stay productive is to tackle the largest task of the day first and only then move on to the next tasks or projects of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 3 medium tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once your large, priority task is out of the way, you can move on to the next block of responsibilities \u2014 the 3 medium tasks. The medium tasks usually represent the activities that are closely connected to the large task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if you\u2019re organizing a big meeting to discuss the conditions of a new contract, the medium tasks would imply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Calling or notifying the parties,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Setting up the conference room or creating a virtual workspace, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Providing the participants with the necessary information that pertains to the meeting\u2019s agenda.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Depending on the nature of the 1 large task, you\u2019ll have to make a bullet list to determine which of the 3 medium tasks will have to be completed first and devise a general completion order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 5 small tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Finally, you move on to the 5 smaller tasks, which are usually described as \u201cnuisance tasks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their description is not a reflection of their general importance \u2014 but it does show their relevance when compared to the salient and medium tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your work day allows it, you can shift small tasks around and complete them when you have a moment to breathe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 1-3-5 rule does not restrict you from moving such tasks to the next business day \u2014 but only if you know you\u2019ll have enough time to complete them, alongside the new 5 smaller tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why is the 1-3-5 rule useful?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In theory, this productivity rule sounds great \u2014 you divide your day based on your priorities, make a list of what you should do, and then you do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, how does it all work in practice and why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, most people rely on to-do lists, which are efficient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, if the line of work you\u2019re in is very demanding, chances are you won\u2019t have enough time to finish everything you\u2019ve set out to do during one business day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, modern statistics<\/a> show that approximately 59% of all to-do lists get finished during the day and 41% of tasks are left to float in the \u201cnever-gets-done\u201d dimension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 1-3-5 rule works because there is no pressure on the user to complete everything. Furthermore, the rule values prioritization more than anything else, and the 1-3-5 pyramid serves as an instruction more so than as an obligation. It also allows leniency when it comes to shifting the schedule based on urgency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Putting the 1-3-5 rule into practice: My observations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So, after collecting all the data and convincing myself that I knew all about the 1-3-5 rule, I decided to give it a shot the following day as I was just about to embark on a new writing project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s my account of how the said days unfolded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Day 1: Ignorance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As you can surmise from the heading, the first day was a nightmare for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I woke up, turned on my laptop, and started writing a draft for all my responsibilities for the day. The main goal of that dreaded Monday was to do research for a project that was supposed to have at least 5,000 words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naturally, I wasn\u2019t a bit thrilled \u2014 but I knew that the rest of the tasks I had to do that day were simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Contact the design team and ask them to create a cover illustration for my next blog,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Have a work-buddy meeting with a new employee,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Discuss the draft architecture with a colleague, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Create a visual concept of what I will be writing about.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Sounds easy, right? Very feasible and highly doable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, once my upstairs neighbor started drilling a hole in my ceiling and accidentally drilled through the ethernet cable, everything changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How my first day of practicing the 1-3-5 rule went<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
First thing in the morning, I had to pack up, go to the local coffee shop, and do my research there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it was quite crowded and it nearly became impossible to have my meetings there. It even made sense that a pack of high schoolers entered the premises in the following minutes with a huge desire to see who could speak the loudest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overrun with anxiety, I was about to give up and call it a day, but then the premise of the 1-3-5 rule dawned on me \u2014 \u201cFinish your salient task and move on to the next ones accordingly.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I gathered my thoughts (and my 125 opened tabs) and started reading. Once I focused on the top-priority task and eliminated the anxiety of not finishing the other tasks, I realized a huge burden was lifted off my chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the day unfolded, the coffee shop became less crowded and I was able to conduct the meeting with the new colleague and even create a draft of my work based on the conducted research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it was 5:00 p.m., I realized that I didn\u2019t finish everything I had set out to do, but the \u201cno-routine\u201d concept of the 1-3-5 rule allowed me to shift the unfinished tasks to the following day and go to sleep peacefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s my Plaky<\/a> draft representation of the 1-3-5:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Day](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Day-1-practicing-the-1-3-5-rule.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo surmise, constructing a draft and conducting the work buddy meeting took me an hour each, while the research stretched throughout the entire day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The day looked like this, viewed through Clockify<\/a> lenses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Clockify](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Clockify-Day-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDay 2: Realization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Here we go again \u2014 coffee, laptop, and myself versus the machine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But first, I decided to set aside the first 2 and half hours of my work time to tend to the tasks I didn\u2019t finish yesterday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had a meeting with a colleague to discuss the concepts and the drafts of our following projects, which lasted for about an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Afterwards, I created visual cues to help me with the writing process, which included notes and graphs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once that was out of the way, it was time to shift my focus to my salient task of the day \u2014 writing the introduction and the first section of my writing project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How my second day of practicing the 1-3-5 rule went<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What I immediately noticed was that the writing process felt a bit peculiar \u2014 healthy, to be exact. In other words, I did not experience the writing stress of \u201cI\u2019ll never finish this in time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I had to admit that the 1-3-5 rule bore some fruit in this instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knowing how my day would unfold and the schedules that awaited me, I could already envision the pacing and the structure of my text. When I had previously created the visual cues, I also took 10 minutes to block out my day<\/a> based on the activities and tasks I had to do. I have not experienced such a level of organization until trying out this technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I realized that I had to leave out the slot between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. to do additional research, but I also had a team meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. That left me with a window of 2 and a half hours to focus solely on writing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naturally, the \u201cdeadline mode\u201d kicked in because I had conditioned myself into thinking that the writing had to be done that day \u2014 and it worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Day](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Day-2-practicing-the-1-3-5-rule.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWriting the introduction and doing additional research took me about 4 and a half hours, and the unfinished tasks combined with the team meeting lasted for about 3 and a half hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For further clarification, here\u2019s my Clockify calendar entry for the day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Clockify](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Clockify-Day-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDay 3: Acceptance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Driven by the new-found faith in the 1-3-5 rule, I had set out to conquer the following day, not knowing that a perfect storm was about to hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The salient task of the day was writing the body of the text, ideally 1,000 words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, that all changed once I created my 1-3-5 draft for the day with the following information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- My bank account was locked and I had to resolve it ASAP,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I had to schedule a meeting to discuss the artwork for a previous blog I had worked on,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I had another team meeting,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I had to leave my apartment between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. (the neighbor strikes again), and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I had to do additional <\/strong>research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
But, fret I did not, because the 1-3-5 was there to rescue me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, it kind of was, but not really \u2014 I\u2019ll explain why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How my third day of practicing the 1-3-5 rule went<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Essentially, I used the two hours my upstairs neighbors usually spend remodeling to go to the bank and do research from the coffee shop \u2014 luckily, no high schoolers this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I returned, I knew I had to focus on the writing and push the other meeting back for at least 2 hours, so I can get some writing done. I did stay longer in the day to compensate for the hours in the bank, but that was the time I allocated for the meeting \u2014 and it fit perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, I did not write the number of words I had intended \u2014 but I knew that I had fewer obligations in the following days, which would consequently allow me to focus solely on writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Day](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Day-3-practicing-the-1-3-5-rule.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe bank run lasted for about 2 hours and the team meeting lasted for an hour or so, which roughly amounted to 3 hours. When the focus mode kicked in, I wrote for about 2 hours and later had a meeting with the design team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alongside answering emails, the entire day was mapped out like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Clockify](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Clockify-Day-3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe following couple of days: Finalization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As my hectic schedule came to an end, I had nothing to do besides writing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, the following days consisted of me trying really hard not to lose my mind while writing 1,000 words per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, there were the occasional interruptions \u2014 helping and getting help from colleagues, answering emails, and participating in online workshops and discussions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I could feel and reap the benefits of abiding by the 1-3-5 rule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In honesty, there are jobs and professions where this method could greatly shape a person\u2019s work culture \u2014 such as high-demanding jobs with a multitude of daily tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for me, check out my 2 cents on the pros, cons, and conclusions I found about the 1-3-5 rule in the following lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n Free time tracker<\/span>\nTime tracking software used by millions. Clockify is a time tracker and timesheet app that lets you track work hours across projects.<\/p>\n\n
\n Sign up<\/a>\n\n Learn more<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n \n ![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/clockify\/landing-2.png\")
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n\u2705 The pros of the 1-3-5 rule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, I could not experience the effects of this rule in its full glory as I did not have as many tasks per day as some other individuals would have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, I could tell that the organizational tools that come with using this technique truly helped ease some of the burdens that we all experience on a daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From what I found in practice, the 1-3-5 allows you to map out your day in advance, work around it when you receive new tasks, and juggle everything in between. When something doesn\u2019t go your way, you can always shift some things around and make your schedule more comfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, mapping out<\/a> your day and organizing your responsibilities in a well-timed manner will greatly affect your time tracking<\/a> and managing skills, in general. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u274c The cons of the 1-3-5 rule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As you can tell, the benefits of the 1-3-5 rule are not fully visible when you have a couple of major tasks in a day and no smaller tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, the 1-3-5 cannot really help you focus unless you truly decide it\u2019s time to get something done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is why it\u2019s recommended that you use additional methods to help you stay focused, alongside the 1-3-5. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, many experts suggest listening to video game music during work. Original video game soundtracks were designed to keep the player in a \u201ctrance\u201d and fully occupied with the gameplay \u2014 but research<\/a> has shown that the same effect can be achieved in a work environment, if you only choose your soundtrack wisely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, the \u201cmain boss\u201d music can be used while you\u2019re dealing with the 1 large task, and you can use the background \u201ctension building\u201d soundtracks for smaller tasks. It\u2019s fun and it improves your focus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\ud83d\udca1 Clockify Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re interested in learning more about productivity hacks and methods, try reading the following blog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 20 ways to stay focused at work<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
My overall rating of the 1-3-5 rule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From my short experience, I concluded that the main attraction behind the 1-3-5 rule is the lack of obligatory factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This time management technique<\/a> does not confine you to the traditional working dogmas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even though you\u2019re probably working an 8-hour shift, the division of time and responsibilities is up to you and your organizational prowess \u2014 for better or for worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have also noticed that this rule can be applied to non-work issues. If you\u2019re going on a vacation and you\u2019re trying to pack a lot of activities into a one-week getaway, the 1-3-5 method can surely be beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, there\u2019s no need for fancy templates when you need to map out your day \u2014 you can be as old-fashioned as you want and jot down everything you need on a piece of paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FINAL RATING<\/strong>: \u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\ud83d\udca1 Clockify Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ve tried the 1-3-5 and it still doesn\u2019t work for you? You might be suffering productivity problems because you\u2019re not at the top of your game while working, due to low energy levels. If so, check out our blog on biological prime time and how it works:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- How I calculated my biological prime time<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Get control of your schedule with Clockify\u00a0<\/em>by CAKE.com<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you want to make an effective schedule, you should track the time you spend on your tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the easiest ways to do that is by using the Clockify time tracker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Clockify by CAKE.com, you can track time spent on tasks and projects, giving you a clearer picture of your time so you can allocate it more effectively. This will help you spend your workdays more productively.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Clockify](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Clockify-time-tracking-1.png\")
You can track the time spent on tasks and projects with Clockify\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To improve your productivity and avoid procrastination, you can also use Clockify\u2019s Pomodoro timer<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Clockify](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Clockify-Pomodoro-timer-1.png\")
Clockify\u2019s Pomodoro timer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n By working in intervals separated by breaks, it\u2019ll be easier for you to stay focused and get things done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an all-in-one time tracking solution, Clockify by CAKE.com allows you to track the time you spend on activities, see where exactly your time goes, and stay on top of your schedule \u2014 so don\u2019t wait any longer.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- How I calculated my biological prime time<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- 20 ways to stay focused at work<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- 3 medium<\/strong>, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/clockify.me\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/clockify\/landing-2@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n