Is your “To-Do” list actually a “Guilt” list?
One small shift for your Monday; one giant leap for your week.
Most of us treat our To-Do lists like a wish list. We write down 15 things, knowing deep down we only have the capacity for 5. By the end of the day, we aren’t actually “behind”—we were just unrealistic.
This creates Proximity Bias: you end up doing what is closest to you (the pings, the emails, the “quick questions”) instead of what is crucial to your growth.
The Shift: Stop scheduling what you hope to do. Start scheduling what you must do.
The Tactical Action: The “1-3-5 Rule” Before you dive into the chaos of your inbox today, grab a post-it note or open your digital planner and commit to the 1-3-5 Rule:
_ 1 Major Project: The “Big Rock” that moves the needle for your business or personal growth.
– 3 Medium Tasks: Essential maintenance or meetings that require focus.
– 5 Small Tasks: Quick wins, emails, or administrative “housekeeping.”
The Rule: If it doesn’t fit in one of these 9 slots, it doesn’t get a space on today’s calendar. Move it to tomorrow or delete it entirely.
The Question for the Week
“If I could only complete ONE thing today that would make me feel satisfied with my work by 5:00 PM, what would it be—and why isn’t it the first thing I’m doing?”
If you’re struggling to find your “Big Rock,” or your team is drowning in the “proximity” trap, I’m here to help. My book, The 9 Shifts to Time Mastery, provides the roadmap to reclaim your calendar and grow your business.
To your growth,
Jerry Ervin
Founder,
Grow Yourself Academy
707-800-9474
jerryervin@growyourselfacademy.com
