What if your productivity problem isn’t complexity…
…but volume?
Most people wake up and dive into a swamp of 37 open loops. Messages, micro-tasks, mental clutter, and a to-do list that reads like a CVS receipt. The result? Paralysis. Resentment. Doom-scrolling.
But there’s a quieter, sharper way:
The Tiny List.
A daily ritual so simple it’s almost laughable—yet it’s responsible for more breakthroughs than any app, calendar system, or color-coded planner I’ve ever tried.
Let’s break it down.
Why Most To-Do Lists Don’t Work
To-do lists are supposed to create clarity. But most of the time, they generate pressure instead.
Here’s what happens:
- You write down everything you think you need to do
- The list becomes massive
- You bounce between tasks, avoid the hard ones, and end up checking off only the low-hanging fruit
- You feel like you failed, even though you were busy
Sound familiar?
The problem isn’t laziness. It’s decision fatigue, cognitive overload, and a sneaky thing called task switching cost—where your brain burns energy just hopping from one thing to the next.
Enter: The Tiny List
The Tiny List is a 3-item, non-negotiable daily task list. That’s it.
No extras. No overflow list. Just three things.
But they’re not just any things. They’re chosen intentionally—and that’s the magic.
Here’s how it works:
1. Pick Just 3 Tasks
Choose three tasks that:
- Move the needle toward a goal
- Can reasonably be done today
- Are meaningful enough to matter
Not “check email” or “reorganize desktop icons.”
We’re talking:
✅ Outline your next blog post
✅ Make that sales call you’ve been avoiding
✅ Clean your damn kitchen so your brain can breathe again
2. Write Them Down Physically
Yes, even if you’re a Notion junkie.
There’s something visceral about writing a task with your hand. You externalize the commitment. You focus. You embed the memory deeper.
Sticky note. Whiteboard. Notebook. Doesn’t matter. What matters is: it lives somewhere visible.
3. Tick Them Off One by One
The goal is momentum, not perfection. You’re not trying to have a perfect day. You’re trying to build trust with yourself again.
When you tick off all three? Mini dopamine rush.
When you only get one? That’s one more than yesterday.
When you miss the whole list? No guilt. Just reset.
Why It Works
The Tiny List works because it shrinks your mental field of battle.
Instead of asking your brain to juggle 29 flaming swords, you hand it three arrows. Specific. Simple. Executable.
Psychologically, this:
- Reduces overwhelm
- Triggers focus (via constraint)
- Builds motivation through progress
Each checkmark is proof: You do what you say you’ll do.
Real-World Results
I’ve used the Tiny List while:
- Launching a product with a newborn in the house
- Writing a 40,000-word book while juggling freelance clients
- Digging out of a burnout pit where brushing my teeth felt ambitious
In every case, the Tiny List helped me crawl forward—even when I couldn’t run.
And weirdly?
Doing just three things often unlocked energy for more.
Momentum creates momentum.
Common Questions
Q: What if I need to do more than 3 things?
You probably will. But 3 is your core list—your musts. Anything else is bonus, not burden.
Q: Can I use a digital version?
You can. But the physical version builds a stronger ritual. Try both and feel the difference.
Q: What if I finish early?
High five. Then go outside. Or start tomorrow’s list. Or take a nap you legend.
The Joy of Done
Ticking off tasks isn’t just about productivity.
It’s about agency. Momentum. Relief.
The Tiny List is small on purpose.
It gives your brain boundaries.
It teaches you to finish again.
And in a world obsessed with doing more, finishing less—with intention—might be the most powerful move you can make.
✅ Pick your three.
🧠 Do them with care.
💚 And feel the joy of done.