Why Prioritizing Your Tasks Works So Well

 

If you’re anything like me, you probably start off your day jotting down tasks, ideas, and reminders. You might even have everything organized neatly in one place—whether that’s a digital app like ClickUp or a trusty notebook. But even with that organization, it can be easy to get sidetracked or end up 80% of the way through the day and realizing that the most important things still need to be done…

Well, here’s the simple “secret” that can help you: prioritization. It’s the simple shift that helped me turn long to-do lists into a focused, actionable plan.

From Brain Dumping to Prioritizing: Why It Matters

First, let’s talk about brain dumping. I’m a fan of it—and you should be too. Brain dumping is where you get all those half-formed thoughts, nagging worries, and random tasks out of your head and onto paper or digital notes. Maybe it’s a project idea that’s been swirling around, a task you keep putting off, or just a reminder that you need to check something later.

Getting all that out of your head is powerful. It clears mental space and keeps you from missing important details. Plus, it feels good—like a weight lifted off your shoulders.

But here’s the catch: brain dumping alone doesn’t guarantee progress. You can have a perfectly organized list and still not get the important stuff done. That’s where prioritization comes in.

Without prioritizing, it’s easy to spin your wheels—tackling small, less important tasks while the big things get pushed aside. You might waste time deciding what to do next or feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of your list. Prioritization helps you focus on what truly moves the needle.

A Simple, Practical Way to Prioritize Your Tasks

Here’s what I do, and you can try it out today.

1. Write down your tasks for the day. I like to have a physical copy—whether that’s a journal, a note card, or a post-it note. For me, writing things down physically helps me focus better and reduces distractions compared to staring at a screen all day.
2. Review your task list. This might mean checking your calendar, looking at your task manager like ClickUp, or scanning through notes in Roam Research—whatever tools you use to collect your tasks.
3. Identify your top three tasks. If you have just one or two things to do, you might not need this step. But if you’re like most people and have five, ten, or more tasks, pick the three that are the most important to get done today.
4. Number and circle them. Literally write “1,” “2,” and “3” next to those tasks. If you know the exact order they need to be tackled, number them accordingly. If not, just pick your top three priorities without stressing about the order.

Once you have your top three, focus on those first. The rest of your tasks can wait a bit. They might be less urgent or important, so don’t let them distract you until you’ve made progress on your main priorities.

When you finish those three, take a moment to reassess. You can pick another set of priorities from what’s left and repeat the process. This keeps your day chunked into manageable, prioritized segments instead of an overwhelming list.

Why This Works: The Power of Mental Filters

This little tweak—choosing and writing down your top three tasks—is more than just a note-taking habit. It creates a mental filter.

When you tell yourself, “These are the three things I’m going to do today,” your brain gets a clear signal. It’s like putting on blinders that block out distractions and help you zero in on what matters most.

Instead of staring at a long list and feeling overwhelmed or indecisive, you’ve already done the hard work of deciding what’s important. This upfront investment of a minute or two saves you from constant task-switching and decision fatigue throughout the day.

Of course, life happens. Sometimes you won’t finish all three tasks, or you might need a break that lasts longer than planned. That’s totally normal. Prioritization isn’t about perfection—it’s about helping you stay on track and focused.

Tools and Tips to Make Prioritization Stick

Here are some practical ways to build prioritization into your daily routine:

• Use physical tools: I find a simple note card or post-it note works wonders. Writing down your top three priorities and keeping it visible on your desk helps maintain focus.
• Keep it flexible: Don’t stress about getting the order perfect. Prioritization is a guide, not a strict schedule.
• Reassess throughout the day: Once you finish your top three, pause and pick the next set. This keeps you moving forward without feeling overwhelmed.
• Combine with digital tools: If you prefer digital, you can highlight or tag your top tasks in your favorite app. Just make sure it’s easy to see and doesn’t get lost in notifications.
• Make it a habit: Try prioritizing your tasks first thing in the morning or at the end of the previous day. It sets you up for a focused start.

Final Thoughts: Small Shifts, Big Impact

Prioritization is one of those simple shifts that doesn’t require fancy tools or complex systems. It’s just about taking an extra minute to pick your top three tasks and giving your brain clear directions.

I’ve found this approach helps me avoid the trap of endless to-do lists and keeps me focused on what actually moves me forward. It’s not about doing more for the sake of it, but about doing what matters most—better.

If you’re not already prioritizing your tasks this way, I encourage you to give it a shot. Grab a note card, write down your top three for tomorrow, and see how it changes your focus and productivity.