“I have too much to do, and my reminders won’t stop…”
“I write my ToDo list every day, but it just keeps piling up…”
Many people find themselves in this **”task overload loop.”**
However, there is a perspective that by limiting your ToDo list to just “3 lines,” both your productivity and mental space can dramatically improve.
This article introduces the 1-day 3-line ToDo list method and techniques for narrowing down tasks using generative AI.
**1. Why Limit to “3 Lines”? [Background and Benefits]
■ Excessive ToDos Diminish Motivation
- Even if you write down 10 tasks, more than 5 will remain “incomplete” → leads to self-denial
- Truly important tasks get buried
- It’s not about managing volume, but your mind fatigues from “decision-making”
■ “3 Lines a Day” as a Method to Cultivate Decision-Making Skills
- Task management is about “selection” rather than “processing”
- If limited to 3 lines, you can always keep it in mind, whether on paper or smartphone
- Increasing what you choose NOT to do enhances performance
**2. Basic Rules for the 3-Line ToDo List
- Write in clear action-oriented units (e.g., instead of “work on materials,” write “create the first slide of the presentation”)
- Write down only “what to do today,” without regard for priority
- Do not write with the assumption that tasks will carry over to the next day (reset every day)
✅ The key point is to write the day’s 3 tasks based on “actions.”
**3. How to Choose! Steps to Narrow Down ToDos
- Write down everything in your head (brain dump)
- Add stars to the items that “must be done today”
- Prioritize “things only you can do” and “things that move the future forward”
- Narrow it down to 3 tasks and rewrite them on a separate sheet (or memo)
→ The intersection of “things that can only be done now × things that only you can do” yields the best 3.
**4. Narrowing Down with Generative AI! ToDo Organizing Techniques Using GPT
Example of Usage:
- Hand over all tasks to GPT for prioritization
Example:
“Here is my task list. Please choose the 3 that I need to complete today based on importance and urgency.”
(Attach task list)
- Extract “the 3 tasks that will most impact the future”
Example:
“Please select 3 from the following that will contribute most to future achievements and my growth.”
- Request suggestions for “the 3 tasks I need right now,” including emotions and situations
Example:
“I am feeling down and unfocused. Please choose 3 tasks that are suitable for my current situation.”
✅ Using AI as an “external brain” that includes your emotions makes choosing tasks significantly easier.
Conclusion
✅ By limiting your ToDo list to 3 lines a day, you can free yourself from “decision fatigue.”
✅ You can focus only on what truly needs to be done, which increases the quality of your actions.
✅ To narrow it down to 3 lines, use the criteria of “what can only be done now × what only you can do.”
✅ By using generative AI, you can gain insights into priorities and actions that you might not notice yourself.
Why not share your “3 tasks ToDo for today” in the comments?
How you choose will surely reflect your personality!
