Your day in 3 tasks.
Daily Top 3 is a simple system to stop over-planning. This page gives you the method, a free template, and a short list of tools that make prioritization easier.
Jump to: Method · Tools · Template · FAQ
The Daily Top 3 method
The bottleneck isn’t writing tasks down. It’s choosing what matters next. Daily Top 3 forces a trade-off so you can finish a day and actually feel done.
- Capture everything in one inbox (no sorting yet).
- Rank tasks using three inputs: urgency, impact, effort.
- Pick 3 for Today. Hard limit. Everything else goes to Later.
- Finish the 3 before adding new work to Today.
- Shutdown (60 seconds): move leftovers to Later, pick tomorrow’s first task, close the loop.
Weekly reset (10 minutes): delete junk, split big tasks into next actions, and refresh what “impact” means this week.
Best tools to run it
If you’re choosing quickly: pick one tool that makes it easy to (1) capture fast, (2) create a small daily plan, and (3) not stare at a giant list.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Sunsama
Best for: planning a realistic day (and not lying to yourself).
- Why it fits: encourages fewer tasks and time awareness.
- Watch out: heavier workflow than a simple todo list.
Akiflow
Best for: turning tasks into a calendar-backed daily plan.
- Why it fits: makes “Today” a plan, not a wish list.
- Watch out: you must commit to using it daily.
Todoist
Best for: a clean, fast list that stays out of your way.
- Why it fits: fast capture + clean Today view.
- Watch out: you must enforce the “Top 3” rule yourself.
If you want the method without any tool: use the template below and enforce the Top 3 rule manually.
| Tool | Best for | Why it fits Daily Top 3 | Downside | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunsama | Daily planning | Pushes realistic daily scope | More “process” | Try |
| Akiflow | Calendar + tasks | Makes Today a plan | Needs daily use | Try |
| Todoist | Simple lists | Fast capture + clean Today | Self-discipline required | Try |
Free Daily Top 3 template
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FAQ
Why only 3 tasks?
Because most days fail at the decision layer. A Top 3 forces trade-offs and reduces task-switching. If you finish early, you can always pull one more from Later — but you start with a finish line.
What is “priority scoring”?
A simple ranking so you don’t stare at a flat list. The most practical version is transparent: urgency, impact, and effort. If a tool hides the logic, you’ll trust it less and stop using it.
Do I need a paid tool?
No. The method works with pen and paper. Paid tools mainly reduce friction: faster capture, cleaner Today view, and better planning constraints.
How do you choose tools?
I prioritize tools that make it easier to pick a small daily plan and stick to it. I also list drawbacks, because hiding trade-offs is what makes recommendations feel fake.
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