Use the 3-3-3 Method to Distribute Tasks and Get More Done.
Sometimes, prioritizing which projects to focus your time and energy on requires energy you don’t have (which is why I have tips on how to do it ). But even when you know what tasks need to be completed, you still need to figure out how to prioritize them so you can tackle them in the right order, giving each the attention and resources it truly requires. That’s where the 3-3-3 method comes in.
What is the 3-3-3 method?
This method was developed by Oliver Burkeman, author of “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.” He recommends planning each workday using the “3-3-3” scheme:
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First, dedicate three hours to deep work on your most important project.
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Next, complete three other urgent tasks that don’t require three hours of focus.
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Finally, complete three “maintenance” tasks, such as cleaning, answering emails, or scheduling other work.
Other productivity techniques, like the Pomodoro Technique , require you to engage in deep work or completely uninterrupted work without distractions, so consider using one of those first three hours if you want to get the most out of the 3-3-3 approach.
To determine which of the above categories a task falls into, I recommend using a prioritization method such as the Eisenhower Matrix , which uses a quadrant system to rank tasks by urgency and importance. You should consider not only how urgent tasks are but also how many resources they consume. Don’t overestimate the time it will take to complete tasks: the more time you devote to something, the more you naturally procrastinate , which reduces productivity. Be firm with yourself when deciding how much time to allocate to a large, resource-intensive task.
If you don’t consider yourself a morning person and aren’t confident in your ability to tackle intense work right away, that’s not necessarily a problem. I’ve written about the value of “eating the frog “—or rather, tackling the most important task of the day immediately after waking, which is part of the traditional 3-3-3 structure—and while I’ve tried it myself, I’m simply not that kind of person. That doesn’t mean I can’t work a 3-3-3 schedule, so don’t assume you can’t either.
Experiment with this technique, for example, starting later in the morning and postponing lunch until later. This approach works for me because, frankly, I only get started around 10:30 every day. Since I’m slower in the morning, I restructure my 3-3-3 schedule, completing my productivity tasks earlier. This helps me feel motivated and productive—for example, answering emails clears my head and makes it easier to focus on more important tasks later.
The key to success with this technique is not to force yourself to follow a template, but to adapt the method to your best working habits, adding a little extra structure, but within reasonable limits. The goal here is to clearly define what you do throughout the day and work in the right order for maximum productivity. However, you have some wiggle room, so try out several approaches to your schedule to see what works best.
Why the 3-3-3 method works
This method differs from other productivity hacks precisely because it involves three hours of deep work. Typically, doing these hours first will leave you alert, focused, and more likely to concentrate on the task at hand without distractions. Whether you stick to the traditional structure of three hours dedicated to deep work at the beginning of the day or break the 3-3-3 schedule, try to maximize these three hours and avoid wasting them on emails, texts, chatting, and other uninteresting activities.
Deep work leads to high productivity, so you’ll achieve a lot if you dedicate yourself to it, but you won’t be able to maintain this mindset forever. You’ll reach your peak after about three hours, so it’s best to prepare three other, smaller tasks in advance to maintain productivity even as you switch to less demanding tasks. After three hours in the zone, you’ll find these tasks become easier.
Finally, mindfulness tasks give you the opportunity to get things done while giving your brain a break. Use this time to prepare for the next day, finish what you worked on during those three hours of intense focus, or, like me, put the most boring tasks behind you to think about something else.
You can use this technique to tackle seven different tasks of varying urgency or break one large project into smaller pieces, depending on your needs throughout the day. Just follow this process.