What to Do When Your To-Do List is Too Long
A simple 7-day reset for women who want less overwhelm and more follow-through
If you’ve ever sat down to plan your day and somehow ended up with a list so long it made you want to close your planner and walk away…this post is for you.
Because here’s the truth most productivity advice skips:
Overwhelm isn’t caused by having too much to do.
It’s caused by trying to do everything at the same time.
That’s where the Top 3 List comes in.
Not as another “system.”
Not as a color-coded, perfectly balanced fantasy schedule.
But as a simple way to decide what actually matters today.
This is the Top 3 List Challenge, a gentle 7-day experiment that helps you practice focus without pressure.
No perfection required. Just progress.
What Is the Top 3 List?
The Top 3 List is exactly what it sounds like:
Each day, you choose three things that matter most.
Not ten.
Not “everything.”
Just three.
These are the tasks that, if completed, will make the day feel successful even if nothing else gets done.
That’s the key.
This list isn’t about productivity for productivity’s sake.
It’s about clarity, momentum, and ending the day feeling like you showed up for your life.
Why the Top 3 Works (When Everything Else Feels Like Too Much)
Most of us don’t struggle with planning because we’re lazy or disorganized.
We struggle because:
Our brains are holding too many open loops
Every task feels equally urgent
Decision fatigue kicks in before we even start
The Top 3 solves this by doing three things:
It forces prioritization
It lowers the mental noise
It gives you a clear finish line
Instead of asking, “What should I work on now?” all day long, you already know.
The Top 3 List Challenge (7 Days)
This challenge is simple on purpose. You can start today. No prep required.
The Rules
You choose three priorities each morning (or the night before).
You work from that list first.
Anything else you do is a bonus, not an obligation.
That’s it.
Day 1: Just Choose Three
Today isn’t about doing them perfectly.
It’s about noticing how it feels to limit your focus.
Choose three tasks that genuinely matter today.
Ask yourself:
“If I only get these three done, will I feel okay about this day?”
Write them down somewhere visible.
Day 2: Notice the Noise
Today, pay attention to everything not on your list.
Emails. Random errands. Small distractions.
You’re not ignoring them forever. You’re just noticing how often they try to hijack your attention.
When that happens, come back to your Top 3.
Day 3: Start With One
Instead of bouncing between tasks, start with one of your Top 3 and work on it until you hit a natural stopping point.
This is about practicing single-task focus, not speed.
Progress beats multitasking every time.
Day 4: Adjust Without Guilt
Some days, life happens.
If you need to swap a Top 3 item for something more urgent, do it.
No guilt. No failure narrative.
This challenge is about flexibility, not rigidity.
Day 5: End the Day With a Check-In
At the end of the day, look at your list.
Ask:
What did I finish?
What moved forward?
What can roll to tomorrow?
Cross things off if you want. Or don’t.
The point is awareness, not performance.
Day 6: Notice How You Feel
By now, something usually shifts.
You might feel:
Less frantic
More intentional
Slightly calmer, even on busy days
That’s not an accident.
Clarity creates calm.
Day 7: Decide What Stays
Today, decide how you want to keep using the Top 3.
Maybe it becomes:
A daily habit
A workday-only practice
Something you use during busy seasons
There’s no “right” way to continue. Just the way that supports your real life.
What Goes on a Top 3 List (Examples)
Your Top 3 can include:
One work task
One personal or household task
One self-care or health task
Examples:
Finish the outline
Schedule the appointment
Go for a walk
Or:
Grocery order
Pay the bill
20 minutes of focused work
If it matters to you, it belongs on your Top 3.
A Simple Top 3 Printable (Screenshot-Friendly)
You don’t need a fancy printable to do this, but some people like a visual reminder.
You can screenshot a simple version with:
Today’s date
Top 3 priorities
A small notes section
Stick it in your planner, your notes app, or your phone lock screen.
Simple works.
If You’re Overwhelmed Right Now
If even choosing three feels like too much, start smaller.
Ask:
“What is one thing I can do in the next 10 minutes that would help future me?”
That still counts.
This challenge isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing what matters.
Related Post: How to Stay Consistent When Life Gets Messy
Try It for One Week
You don’t have to commit forever.
Just try the Top 3 List Challenge for seven days and see what happens.
Worst case?
You spent a week being a little more intentional.
Best case?
You find a simple tool you come back to again and again.
Happy planning!
Related Post: What to Do When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
