As a mom, I used to rely on my memory to keep track of everything—tasks, appointments, and commitments—but more often than not, I’d forget something important. This led to feelings of frustration and self-doubt. I even questioned whether I was cut out for motherhood because I struggled to stay on task and accomplish what I needed to. Over time, I discovered the 3-Task Rule and how it transformed my ability to stay organized, focused, and productive.

How I Became More Task-Oriented

Before embracing the 3-Task Rule, I tried countless strategies to manage my life but always ended up burnt out. Therapy helped me set healthy boundaries, and I learned that upgrading a mom’s life begins with upgrading priorities and mastering time management. The key to effective time management is prioritizing sleep and health—without that foundation, staying on top of daily tasks is nearly impossible. The 3-Task Rule has been a game-changer in my busy mom life because it’s flexible and manageable.

What You Need to Implement the 3-Task Rule

Digital or Paper Planners

To effectively implement the 3-Task Rule for weekly planning, you’ll want tools and planners that help you stay organized, focused, and track progress. Here’s a breakdown of tools that can make this process easier:

Paper Planners: If you prefer writing by hand, choose one with weekly layouts, sections for priorities, and plenty of space for task breakdowns. Some great options include:
Amy Knapp’s Family Organizer: Get organized and inspired with the perfect family productivity planner that is parenting tested and mom approved!
Weekly Christian Planner: No frills, classy to the point weekly, monthly planner.
Daily Planner Weekly Monthly Planner: Section for weekly planning and daily schedule.


Digital Planners: If you prefer using tech tools, apps can sync across devices and help you stay organized on the go. Try:
Google Calendar: Perfect for time-blocking and scheduling tasks. (I use this for my business)
Notion: A flexible app where you can create task boards, to-do lists, and detailed weekly planners. Free for individual projects & tasks. Starting at $10/month for business.
Todoist: Great for task tracking with the ability to prioritize and schedule your life. Simplify life for both you and your team with the world’s #1 task manager and to-do list app. I use this daily for my home life.

Apps That Helped Me Implement the 3-Task Rule

There are apps for almost everything, but using technology effectively requires understanding yourself and choosing the right tools. I’ve found some helpful apps that made planning and time management more streamlined. Below are the tools I recommend:

Apps for Organizing Your Week

• Google Calendar: Ideal for time-blocking and scheduling tasks (perfect for business or personal life).
• Notion: A flexible tool to create detailed task boards and weekly planners.
• Todoist: A task manager app that helps you prioritize and organize your life by scheduling your daily tasks. I use this one for at home.

Task Management Tools

• Trello: Create boards and cards to organize tasks and set deadlines.
• Asana: Task management tool with templates for creating and organizing your to-do list.
• ClickUp: Allows you to manage tasks with various views (list, calendar, board) to prioritize your goals.

Time-Blocking & Focus Tools

• Clockify: A free time tracker to monitor how much time you’re dedicating to each task.
• Toggl: Another great time-tracking tool to help you focus on your 3 key tasks daily.
• Forest: Stay focused by growing a virtual tree as you work, motivating you to stay on task.

Review Tools

• Bullet Journal: Create a customized weekly review section to reflect on progress.
• Daily/Weekly Check-In Templates: Use Google Docs, or Notion to track progress, identify improvements, and plan for the next day/week.

Habit Tracking Tools

• Reclaim Habits: Imagine a recurring event that schedules itself, finding the perfect time in your calendar around your existing events. Simply set your scheduling preferences for a new Habit, and let AI help you reach your goals.
• Streaks: A simple app that helps you maintain consistency with your 3 key tasks. Streaks is the to-do list that helps you form good habits. Every day you complete a task, your streak is extended.

The 3-Task Rule: A Simple Yet Powerful Strategy that Upgrades a Mom’s Life

The 3-Task Rule is all about focusing on what truly matters, preventing overwhelm, and making consistent progress. I use a method called “brain dumping” where I take a blank piece of paper and write down everything that comes to mind as far as tasks for the week. Then I pick out the highest to lowest priority and input into my calendar and weekly written planner.

Here’s how you can implement the 3-Task Rule effectively:

Step 1: Identify Your 3 Key Tasks

• Set Clear Goals: What are your most important tasks for the day or week? These should align with your long-term goals.
• Prioritize: From your to-do list, pick the 3 most important tasks that will bring you closer to your objectives.
• Be Specific: Break tasks into smaller, actionable steps. Instead of “work on project,” specify “draft proposal for project X.”

Step 2: Make It Achievable

• Focus on Impact: Aim to complete 3 high-impact tasks rather than numerous small tasks that don’t drive results.
• Be Realistic: Don’t overwhelm yourself. Make sure you have enough time to complete each task without rushing.

Step 3: Time Block Your Day

• Schedule Time for Each Task: Use your calendar or planner to block out time for each task.
• Leave Buffer Time: Add some extra time between tasks to account for unexpected delays or breaks.

Step 4: Avoid Distractions

• Work in Sprints: Use the Pomodoro technique—25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5-minute break.
• Turn Off Notifications: Minimize distractions so you can stay fully focused on your 3 tasks.

Step 5: Reflect & Adjust

• Review Your Progress: At the end of the day, reflect on what you’ve accomplished.
• Adjust for Tomorrow: Based on what you achieved, choose the next 3 tasks for the following day.

Pro Tip for Weekly Planning

• Start of the Week: Choose 3 major tasks (e.g., project milestones or important personal goals) to accomplish by week’s end.
• Break It Down: For each day, choose 3 smaller tasks that will help you achieve your weekly goals.

Why the 3-Task Rule Works

What makes the 3-Task Rule so effective is its simplicity and manageability. It eliminates the overwhelm of trying to do everything at once and helps you prioritize what truly matters. By focusing on the 3 most important tasks each day, you can make steady progress without burning out.

One of my biggest mindset obstacles has been the belief that I must achieve everything all at once. Whether it’s launching a business, learning a new skill, or pursuing an idea, I used to expect instant results instead of allowing myself a structured, weekly schedule for steady progress. The key to long-term success is learning patience and embracing consistent growth over time.

Download Your Free Printable Template for Weekly Planning to get started with the 3-Task Rule today!