Long to-do lists become avoidance lists. The two-line method forces clarity without fancy apps.
Line 1: Must Do (max 3).
Non-negotiables—if these move, the day counts.
Line 2: Nice to Do (unlimited).
Everything else lives here so it doesn’t clutter your brain.
Why it works
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Scarcity creates focus: Three slots keep priorities honest.
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Progress psychology: Finishing the top line delivers a win early.
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Flexible reality: Emergencies can bump items, but only with intent.
How to use it
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Fill Line 1 the day before.
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Start with the hardest small step of item #1.
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After finishing Line 1, pull from Line 2 in priority order.
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Archive at day’s end. Unfinished items are reconsidered—not blindly copied.
Pro tips
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Pair with a time block (e.g., 90 minutes deep work on #1).
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Add one verb to each item: “Send,” “Draft,” “Review,” “Publish.”
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Keep it visible (phone widget, sticky note).
Template:
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Must Do: 1) Send invoice 2) Draft intro 3) Book dentist
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Nice to Do: groceries, update playlist, vacuum, read 10 pages
