Mike Sturm

Quick-start Guide

What if a 3 x 5″ index card was all you needed to become more productive?

It just might be. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way.

  1. Grab a 3″ x 5″ lined index card and something to write with.

  2. Flip the card to the unlined back and position it vertically. Set a timer for three minutes and write down every task you think you might need to do today.

  3. Flip to the lined side. Put today’s day and date at the top, and rule two narrow columns down the right-hand edge — P for possible points, A for actual points:

    A blank index card with the day and date written at the top and two narrow columns, P and A, ruled down the right edge

  4. Using your task list from the back, write your most important tasks in order of importance.1 Pick no more than nine — one per line. The first item is #1, and so on:

    The same card with seven numbered tasks written in priority order, P and A columns still empty

  5. In the “P” column, place the point value for each item. Item #1 gets a point value equal to the total number of tasks. Item #2 gets one less. Repeat down to the final item, which is worth 1 point:

    The card with descending point values filled into the P column: 7 at the top down to 1 at the bottom

  6. Add up all the possible points in the “P” column. That’s your possible points for the day.2

  7. As you complete items, cross them off and award yourself the point value for each in the “A” column.3

  8. At the end of the day, add up the points you’ve earned and put that at the bottom of the “A” column. Divide it by your total points possible and put that in the box at the bottom of the card:

    The finished card with tasks crossed off, actual points in the A column, totals at the bottom, and the day’s score in the box

Aim for a score of .750 or greater. If you achieve that, keep it up. If you score lower, think about fewer items per free hour tomorrow. Repeat each day.

To get a bit more in-depth, read the full guide.

Notes

  1. How many tasks? Don’t overload yourself, especially if you already have commitments. Count only the hours you have free to do tasks today — not time in meetings, running errands, cooking dinner, or self-care. Multiply that by 1.25. That’s roughly how many tasks should go on the card.

    What counts as important? A task that contributes to meaningful life goals of yours — things worth doing to make your life better. Others’ goals for you may seem pressing, like getting your boss a document she requested, but don’t assume that automatically makes them important. ↩︎

  2. A quick way to add up your possible points is a fun bit of math called the termial. Take the count of items on your list — seven, in the example above. Multiply by that count plus one, so eight. Divide by two. That’s your total possible points: 28. ↩︎

  3. Half points are possible for items you put respectable effort toward but didn’t complete. If you had nine items and made progress on item 1 without finishing it, award yourself 4.5 points. ↩︎