Closed list, the 3/3/3 Time management, Consume slowly, physical
A gentler way to manage your time, attention, and mental bandwidth
Here’s Weekly digest (what I have learned in this week) I’d like to share with you.
1. Create a “Closed List”
Most effective time management systems have one core thing in common: they’re built around the idea of a closed list.
But what exactly does that mean?
Let’s say you write a to-do list the night before with three tasks. The next morning, you suddenly remember two more things you want to get done, and your list becomes five tasks long. You check off two in the morning, but then think, “Maybe I should also pay that bill today…” And just like that, the list grows again.
Eventually, you realize: the things you “need to do” are practically infinite.
This is the trap of the open list—a constantly growing, never-ending to-do list. It splits your focus, dilutes your energy, and ultimately causes most time management plans to fail.
Here’s how to fix it:
Start with one giant open list—add as many items as you want (even 100+). Then, pick the 10 most important tasks and create a closed list from them.
From here on out, you need to follow a strict rule:
You can only add a new task to your closed list after you’ve completed one.
The beauty of the closed list is that it forces you to confront your limits.
It compels you to ask:
What truly matters, given my limited time and energy?
This mindset shift is essential for building sustainable routines—and sets the stage for the next tool: the 3/3/3 Rule.
2. The 3/3/3 Time Management method
This method, developed by one of my favorite authors Oliver Burkeman, is the best way I found to structure the day.
Here’s how it works:
Spending 3 hours for your most important project (with clear, measurable progress)
Completing 3 shorter tasks you’ve been avoiding or that are time-sensitive (things like replying to emails, scheduling something, organizing note etc.)
Dedicating time to 3 maintenance activities that support your life rhythm (exercise, journaling, tidying, etc.)
Why just 3 hours?
Even if you technically work 8 hours a day, your actual deep focus time is usually far less. Burkeman suggests that 3 hours of real focus is already a stretch and that it doesn’t have to be consecutive.
These hours might be scattered throughout the day, but if you truly protect them and direct them toward your most meaningful work, you’ll get far more done than 8 distracted hours ever could.
Why just 3 small tasks?
These are the “urgent but easy” tasks that often pile up. Because they seem so minor, we put them off—telling ourselves we’ll do them later (and then we forget…).
By giving them intentional space, you prevent task creep and build momentum.
Why only 3 activities?
We all want to cultivate good habits—read more, drink water, move our bodies, stretch, meditate, reflect. But good habits can become an open list too. The key is to limit yourself to three.
Focus on the three habits that matter most to your current well-being. And commit to them fully.
3. Consume Slowly. Think on Paper.
Lately, I’ve been trying to be more intentional about what information I consume.
I read, watch, and listen to so many things per day—but barely have time to reflect. By the next day, I’m already consuming something new.
I’ve caught myself feeling overwhelmed, yet unable to stop clicking.
So, instead of getting swept up in newsfeeds and push notifications, I now prioritize books, articles, and podcasts I genuinely care about.
Here’s what I’m doing to reset:
Cancel or prune subscriptions to newsletters I no longer find useful
(I’m aiming for no more than 10 high-quality subscriptions. For every new one I add, one must go.)Deep-read one piece per day, and take notes on why it matters to me.
If I watch an intellectual video or listen to a meaningful podcast, I ask myself (and better write them down):
→ Why does this matter to me?
→ What idea here feels worth keeping?
Physical notes
I always think Zettelkasten is the best way of knowledge management and I
apply it using Heptabase since this year.
Recently, I’m experimenting with Physical index cards (the original form of Zettelkasten ) instead of digital notes since I find that writing by hand slows me down just enough to think clearly. I’m less likely to jump around, and more likely to break ideas into small, manageable units.
This analog process helps me digest ideas more deeply and develop a real relationship with what I’m learning rather than just hoarding inputs.
Modern life glorifies efficiency. We're obsessed with time management.
But most people overlook what matters most:
The point isn’t to do more, but to do what matters most.
In a world filled with noise and constant demands, using closed lists, practicing the 3/3/3 method, and choosing our information sources with care
can create space for clarity, depth, and sanity.
🧠 Here’s a question for you:
Have you ever tried a method to manage your time?
How did it work out for you in the end?
I’d love to hear your experience and thoughts, feel free to reply or send me message.