There’s a certain kind of day that makes me want to throw my to-do list out the window. You know the one — the list is too long, the emails keep piling up, and by the time you’ve crossed off one thing, three more have landed in your lap. It feels impossible.
That’s when I turn to my “Three Wins Trick.”
The Problem With Endless Lists
Here’s the truth: most to-do lists are not lists, they’re guilt trips. They’re reminders of everything you haven’t done yet. And when you measure your day against an endless list, you’re set up to fail before you even start.
I’ve lived enough of those days to know: more isn’t better. More just scatters your energy.
The Three Wins Trick
The Three Wins Trick is simple:
- Pick three things that, if completed today, would make you feel successful.
- Write only those three down.
- Do them first.
Everything else becomes bonus points.
The psychology is powerful: you’re giving your brain a finish line it can actually cross. You’re setting yourself up for accomplishment instead of burnout.
What Counts As a “Win”
Not all wins are equal. A “win” isn’t checking email for an hour. A win is the thing that moves the needle.
Sometimes that’s a work project. Sometimes it’s a tough phone call. Sometimes it’s cleaning out the fridge because your future self will thank you.
When I choose my three, I think: If I only got these done, would I feel good about today? If the answer is yes, they’re my wins.
The Ripple Effect
What happens when you focus on three wins?
- You stop chasing busywork.
- You feel accomplished earlier in the day.
- You free yourself from guilt over what didn’t get done.
And here’s the bonus: you usually end up doing more than three. But the difference is, you’re doing it from a place of momentum, not panic.
A Reader Challenge
Tomorrow morning, before your day starts, pick three wins. Don’t overthink. Just choose. Then notice how the day feels different.
Because sometimes, less really does get you further.
Blog #3: Boundaries as Resets – The Surprising Power of Saying No
Resets don’t just happen in our spaces or our routines — they happen in our energy. And one of the most powerful ways to reset your energy is deceptively simple: saying no.
Why No Feels So Hard
Most of us are conditioned to say yes. Yes to helping. Yes to one more meeting. Yes to invitations we don’t want. We say yes because we don’t want to disappoint people or be seen as selfish.
But here’s what happens: every yes is also a no. Saying yes to what drains you is saying no to yourself.
Boundaries as Mini-Resets
When I finally started honoring my boundaries, I realized something: every no was a reset button. It gave me back time, energy, and peace. It wasn’t about shutting people out; it was about letting myself in.
A few examples:
- Saying no to a Friday night out when I really needed rest.
- Letting a text sit unanswered instead of forcing myself to respond immediately.
- Pushing back on a work request that wasn’t mine to own.
Each time, I felt lighter. Reset.
Scripts to Make It Easier
Saying no doesn’t have to be complicated. Try these:
- “Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t commit right now.”
- “I’d love to, but my plate’s full.”
- “I don’t have capacity for this, but I appreciate you asking.”
Short, kind, and clear. No justifications required.
A Reader Challenge
Think of one place this week where you can reset your energy with a boundary. It might feel uncomfortable at first — but notice how free you feel afterward.
Because boundaries aren’t walls. They’re doors. And they always open you back up to yourself.