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Getting It All Done In College: Plan Your Days With The 1-3-5 Rule

Boost Your Productivity and Launch Your Goals Into Action!


Hand drawn calendar with September heading highlighted in yellow. Yellow highlighter lying on the open page


Here at Leveraged For Success, we're constantly uncovering more paths to a world of effective planning that will transform your daily routines and long-term aspirations! In this blog post, we'll introduce you to a simple yet powerful technique known as the 1-3-5 rule, which can help you stay organized, focused, and motivated. Whether you want to conquer your to-do list for the day or map your path for the next few years, this rule will be your secret sauce. So, grab your favorite planner and get ready to dive in!

What is the 1-3-5 Rule?


The 1-3-5 rule is a straightforward method for prioritizing tasks and goals. It's all about breaking down your plans into manageable chunks, ensuring you stay productive without feeling overwhelmed. The rule is based on setting one big, three medium, and five small goals for a given timeframe, whether a day or a year. This technique allows you to strike a balance between ambition and feasibility, making it perfect for students like you who have multiple commitments and dreams to pursue.


Mastering Daily Planning with the 1-3-5 Rule


Let's start by exploring how the 1-3-5 rule can supercharge your daily planning routine. By implementing this strategy, you'll maximize your productivity while maintaining a sense of accomplishment throughout the day. Sometimes we can really be down on ourselves - feeling we haven't done enough. Well, the 1-3-5 rule can help with that self-doubt. Here's how it works.


1. One Big Goal:

Begin your day by identifying one major goal that you want to achieve. This goal should be challenging yet attainable within the given timeframe. It could be finishing a research paper, completing a coding assignment, or preparing an important presentation.


2. Three Medium Goals:

Next, select three medium-level goals that align with your big goal. These goals should be significant steps toward accomplishing your main objective. For instance, if your big goal is to finish a research paper, your medium goals could involve conducting background research, outlining the paper, and writing the introduction.


3. Five Small Goals:

Finally, outline five small goals that will contribute to your overall progress. These goals should be quick and easy to complete, such as proofreading a previous assignment, organizing your study materials, or reviewing a chapter from a textbook.


Following the 1-3-5 rule, you'll create a roadmap for your day that maintains focus, prevents overwhelm, and encourages a sense of achievement as you tick off each task.

Check out this example:

Suppose you have a busy day ahead. Your big goal is to prepare for an upcoming exam. Your three medium goals could be reviewing lecture notes, practicing sample questions, and summarizing key concepts. Lastly, your five small goals might include reading an article related to the subject, scheduling a study group session, organizing your study space, creating flashcards, and revisiting a challenging topic. By completing these goals one by one, you'll make significant progress toward acing your exam.


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Building Your 1-3-5 Year Plan for Future Success


Now that you've mastered daily planning let's take your organizational skills to the next level with the 1-3-5 year plan. This approach will help you envision your long-term aspirations and break them into actionable steps.


1. One Big Goal:

Start by visualizing your ultimate long-term goal. This could be completing your degree, landing your dream job, starting a business, or pursuing further education. Choose a goal that truly inspires you and aligns with your passions.


2. Three Medium Goals:

Next, break down your long-term goal into three medium-level objectives.

These objectives should serve as milestones to achieve your big goal. They could include gaining relevant work experience, networking with professionals in your desired field, or acquiring specific skills through internships or extracurricular activities.


3. Five Small Goals:

Finally, determine five small goals to help you progress toward your medium-level objectives. These goals should be tangible and time-bound, such as attending career fairs, joining relevant student organizations, developing a professional online presence, or attending workshops or conferences.


Adopting the 1-3-5 rule for your long-term planning, you'll transform your dreams into actionable plans and increase your chances of success.


Here's an example:

Suppose your big goal is to become a successful entrepreneur. Your three medium goals could involve:

  • Gaining industry experience through internships.

  • Developing essential business skills through coursework or online courses.

  • Networking with successful entrepreneurs.

As for your five small goals, they might include attending entrepreneurship events, joining a business incubator program, creating a business plan, building a personal brand, and seeking mentorship from experienced professionals.


Embrace the 1-3-5 Rule and Leverage Your Strengths.


As college students, you possess immense potential and ambitious goals. However, navigating the path to success requires effective planning and organization. By adopting the 1-3-5 rule for your daily routines and long-term aspirations, you'll gain clarity, structure, and motivation.


Remember, the 1-3-5 rule isn't a magic solution but rather a practical and effective tool to guide your planning process. Feel free to adapt it to your unique needs and preferences. Experiment, learn from your experiences, and refine your approach along the way.


So, grab your planner, start setting those 1-3-5 goals, and get ready to launch your productivity, achieve your dreams, and make the most of your college journey. The power is in your hands, so go out there and make it happen!


*Remember: While the 1-3-5 rule can be highly effective, it's essential to maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize self-care. Adapt the technique to your personal needs, and remember to take breaks, relax, and have fun along the way.


Sharing is caring:

If you know someone who would benefit from the 1-3-5 rule, share this post. Let's support each other in using our time effectively, prioritizing, and planning. When we help each other get it all done - we move even closer to having fun.