❓ How Much Is Too Much? The 3-6 Method

Hey friend,

Do you ever feel like you are doing too much?

That’s something I struggle with.

I WANT to do a lot, but that doesn’t mean that I should…

Yesterday, I filmed content for a few hours in an effort to get a month’s worth of content done in a single day, but I fell short. So I have more to get done.

The day before that I spent a few hours prepping that content.

Today, I am producing more content (and writing this email) so I can get far enough ahead to take a trip with my family next week.

That’s just content.

I have meetings today and a handful tomorrow. We are implementing some killer strategies in Q4 that I am really excited about.

I have my hand in about a half dozen businesses and many of them need my direct attention. I also need to lead the teams I have well.

I have projects and ideas that I want to bring to life, but I can hardly find the time.

Oh, and that’s just work. I am a husband and father to three, and I never put them second, so I will prioritize them over work.

If you were wondering, today, we’ve got dance class and two different soccer practices. I’ll be coaching at one of the practices.

I am not complaining. I love all of it.

But I am doing it wrong…

There’s not near enough focus to do ALL of it well. I am doing it all, but none of it is being done to the standard I would typically hold myself to.

So what am I doing about it?

You may think “TRY HARDER” is just grit your teeth and pile it on. But that’s not what try harder means to me…

If the goal is GROWTH, then sporadically trying hard in 15 different areas will not lead to growth. So that is wasted effort. Wasted effort is not trying hard. That’s trying stupid.

Trying hard is putting in effort that will lead to results, which will require doing less.

So, in Q4, I am implementing what I call “The 3-6 Method.”

Here’s how it works: “The 3-6 Method.”

Each week, I am going to prioritize 3 focus tasks and 6 buffer tasks.

Focus tasks are moving the big rocks. Large chunks of focused worked on your most important projects. These tasks actually move you forward.

Buffer tasks are things like paying bills, delegating, answering emails, meetings, etc.

So each week I get 3 focus and 6 buffer tasks. That’s it.

And I have A LOT of stuff sitting on deck that I WANT to work on, but I simply won’t have the time when I strictly triage my schedule like this.

But here’s the real point of doing this.

While I stick to the 3-6 Method, I will track what’s being prioritized, what keeps getting pushed, and what is actually getting done.

I’ll do this for a full quarter, then make some big decisions to start 2025.

At the end of the quarter I’ll simply ask… “What will I cut?” -or- “Who do I hire?”

I’ll make those cuts/hires so I can be more productive in the areas that matter and still achieve growth.

So, how about you?

Do you feel like you are doing too much?

Give the 3-6 Method a try this quarter so you can hit the ground running in 2025.

This method can shine a light on stuff you maybe should just eliminate. But, if it’s not something that can be eliminated and it still needs to get done, then it’s time to hire.

Try Harder,

JM
P.S. - I tried something new with the newsletter today. Straight to the point. Reply and let me know how you like it (or don’t like it) compared to my other version.