Do you know what I've been saying the most lately?

"Ah, I was really busy today." Haha

I wake up in the morning, check my emails, go to work for meetings, chat with colleagues on KakaoTalk, have lunch, and then work some more.

By the time I finish work and go grocery shopping, it's already past 7 or 8 PM.

But the strange thing is, even though I've been moving around so much, when I lie in bed at night and think about it, I realize that there are many days when I haven't finished any of the important tasks.

Then, not long ago, I learned about a time management method called MIT.

At first, I thought MIT was some amazing productivity theory developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Haha

But it turns out it stands for Most Important Task.

In simple terms, it means to focus on the most important task of the day first.

I usually like to make a to-do list. I write down what I need to do for the day while having my morning coffee.

Sending emails to clients, calling about loan inquiries, organizing documents, exercising, cleaning out the fridge, grocery shopping, and so on.

The problem is that I tend to start with the easier tasks.

I check off sending an email, ordering a package, and checking my internet bill.

But I end up not even touching the most important tasks, and the day ends. I think this is the difference between living busily and living productively.

The MIT method asks, "If you could only finish one task today, what would it be?"

When I think about it, the more important the task, the less I want to start it.

For example, writing an important report at work or creating a financial plan.

These tasks require a lot of brainpower and come with pressure about the results.

On the other hand, replying to emails or online shopping can be done without much thought. So my brain keeps choosing the easier tasks.

However, what I've realized by practicing MIT is that finishing important tasks first significantly reduces the overall burden of the day.

Once I handle the most daunting task in the morning, the rest of the tasks feel much lighter.

Three Important Tasks a Day is Enough

Using the MIT method is simpler than you might think.

These days, I try to write down the three most important tasks every morning.

The first is a task that must be completed, the second is a task that helps with future goals, and the third is something important in my personal life.

For example, completing an important work report today, exercising for 30 minutes, and making that long-overdue doctor's appointment.

Of course, there are days when I can't finish all three. But at the very least, I make sure to handle the first task.

Suddenly incoming emails may feel like they need an immediate response, but in reality, it might be fine to reply tomorrow.

Conversely, health check-up appointments or personal development tasks that aren't urgent can be postponed for months, leading to regret later.

What I liked most about the MIT method is the idea of using your best time for important tasks.

Everyone has different times when they can focus well.

For me, the time from when I have my morning coffee until just before lunch is when my brain works best.

But in the past, I wasted that time checking emails and reading the news.

By the time I started on important tasks, my brain was already tired.

These days, I try to focus on one important task for about 60 to 90 minutes in the morning.

At first, I found it hard to concentrate for even 20 minutes, but I'm getting used to it little by little.

In the past, when the day ended, I would only think, "I was busy all day again," but now I can say, "At least I finished one important task today," and those days are gradually increasing.

The difference is bigger than I expected.

Tomorrow morning, instead of writing a long to-do list while having my coffee, I'm going to ask myself just one question.

"What is the one thing I can finish today that would make it a good day?"

And then I'll start that task first.