Decision fatigue paralyzes productivity. When faced with a sprawling to-do list, the brain struggles to prioritize, often defaulting to procrastination or low-value tasks. The “Two-List Method,” popularized by Warren Buffett, simplifies focus and eliminates the anxiety of unfinished tasks.
Create the Master List
Write down every current goal or task. This includes everything from “finish the quarterly report” to “buy milk.” Do not filter. The goal is to capture everything weighing on the mind. A typical list might have 25 items.
Select the Top Five
Review the master list. Circle the top five items that yield the highest impact or have the most urgent deadlines. Be ruthless. Only five make the cut.
The Rule of Avoidance
This is the critical step. The remaining 20 items do not become a “secondary list.” They become the “Avoid at All Costs” list. These tasks are distractions. They offer a false sense of productivity but prevent progress on the top five.
Why It Works
Partial attention kills performance. Working on item #8 while worrying about item #1 results in mediocrity for both. The Two-List Method forces single-minded dedication to the vital few. Until the top five are complete, nothing else exists.
Daily Application
Apply this micro-scale daily. Each morning, list three absolute must-dos. Everything else is a distraction until those three are finished. This protects high-energy morning hours for high-value work.