The 3-Task Rule: How to Ditch the To-Do List and Actually Get Things Done
Aug 07, 2025
For veterinary professionals growing online businesses
If you’re anything like most veterinary professionals juggling a practice, family, and an online business... your to-do list is probably a mile long.
One day you’re recording a reel. The next, you’re tweaking a Canva template, replying to DMs, editing your eBook, updating your website, and wondering why you're still up at midnight.
The truth? Long to-do lists don’t help you grow your business. They just keep you busy.
And busy isn’t the same as productive.
That’s where the 3-Task Rule comes in.
What is the 3-Task Rule?
It’s a simple but powerful concept:
You focus on only three high-impact tasks each day. That’s it.
Instead of drowning in a list of 17 things (and feeling like a failure when you only check off 4), you pick three things that will actually move your business forward.
Not admin fluff. Not busywork. But tasks that lead to visibility, leads, or sales.
Why It Works for Vet Pros in Online Business
As a vet, you’re trained to multitask, solve urgent problems, and care deeply about outcomes. But when it comes to building an online business, you need to slow down and zoom out.
Your time is limited.
Your energy is finite.
And your goals are different now.
You didn’t start this to burn out all over again. You started this to gain time freedom, and the 3-Task Rule helps you protect it.
How to Use the 3-Task Rule (Even on a Crazy Week)
Here’s how to make it work for you:
1. Define your weekly focus
Start each week by asking:
“What do I want to achieve by Friday that will grow my business?”
That might be:
- Getting a lead magnet finished and live
- Emailing your list twice this week
- Recording 3 reels that highlight your expertise
2. Break it into 3 daily tasks
Then each morning, choose three realistic tasks that support that weekly focus.
Example:
- Monday: Write your lead magnet outline, post to Instagram, follow up with leads
- Tuesday: Design your PDF, film one reel, reply to comments
- Wednesday: Upload PDF to your site, write a sales email, schedule an IG post
That’s it. No need to squeeze in 12 things.
3. Time block for each task
Once you’ve picked your three, block off time for them in your calendar.
Treat it like a vet appointment , it’s non-negotiable.
But What About the Other Stuff?
There will always be other things:
Emails, DMs, admin, laundry, family life.
Here’s what to remember:
- Your business doesn’t grow from inbox zero.
It grows when you create, connect, and convert. - Not everything is urgent.
If something needs doing, schedule it for later, but don’t let it steal your focus.
Real Talk: Why This Matters
You didn’t become a vet to stare at your laptop all day.
And you didn’t start your online business to swap clinic burnout for content burnout.
Using the 3-Task Rule keeps your time focused on what matters, not what feels urgent.
It frees you up to do the things you love, like helping pets, educating owners, and spending time with your family.
Ready to try it this week?
Write down your three most important business tasks for tomorrow.
Stick to them.
Celebrate getting them done.
Then close the laptop and go hug your dog.
Stick to them.
Celebrate getting them done.
Then close the laptop and go hug your dog.
You’ve earned it.