- Productivity
3 Easy Ways to Prioritize for Less Stress & More Focus
Powerful Prioritization Strategies to Manage Your Time Better
That overwhelming feeling when you have so much to do and don’t know where to start—or when it seems like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get it all done. We’ve been there, and it can feel crippling. But the good news? It doesn’t have to stay that way–there are evidence-based ways to gain clarity, reduce stress & take control of your time.
Below are some strategies that productivity experts use to stay on track and focus on what matters most. We’ve also added our science-backed take on prioritisation including prioritising things that you love doing, because we know that happiness makes us more productive and less stressed!
1. The Eisenhower Matrix: Prioritize by Urgency & Importance
Made famous by former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower, this method helps you categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance.
Tasks are sorted into four quadrants:
- Urgent & Important – Do it now.
Examples: studying for tomorrow’s test, finishing a project due today.
2. Important but Not Urgent – Schedule it.
Examples: long-term projects, exercise, skill-building.
3. Urgent but Not Important – Delegate or limit
Examples: responding to non-essential emails or texts.
4.Not Urgent & Not Important – Eliminate or minimize
Example: excessive social media scrolling.
This strategy is best for: Those who struggle with time-wasting tasks and need a clear way to prioritize responsibilities.
2. Due Date + Emotional Prioritization: Clear Your Mind First
This method helps you manage deadlines while also addressing the emotional weight of tasks that may be causing stress.
How to apply it:
- Sort tasks by due date – Organize your to-do list based on deadlines so nothing urgent is missed.
- Highlight high-stress or high-importance tasks – Identify tasks that cause you the most anxiety or have the biggest impact on your well-being or success.
- Tackle emotionally draining tasks first – Completing stressful tasks early helps clear your mind, making it easier to focus on the rest.
Best for: Individuals who feel mentally overwhelmed and need a way to manage both deadlines and stress effectively.
3. The Ivy Lee Method: Simplify Your To-Do List
Developed in the early 1900s, this simple yet effective strategy helps you prioritize your daily tasks by limiting focus to just six key actions.
How it works:
- At the end of each day, write down the six most important tasks for tomorrow.
- Rank them in order of importance.
- The next day, start with task #1 and complete it before moving to the next.
- Any unfinished tasks move to the next day’s list.
Best for: People who struggle with focus and need a structured daily plan.
The Wisely Way: How Our Academic & Wellbeing Planner Supports Prioritization
Our Academic & Wellbeing Planner integrates multiple prioritization techniques, allowing students to find what works best for them.
One strategy we encourage is the Must-Do, Should-Do, Could-Do Method:
- Must-Do (Today’s To-Dos): The most essential tasks that must be completed today.
- Should-Do (To-Dos Due Soon): Important tasks that need attention soon but are not urgent.
- Could-Do (Future or Less Important To-Dos): Tasks that are optional, due later, or lower priority.
In addition to academic and personal responsibilities, we believe well-being should be a top priority. That’s why we’ve introduced a ‘Love To-Do’ list in our newest edition of the planner—because your well-being matters just as much as your tasks! Add activities that bring you joy and relaxation to your daily to-dos.
Why does this matter? Research shows that engaging in activities we love reduces stress, improves focus, and enhances productivity. When we take intentional breaks to do things that bring us joy, we return to our responsibilities feeling more energized and motivated. Balancing work with moments of joy isn’t just self-care—it’s a strategy for long-term success.
Pre-orders for the new planner open soon stay tuned to our website and social media platforms!
Your Turn!
- Write down your to-do list for today.
- Choose one of the methods above.
- Tackle your tasks with clarity and confidence!
Try this for one week and see how it changes the way you get things done
How to Help Your Teen or Tween Prioritize
Helping teens and tweens develop strong prioritization skills can set them up for success in school and life. Here are some ways parents can support them:
- Model Good Time Management – Show your child how you prioritize tasks by explaining your own system, whether it’s using a planner, time blocking, or making to-do lists.
- Encourage Planning & Routine – Help them create a weekly or daily plan for schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and downtime. Encourage them to review priorities each evening to prepare for the next day.
- Help Them Break Down Tasks – Large projects can feel overwhelming. Teach them to break tasks into smaller, manageable steps and tackle them one at a time.
- Discuss Stress & Emotional Prioritization – If a task is causing stress, talk it through. Encourage them to tackle emotionally draining tasks first to clear their mind and make other tasks feel more manageable.
- Promote Balance – Remind them that rest, hobbies, and social time matter too! Encourage a “Love To-Do” list so they prioritize well-being along with responsibilities.
- Help them use a Planner or Visual Tool – Whether it’s a digital calendar or a physical planner like the Wisely & Co Academic & Wellbeing Planner, having a structured place to organize tasks makes prioritization easier and more consistent.
By guiding them through these strategies, parents can help their child build confidence in their ability to manage time and tasks effectively
Final Thoughts
Prioritization is about working smarter, not harder.
Whether you use the Eisenhower Matrix to manage urgency, the Due Date + Emotional Prioritization method to tackle stress-inducing tasks first, the Ivy Lee Method to simplify your day, the Wisely Way to balance planning and wellbeing or a mix of different strategies, choosing the right approach can help you stay organized and reduce overwhelm.
Which prioritization method works best for you and which one works best for your child? Let us know!
We’re Here for You
Parenting tweens and teens isn’t always easy, but small steps can make a big difference. The Wisely & Co Academic & Wellbeing Planner is here to support your family every step of the way.
If you ever have questions, need advice, or just want to share your child’s progress, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at talktous@wiselyandco.com. We’re in this together, cheering for you and your amazing kids.
Sources
- ClickUp. (2024). How to Use the Ivy Lee Method for Productivity. Retrieved from https://clickup.com/blog/ivy-lee-method/
- Asana. (2025). The Eisenhower Matrix: How to prioritize your to-do list. Retrieved from https://asana.com/resources/eisenhower-matrix
- Neuroscience News. (2021). The Science Behind Why Hobbies Can Improve Our Mental Health. [online] Available at: https://neurosciencenews.com/hobby-mental-health-17765/.
- Mariotti, A. (2015). The effects of chronic stress on health: new insights into the molecular mechanisms of brain–body communication. Future Science OA, [online] 1(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.4155/fso.15.21.
