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Three Tasks You Should Do Every Day to Stay Happy and Productive


Some days, even the best job can be a bit of a drag. If you want to get things done—but still keep your sanity—Jay Shirley's "Must, Should, Want" method can go a long way.

Jay Shirley, creator of productivity app The Daily Practice, keeps his days productive and enjoyable by formulating his to-do list with three things in mind:

First thing in the morning when you create your to-do list, start with these three entries:

I must ______________ (a high-priority task that will have an immediate impact)

I should ____________ (a task that will contribute to your long-term goals)

I want ______________ (something you genuinely want to do)

With this approach, every day you're working on something that will benefit you in the short-term, as well as lay the groundwork for long-term goals. And the "I want" task helps maintain your sanity by building in a little time for something you're passionate about.

Not only will the "want" task keep you happy, but the "should" task—usually a long-term task you've been ignoring—will keep you feeling mega productive and accomplished, which is happiness in its own right.

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Photo by Stacy Spensley.