Get More Done with the “3-3-3 Method”使用“3-3-3法则”提高效率

Sometimes， determining which projects you should devote your time and energy to first takes energy you don’t have to spare （which is why we have tips for how to do it）. But even when you know what tasks need to be done， you still need to figure out how to prioritize them. Try the “3-3-3 method”.

有时候，决定首先应该投入时间和精力的项目已经花掉了你本不必花的精力（这也是我们提供相关建议的原因）。但即便你清楚需要完成哪些任务，你还得确定它们的优先级。试试“3-3-3法则”吧。

What is the “3-3-3 method”？

什么是“3-3-3法则”？

This technique comes from Oliver Burkeman. He advocates planning each workday around a 3-3-3 model， first devoting three hours to deep work on your most important project. Next， complete three other urgent tasks that don’t require three hours of focus. Finally， do three “maintenance” tasks， like cleaning， answering emails， or scheduling other work.

这一方法是奥利弗·伯克曼提出来的。他主张将每个工作日按照3-3-3模型来安排。先为最关键的项目投入三小时的深度工作。然后，完成另外三项不需要三小时都集中精力的紧急任务。最后，进行三项持续性的任务，比如做清洁、回复邮件或计划其他工作。

To figure out which tasks are which， I recommend using a prioritization method like the Eisenhower matrix， which involves using a quadrant system to divvy up your responsibilities by urgency and importance. You’ll want to consider not only how timely the things you need to do are， as well as how many resources they’ll consume.

为了区别不同类型的任务，我建议采用艾森豪威尔矩阵等优先级划分方法。该方法使用四象限系统，根据紧急性和重要性对任务进行分类。你不仅要考虑你需要做的事情需要多及时，还要考虑它们会消耗多少资源。

Why the “3-3-3 method” works？

为什么“3-3-3法则”奏效？

What distinguishes this method from other productivity hacks are those first three hours of deep work. Jumping into them first means you’ll be fresh and more likely to be able to jump into a task without getting distracted. Keep those three hours free of emails， texts， chit-chat， or other menial duties， to the best of your ability.

这种方法与其他提升生产力的窍门的不同之处在于，一开始的三个小时进行深度工作。一开始就投入其中，你会感觉更清醒，也更容易全神贯注于任务，不被分心。尽量不在这三个小时内处理电子邮件、短信、闲谈或其他琐事。

Deep work yields major productivity， so you’ll get a lot accomplished if you commit to it. But you can’t stay in that mindset forever. You’ll top out after about three hours， so it’s best to have those three other， smaller tasks lined up and ready to go so you can stay productive even while downshifting into less demanding responsibilities.

深度工作可以显著提高生产效率，只要全身心投入，你便能取得丰硕成果。然而，这种状态无法持久。你的工作状态大约在三个小时后会达到顶峰，因此最好安排好三个较轻松的小任务，随时准备着手。这样即便是在转向较低强度工作时，你也能继续保持效率。

Finally， your maintenance tasks give you a chance to get things done while giving your brain a rest. Use your maintenance time to prepare for the following day’s work or put finishing touches on whatever you were working on during those three hours of intense focus.

最后，持续性任务让你在放松大脑的同时也能够顺利完成工作。利用维护时间为第二天的工作做好准备，或者在那三小时高度集中工作后，对正在进行的项目进行最后的完善。

Word Bank

advocate /'ædvəkeɪt/ v. 主张

distracted /dɪ'stræktɪd/ adj. 思想不集中的

I can’t let myself be distracted by those things.