When life feels chaotic—holiday rushes, tight deadlines, or unexpected curveballs—it’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why I want to share a simple method to help you stay on track: the “baseline day.”
It’s a low-effort, high-impact approach to ensure your most important tasks get done, even on your busiest days.
Step 1: Identify your non-negotiables
What absolutely needs to happen for your day to feel productive? Start with just three essentials:
- One health-related action (e.g., a short walk or drinking enough water).
- One work priority (e.g., sending a key email or finishing a small task).
- One personal or family task (e.g., a quick chat with a loved one).
Step 2: Set a low bar for success
Your baseline isn’t about perfection—it’s about momentum. If you’re juggling a million things, even a small step toward your goals can make a big difference.
For instance, instead of a full workout, aim for 10 minutes of stretching. Instead of deep-cleaning the house, tidy one cluttered area. Done is better than perfect.
Step 3: Reassess daily
Life shifts, and so should your baseline. Take a minute each evening to adjust your checklist for the next day. This keeps your goals realistic and meaningful.
Action step for today
Create a baseline checklist for tomorrow:
- A health action (e.g., a quick walk).
- A work priority (e.g., replying to a critical email).
- A personal or family task (e.g., reading with your kids).
That’s it. Start small, stay consistent, and let the momentum build.
Sometimes, less is more
On the toughest days, doing the bare minimum well can keep you moving forward. The baseline day method is your safety net—it ensures progress, no matter what.
Want to refine your daily system further? Check out our Time Flow System inside LifeHack All-Access:
👉 Learn more and take control of your time
Stay steady,
Leon
Founder & CEO @ LifeHack
