When a farmer taught a lesson in planning, he made prioritizing tasks feel surprisingly simple. What if we could apply that same clear structure to our own work and get more done, with less stress?
The morning sun painted the farmer’s market in warm hues, and the admin team lead wandered between the lively stalls, trying to clear her mind. Work had been overwhelming. The support functions she managed were constantly firefighting, struggling to meet deadlines and deliver quality. Other teams rarely voiced direct complaints, but their feedback was telling: “We’re still waiting on approvals,” or “Can we get this resolved faster next time?”
Her thoughts were interrupted as she noticed a farmer meticulously arranging his produce. The stall stood out—neat rows of apples, guavas, and potatoes, all placed with care. She couldn’t help but ask, “Aap itne ache se kaise arrange kar lete ho? It’s all so nicely organized, how do you do it?”
The farmer smiled. “Sab kuch ek system ke saath hota hai. Jo sabse fresh aur demand mein hai, woh aage rakhta hoon—one row of top-priority items. Phir teen rows of items that are still important but not urgent. Aur last mein, baaki cheezein jo log kabhi-kabhi lete hain.”
It sounded simple, but it sparked an idea. The structure he described—a focus on one, three, and five—could be the solution to her team’s chaos. The next day, she walked into the office with a renewed sense of purpose. Gathering her team in the conference room, she grabbed a marker and drew three columns on the whiteboard:
- One Major Task
- Three Medium Tasks
- Five Minor Tasks
“This is how we’ll prioritize from now on,” she explained. “Every day, we’ll focus on:
- One major task that has the most impact.
- Three medium tasks that are important but manageable.
- Five minor tasks like emails, follow-ups, or small admin work.”
A team member raised a hand. “But how will we decide which task is major?”
“Think from the stakeholder’s perspective,” she replied.
“What will make the biggest impact on their work? That’s your priority. And no multitasking—complete these nine tasks before moving on to anything else.”
There were murmurs of agreement, though some looked unsure. As the week progressed, the team began to adjust. Mornings started with short sync-ups where tasks were categorized into the 1-3-5 framework.
The structure made their workload feel more manageable. By midweek, the finance team head approached her with a relieved smile. “The invoices you cleared first thing Monday morning helped us avoid a late fee.
Pehle toh sab last minute hota tha.” The admin lead smiled.
That was exactly the impact she hoped for. Even small wins started to add up. HR shared during a coffee break, “Pehle toh sab kuch ek saath karne ki koshish hoti thi. Ab ek major task pe focus karna zyada productive lagta hai.”
Even small wins started to add up. HR shared during a coffee break, “Pehle toh sab kuch ek saath karne ki koshish hoti thi. Ab ek major task pe focus karna zyada productive lagta hai.” She herself felt the difference. Instead of constantly juggling tasks, she could dedicate time to strategic work without the guilt of leaving minor tasks behind.
A month later, the transformation was undeniable. Delays had reduced, and approvals were on time. Teams that once relied on constant follow-ups now trusted her team to deliver. Most importantly, her own team felt less overwhelmed and more in control.
Tasks were completed more efficiently, with less context-switching and reduced stress for everyone involved. The 1-3-5 technique helped simplify and organize their workload, making it possible to focus on what truly mattered. Productivity soared, and the team’s sense of control was restored.
The results were clear: A 5% reduction in effort, fewer missed deadlines, and a smoother workflow all around.
It all came back to that morning at the market. The farmer’s simple system had turned out to be a game-changer.
Sometimes, the best lessons come from unexpected places. And sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to turn chaos into clarity.
So, are you ready to transform your team’s operations? Comment below with your thoughts on how prioritization could improve your workflow. Let’s start the conversation!
