Glossary
Most important task (MIT), explained
Most important tasks, or MITs, are the one to three tasks that would make the day a success if nothing else got done. Leo Babauta popularised the term on his blog Zen Habits.
What it means
A to-do list treats everything as equal. Naming one to three MITs forces a choice about what matters today, and doing them early protects them from the rest of the day.
How to do it in a calendar
- At the end of each day, choose tomorrow's MITs.
- Give each one a block in the morning.
- Everything else fits around them.
An example
Tomorrow's MITs: send the proposal (09:00, 1 h), call the supplier (10:15, 30 min), train (17:00, 1 h). Each is a block in Cutline.
Common mistakes
- Five MITs. Then none of them is most important.
- MITs with no time. If it is not in the calendar, it is a wish.
Questions
MIT or eat the frog?
Same family. Eat the frog is one hard task first; MITs are up to three important ones, done early.
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