Why engineers need fewer priorities - not better time management
By Raido Kivikangur
Still trying to “get organized”? That’s not the real problem.
This guide cuts deeper: down to the system overload that’s wrecking your clarity.
Clean it up, and suddenly, you’re the calm one in the chaos - the engineer who always delivers.
The myth: "I just need to organize better"
If your to-do list looks like a microservice jungle, you’re not alone.
Engineers thrive on systems - but when every system screams for attention, focus dies.
The default solution? More planning. More tools. More apps.
But here’s the trap: organizing chaos is still chaos.
You don’t need better productivity. You need fewer priorities.
You can’t systematize your way out of overwhelm if the inputs never stop.
Let me show you what actually works.
The truth: focus is a subtraction game
Every engineer knows the power of constraints.
Fewer variables mean faster debugging. Fewer tools mean tighter systems.
Your life is no different.
The fewer the priorities, the more the progress.
You think you're overwhelmed because of time.
You're actually overwhelmed because of decision fatigue.
Every yes splits your focus. Every “quick task” becomes a context switch.
And context switching is the silent killer of momentum.
So don’t organize the noise. Mute it.
Eliminate the mental tabs you’re keeping open.
And once you start removing the excess, something unexpected happens - clarity returns.
My turning point
A few years ago, I hit a wall. I was running a fast-moving engineering team, juggling five projects, attending non-stop meetings, and trying to be the "yes" person for everyone. At the end of each day, I felt exhausted - but weirdly unaccomplished.
One Friday, I opened my laptop to plan the weekend and realized I couldn’t remember a single deep win from the week. Just a hundred scattered tasks and distractions. That night, I made a change. I canceled three standing meetings, paused one major side project, and started blocking out two-hour deep work windows each morning.
The first week felt strange. The second felt powerful. By the third, my team started noticing: "You're way more present. What's changed?"
What changed was simple: fewer inputs. More focus.
How to apply it today
1. Do a priority purge
Take your current to-do list. Be ruthless.
Ask: What if I could only keep three?
Delete the rest. If it’s important, it will scream again later. If not, good riddance.
2. Use the 3x3 rule
Each day: Focus on 3 high-impact tasks max.
Each week: Stick to 3 core themes or focus areas.
Each quarter: Anchor around 3 major goals.
3. Identify energy thieves
What drains you? Unclear meetings? Vague tasks? Multitasking?
Write down your top 3 energy leaks.
Cut or delegate them. Engineers debug machines - now debug your calendar.
4. Replace 'maybe' with 'no'
If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.
'Maybe' is a decision-killer. It creates drag on every system you touch.
5. Lock in deep work windows
Two hours. No meetings. No context switches.
Just you and your most valuable problem.
Treat it like uptime. Shut every tab. Set a timer.
6. Make space before you add more
Don’t take on new projects until you’ve completed - or killed - existing ones.
Add capacity by subtraction. It’s how resilient systems work.
Don’t take on new projects until you’ve completed - or killed - existing ones.
Add capacity by subtraction. It’s how resilient systems work.
The real shift: stop playing whack-a-mole
You don’t need to juggle more. You need to drop what doesn’t matter.
Focus isn’t a time issue. It’s a clarity issue.
When you prioritize less, you accomplish more.
Your systems breathe easier. You breathe easier.
Cut the noise. Pick your signal. Then go build.
Want to reclaim your focus with a tailored strategy?
Book a free 30-minute clarity call with me - and walk away with a custom approach designed for your goals, workflow, and challenges.
No fluff. Just focus.