Your Minimal Viable Routine: Making Space for What Matters


❄️ 3 of 4: This is part three of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!!

Over the past two weeks, we've created our decision filter and crafted graceful boundary responses. Now let's weave these into a simple daily routine that feels natural, but not overwhelming - let's call it your MVR: Minimal Viable Routine.

The key is to start small. Think of your MVR as your support system – three gentle checkpoints that help you maintain your creative boundaries without draining your energy.

YOUR 3 CHECKPOINTS

  1. Morning Filter Check (2 minutes)
    • Glance at your day's commitments
    • Review your three filter questions
    • Identify one priority to protect
  2. Response Template Ready (1 minute)
    • Keep your chosen boundary response nearby
    • Have it ready for unexpected requests
    • Trust that it's okay to use it
  3. Evening Boundary Check (2 minutes)
    • Notice where your boundaries held strong
    • Note any places they need adjusting
    • Acknowledge what you protected today

Your Simple Action Step:

Choose just ONE of these checkpoints to try tomorrow. Maybe it's the morning filter check, or perhaps the evening reflection feels more natural. Start there.

Next week, we'll explore how to track these small wins and adjust your system as needed.

A minimal routine isn't about doing more – it's about creating space for what matters most!


I'd love to hear how you're planning to create a thriving and creating work and home environment in the new year! Be sure to subscribe to the No More Lists newsletter for introvert-friendly, right-brain productivity and project management tips.

Ditch the to-do lists

Lists don't work when you are stuck. Learn right-brain productivity, planning and project management tips every week. Join your fellow introvert creators and get things done (from the comfort of your own email inbox).

Read more from Ditch the to-do lists
A couple of glasses of wine sitting on top of a table

🎉 4 of 4: This is part four of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! Happy New Year! I hope it's been a good one so far. Over the past three weeks, we've built a system of filters, boundaries, and routines. Now let's create an easy way to maintain these practices without adding pressure or overwhelm. The key is to keep your progress tracking as minimal as your system. Just a quick weekly check-in to notice what's working and what needs adjusting. YOUR SIMPLE...

A table with a christmas tree and an open book

🎁 2 of 4: This is part two of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! Last week, we created our 3-Question Filter (Does this align? Do I have energy? Will I want this next week?). Now let's turn those "no's" into graceful responses that honor both your creative needs and your relationships. As an introvert, I often worry about disappointing others. But having ready-to-use responses makes setting boundaries feel less daunting. Boundaries can help protect your...

☃️ 1 of 4: This is part one of a four-part series on getting ready to be productive in the New Year!! As creative introverts, we often say yes to things because we want to be helpful, to seize opportunities, or sometimes just to avoid the discomfort of saying no. But taking on too much can drain our creative energy and leave us feeling overwhelmed. What if you had a simple way to evaluate opportunities before they overwhelm you? Enter your 3-Question Filter – it's your guide for making...