The Three Gates of Soulful Productivity
As someone who deeply struggles with staying on task, I’ve learned that being productive isn’t just about getting things done, it’s about getting the right things done. When I have too many to-dos on my list, I get overwhelmed fast. My brain short-circuits, and suddenly I’m bouncing between ten half-finished projects and nothing actually gets completed.
When I worked in design and creative project management, this was easier to manage. I had a boss. I had clients. I had regular check-ins and clearly defined deliverables. There were meetings, deadlines, collaborative team workflows, structure and accountability were baked in.
Now? I’m the boss. I answer to myself.
Yes, I have clients, but they’re scheduled. And unlike design work, my current sessions don’t require hours of prep ahead of time. Sure, I review my notes, reflect on previous sessions, and tune into what’s needed, but the load is different. Lighter, in some ways. But also heavier… because now, the structure has to come from me.
Over the past two years of building my business from scratch, I’ve had to confront the hard truth: just because I’m busy doesn’t mean I’m making progress.
There have been so many days where I poured effort in the wrong direction.
So many times I spun my wheels without moving forward.
So many moments where I knew what needed to be done… but couldn’t bring myself to do it.
And in that space, I’ve tried just about every organizational tool under the sun.
Calendars. Time blocks. Notion dashboards. Sticky notes.
Some of them helped. Most of them just added more noise.
But then a recent conversation with my husband sparked something new.
The Three Gates That Inspired It All
We were talking about the Three Gates of Communication, a framework often used to check whether something is worth saying. The idea is that before something leaves your mouth, it should pass through three gates:
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?
Is it true?
Simple and powerful.
And it got me thinking…
What if I created my own gates? Not for communication,
but for soul-aligned productivity.
Because what I really needed wasn’t another planner…
I needed a compass.
Something to guide me when I was feeling scattered, unsure, or overwhelmed.
Something I could come back to in real time to check:
“Is this the right thing for me to be doing right now?”
So I created this:
The Three Gates of Soulful Productivity
Whether I’m planning my week, choosing what to prioritize, or wondering if a task is worth my time, I now run it through these three gates:
1. Is it aligned?
Does this task reflect my current vision, values, or goals?
Or am I doing this just to feel productive?
2. Is it effective?
Will this move me closer to a tangible result, impact, or desired outcome?
Is it making a real dent, or just keeping me busy?
3. Is it timely?
Is this the right thing to be doing right now, based on my energy level, priorities, and the season I’m in?
Why This Works
(Especially if You’re Neurodivergent, Self-Employed, or Building Something Big)
This filter isn’t just about productivity. It’s about protecting your energy.
It’s about staying connected to your why without getting lost in the how.
When you work for yourself, or you're creating something that doesn't follow a traditional roadmap, it’s so easy to get pulled off course. Easy to start reacting instead of choosing. Easy to get lost in low-impact tasks or hide in research loops that feel like action but don’t lead anywhere.
The Three Gates give me a touchstone.
They help me pause.
And most importantly, they help me redirect without judgment.
Make It Your Own
These gates are mine, but they don’t have to be yours.
You might resonate with different words.
Maybe you swap out “effective” for “joyful.”
Maybe “timely” becomes “supportive.”
You get to decide.
This is meant to serve as your reminder: Your time is sacred. Your energy is currency.
Let your soul have a say in how you spend it.
Want to Try It?
Here’s a quick exercise to take this deeper:
Pick a task or project you’ve been avoiding or unsure about.
Run it through the Three Gates:
Is it aligned?
Is it effective?
Is it timely?
If it passes all three, do it.
If it doesn’t, release it or rework it until it fits.
Free printable: The Three Gates of Soulful Productivity
(Desk or Altar Card)
Want a simple visual reminder to keep you focused and aligned?
Grab the free printable Three Gates of Soulful Productivity card and keep it on your desk or altar.
Until next time,
Stay rooted. Stay intentional. Stay in alignment.
