First, grab a single sheet and make a table with three columns: Task, Deadline, Priority. Keep each entry short, just the action word and a number for the deadline. Then use conditional formatting to color code the priority—red for urgent, orange for medium, green for low. When you see a task turn red, you know you need to move it to the top of the next day. Next, create a separate sheet for “Today’s Focus.” List the top three tasks from your main table, then add a column for “Estimated Time.” That helps you see if the day will overrun or if you can fit everything in. Finally, lock the cells that contain formulas so you don’t accidentally change the logic, and use the filter button on the header to show only tasks that are overdue or due within 24 hours. When life gets noisy, just pull up that filtered view and you’ll see what really needs attention. Keep the spreadsheet light—no more than a few dozen rows—and update it at the start and end of each day. That’s the routine that keeps the chaos from taking over.

Start with the main table; that’s your base. Once you have the tasks, dates, and priority set, add the Today’s Focus sheet. It’s just a quick copy‑paste of the top items. For locking formulas, highlight the cells that contain the formulas, right‑click, protect sheet, and uncheck “Select locked cells.” That way only those cells are protected; the rest of the sheet stays editable. Good luck, and feel free to ping me if you hit a snag.

Add a project column only if you juggle several projects at once; otherwise keep it simple. If you do add it, use a drop‑down list to keep entries consistent. For the daily reminder, pin the spreadsheet to your desktop or use a calendar alert. A quick glance in the morning will remind you to hit “Update” and color code any new items. That way you avoid a pile of uncolored cells. I’ll let you know if I hear of any new tricks.