The ‘Now / Not Now’ method: a simple prioritisation technique
If your brain feels like it has 37 tabs open and you're struggling to focus, I want to introduce you to a technique that's as simple as it is transformative: the Now / Not Now method.
This week, I had a team of gardeners turn my overgrown jungle of a garden into a serene outdoor space. It wasn’t a forgotten task. It had been on my "Not Now" list for over a year.
And that’s exactly the point.
The garden wasn’t urgent. I didn’t have the bandwidth. So I parked it.
Because Not Now doesn’t mean never. It just means I chose to protect my focus and prioritise what truly mattered at the time.
What is the Now / Not Now Method?
The Now / Not Now method is a beautifully straightforward way to manage competing priorities. You look at everything on your plate and ask:
“Does this need my time and energy now? Or not now?”
That’s it. Two buckets. No complex matrix, no colour-coded urgency scales. Just clarity.
Originally popularised by agile and product management expert Mike Cohn, this method aligns with how our brains naturally make decisions. We are wired to focus on what feels immediate and concrete, and this technique leverages that tendency.
Many teams will refer to a ‘parking lot’ as a place to store ideas, tasks or things that are not being worked on now but may be revisited (our ‘not now’ bucket) - I think I’ve been working with Americans for too long, because a lot of my terminology is now very corporate America! Anyway, this then allows us to keep our focus on current tasks and priorities that are ‘on the road’ (our ‘now’ bucket).
Why This Method Works
It Simplifies Decision-Making
You don't need to rank every task. You simply decide if something belongs in the Now pile or the Not Now pile. That alone clears mental space.It Creates Breathing Room
By consciously deferring what's not essential, you reduce overwhelm and make room to do your best work.It Reduces Guilt
Saying "not now" isn't procrastination. It's mindful prioritisation. You're not abandoning the task; you're choosing when to give it your attention.It Encourages Creative Solutions
Some things don’t need your energy. They just need a gardener. Or a quiet "not now."
How to Use It
You can try it right now. Grab a piece of paper or open a doc and do a quick brain dump of everything on your mind:
Client work
Emails
That half-finished landing page
The team meeting agenda
Planning your next offer
Now ask: Does this need my time and energy now? Or not now?
Be honest. Protect your energy. You might be surprised how many things fall into the "Not Now" pile once you give yourself permission to defer.
Revisit Your "Not Now" List Regularly
Your "Not Now" list isn't a black hole. It’s a conscious holding zone.
Review it weekly or monthly. What’s ready to move to Now? What can be delegated? What no longer matters?
That garden of mine? A year later, the timing felt right. I had the resources to hire help, and the mental bandwidth to get it sorted.
It felt so good to tick it off, without the stress of having tried to do it all, all at once.
If You're Feeling Overwhelmed...
This method is especially powerful if you're juggling multiple roles, wearing all the hats or navigating life with limited energy (hello fellow spoonies, parents, carers and busy entrepreneurs).
You don’t need another colour-coded planner. You need clarity. You need space. You need a system that works with your brain, not against it.
The Now / Not Now method gives you exactly that.
Want More Tools Like This?
Read more: How to Prioritise
Download: Time Audit Workbook
Explore: Get More Time – my self-paced course
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