Book review: Pick Three

By Randi Zuckerberg

Book review: Pick Three

Hey Besties! We are still in January, and what's better to start the year than a self-help book?

Sometimes I find books, sometimes they find me. In this case, this book chose me. I was having sushi with friends seven years ago (oh my, where does time go), then we wandered into a bookstore. Determined to grab something on the go, I picked up this one or maybe it picked me.

In this self-help read, I learned two things:

1. I don’t sleep enough.

2. I’m not sure I can sum up my life in just five key areas.

Those realisations kept me hooked because, as a Virgo, I ask myself, "What's wrong with me today?" at least three times a day.

In today's book review, we will talk about Pick Three, by Randi Zuckerberg. In this book, we learn about Randi, her university days, how she met her husband, her journey to Broadway as a mother of two, and how none of it would have been possible if she hadn’t disciplined herself to pick three things to focus on each day.

I'll explain; according to her, our lives can be summed up in five categories: Sleep, Fitness, Work/School, Friends, and Family.

If you can manage to give equal attention to all five every day, congratulations… You are officially insane. But if, like me, you're learning to prioritise, then this is for you.

Personally, I exercise, I don’t sleep enough, I work Monday to Friday, I love my friends, I love my family, I go to church on Sunday, and I like my alone time. So maybe I have seven categories (bonus points for “Self” and my Faith). And honestly? There’s just not enough energy to feed them all daily.

The concept, as explained, consists of choosing three focus areas each day, then switching them up regularly, and eventually, everything and everyone gets some love.

She interviews experts in each field, but the one that stuck with me was Arianna Huffington, who famously collapsed from burnout and broke her jaw (ouch). I told myself, "Maybe I care about my face enough to avoid that".

The key here is consistency and intentionality. “Pick Three” isn’t a one-week challenge; it’s a philosophy. A lifestyle, even.

Do I pick three every single day? No (Maybe I’m a little insane, too). But on the days I did, I felt fulfilled. Matter of fact, Unstoppable.

I would rate this a 9/10. I know it's self-help, but Randi is hilarious. Her writing style literally feels like you're sitting down and discussing this all over coffee with her. By the end of the read, I felt like I knew her. She makes herself relatable and shows so much personality, it's easy to forget a book is telling you "what the heck to do".

What about you? Where do your priorities lie? Tell me, I promise I’ll write back ;)