A clear definition of Signal vs Noise for work, with real examples and how to apply it daily.
In productivity, Signal is high‑impact work that moves an outcome forward; Noise is effort that rarely compounds (maintenance, shallow tasks, vanity work). The goal isn’t to eliminate Noise, but to constrain it so Signal has room to happen.
Signal examples: shipping a feature customers asked for, publishing docs people use, closing a deal.
Noise examples: inbox whack‑a‑mole, unscoped meetings, tweaking dashboards no one reads.
SigNull operationalizes this with three habits: classify tasks as Signal/Noise, cap Noise with a daily budget, and start your day with a Top‑3 list of Signal tasks.
A practical system to cap shallow work at ~45 minutes/day so you ship more Signal.
A Noise Budget is a daily cap on shallow work (we default to 45 minutes). Once you hit it, defer or justify the task. This constraint reclaims time for deep, meaningful work.
Pick a daily cap that’s honest for your role (30–60 minutes works for most).
Batch low‑impact tasks; avoid context switching.
When the budget is gone, choose: Defer it or write a one‑line justification.
With SigNull, you track usage automatically and see the effect in your daily SNR.
Start each day by committing to three Signal tasks. Finish those first.
The Daily Top‑3 is a constraint that keeps your day oriented toward outcomes. Pick three Signal tasks, do them first, and treat everything else as optional or Noise.
Make Top‑3 selection part of your morning routine.
Break tasks down until they can be completed in a sitting.
Review in the evening and carry one unfinished task forward (max).
SigNull surfaces your Top‑3 and tracks your ratio of Signal to total time so you can see progress.
What Signal vs Noise means in day‑to‑day work, with examples and how SigNull helps you bias toward Signal.
Signal is high‑impact work that moves the needle; Noise is maintenance or low‑leverage activity. The goal isn’t zero Noise — it’s to cap it and protect your time for Signal.
SigNull is a Signal vs Noise to‑do app that helps you prioritize high‑impact work and cut busywork.
SigNull separates high‑impact work (Signal) from maintenance and busywork (Noise). With a simple Daily Top‑3, a personal Noise Budget, and SNR analytics, you can protect your focus and ship what matters.
Get started free with all features and sensible limits. Upgrade once for lifetime Pro — unlimited tasks and goals.
How a daily Noise Budget helps you avoid drowning in shallow work and preserve time for Signal.
A Noise Budget is a daily limit (e.g., 45 minutes) for low‑impact tasks. Once you hit the budget, SigNull nudges you to either justify the Noise or defer it. The result: more time on deep, impactful work.
Set a realistic daily cap (we default to 45 minutes).
Pick three Signal tasks per day. It’s a small rule with outsized impact on consistency and outcomes.
Each morning, select the three Signal tasks that matter most. Work on them first. The Top‑3 rule creates a clear boundary that prevents your day from being consumed by Noise.
In SigNull, your Top‑3 is one click away — and your SNR score shows how often you stick to it.
A simple, one‑time purchase for unlimited tasks and goals — no subscriptions.
We chose a lifetime model to stay aligned with makers: predictable, honest pricing and no subscription fog. Free includes all features with limits; Pro removes limits for a one‑time $5 purchase.
Link your desktop and mobile in seconds; your tasks stay in sync across devices.
Use a secure email link to connect another device in seconds. SigNull keeps your session synced so you can triage in the morning on desktop and review on the go from your phone.
