[avaer]

As far as work, I make sure to always finish my day with a thing or two half-started. I find the itch to finish these is far more powerful as a progress driver than a completed checklist that gives me mental permission to relax.

Granted, this is definitely not the ticket to work-life balance if that's what you're looking for.

[taneq]

When I really need to be productive on multiple fronts simultaneously, I use a version of this. At the end of each day I'll write down a 'plan for tomorrow' with the items I plan on working on. This is a deliberately ambitious list, so I don't expect to finish everything. This gives me flexibility in case items are blocked, and makes sure if I have a really good day I still don't run out of tasks. The task list then gets updated as tasks are finished or blocked, and the unfinished tasks form the start of the next list.

[jaggederest]

I can't find a source, but I can paraphrase a quote I like: "Never quit for a day when all the tests are passing, always leave yourself something obvious to start with the next day"

[tonyedgecombe]

Yes, I'll sometimes leave a simple failing test so I know exactly what to do next.