[wenc]

Just a simple Markdown file in VS Code.

I use little symbols like this: [x] = done, [-] = canceled. [>] = moved. [~] = in progress. I also write notes on the items so I can recall my thought processes quickly. To me, it's important to keep a to-do list free-form and unconstrained -- a constrained to-do list is not as useful. (hence I find most dedicated to-do list apps -- while tidy -- to not be that useful in real life)

My .md file looks like this:

    3/3/2022
    [x] Setup meeting with director Y

    4/3/2022
    [-] Check ETL - bleah not needed anymore
    [x] Call Person X
    [ ] Debug ffff.py
        * I tried x but it didn't work. Maybe try y?
        * Also look at z further up the pipeline.
    [~] Schedule meeting with ZZ
        * remember to discuss topic YY - don't move forward without agreement. Don't get sidetracked.


   Parked
   [ ] Schedule visit to location BB to learn how it works
   [ ] Check out new database system DD -- see if it's faster than what we have.

I scan this every day to quickly remember where I'm at. Before I did this, I found I wasted hours in the morning just trying to recall what I had to do in a day, which meant I only worked 4 hours of every 8 hour day. With this, I can squeeze in 6-8 hours of productive work.

The only downside of this system is that there are no automatic reminders, but I need time-based reminders for certain things, I just add an item to my calendar app. That's what calendaring apps are for, and todo apps merely duplicate their functionality.

Context switching is expensive, and anything you can do to recover context quickly will pay dividends.