[kevTheDev]

Just to further clarify what I want, I like to break tasks down so that I'm constantly working on the "Next possible logical step" no matter how small.

Most of the time I just write them in a list in a text editor, but then i get to the point where i need to clear out my scratchpad - thus losing track of my progress.

Obviously seeing my progress in a chart/graph is not necessary to get stuff done but it might help with motivation :)

[lehmannro]

In order to break down tasks into next smallest steps Chandler might come in handy. http://chandlerproject.org/

No matter what your collections will just keep growing (if you do not delete items but rather mark them DONE) so that could be a little demotivating.