Why I Ditched My Complicated To-Do List for a Single Text File

by admin in Productivity & Tools 16 - Last Update November 16, 2025

Rate: 4/5 points in 16 reviews

Why I Ditched My Complicated To-Do List for a Single Text File

For years, I was a productivity app junkie. If it had Kanban boards, Gantt charts, sub-tasks, and integrations, I was on it. I spent hours organizing my organizers, color-coding my life, and feeling incredibly busy. The problem? I wasn't actually getting more done. I was just getting better at managing a system that was, frankly, exhausting.

I remember one particular Tuesday when I spent the first 45 minutes of my workday just migrating tasks, re-tagging priorities, and fiddling with due dates. It was a moment of painful clarity. The very tools I'd adopted to bring order were just adding a layer of complex digital clutter to my life. I was procrastinating by way of productivity.

The feature-rich trap

Modern to-do list apps are incredible feats of engineering. They promise to handle every aspect of your life. But with that power comes a cognitive load I never truly acknowledged. Every new feature is another decision to make, another setting to tweak. It creates a paradox of choice that can lead to paralysis.

Honestly, I felt a sense of failure. Why couldn't I make these powerful systems work for me like all the productivity gurus online? It took me a long time to realize the tool wasn't the problem, but my relationship with it was. I was using complexity as a shield against the hard work of simply starting.

The day i simplified everything

In a moment of frustration, I closed all my apps. I opened a basic text editor and created a file named `tasks.txt`. It was stark, blank, and beautiful. I wrote down the three most important things I needed to accomplish that day. Just three. No tags, no due dates, no projects. Just a simple, numbered list.

The feeling was immediate. It was a wave of relief. The friction was gone. There was nothing to manage, only things to do. I finished the first task and simply deleted the line. The satisfaction was more profound than checking any beautifully animated box in an app. This wasn't about tracking progress for a yearly review; it was about creating momentum, right now.

My ridiculously simple text file system

After a few weeks of experimenting, I've settled into a rhythm that works wonders for my focus. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but its core principles have been a game-changer for me. Here's what I do:

One file, that's it: I have one `tasks.txt` file that syncs across my devices. It's my single source of truth.
The 'Today' header: At the top, I have a `## TODAY` section. I only allow 3-5 items here. These are my non-negotiables for the day.
The 'Later' brain dump: Below 'Today', I have a `## LATER` section. This is where every other idea, task, or reminder gets dumped. It's messy, and that's the point. It gets it out of my head.
Daily migration: Each morning, I review the 'Later' list and promote a few key items to the 'Today' section. This simple, 2-minute ritual sets my intention for the day.

By ditching the feature-heavy apps, I've removed the possibility of procedural procrastination. I can't waste time organizing because there's nothing to organize. It's just me and the work. And honestly, my output has never been higher, and my stress has never been lower.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Doesn't a simple text file lack important features like reminders?

It absolutely does, and in my experience, that's a key benefit. It forces me to be more intentional. For critical, time-sensitive appointments, I use a dedicated calendar. My text file is purely for managing tasks and focus, not for alarms.

How do you handle completed tasks in a text file?

This is the most satisfying part for me. I simply delete the line item completely. There's no archive or completed list. This keeps the document clean and forward-looking, which I find incredibly motivating. It's about what's next, not what's done.

Is this method suitable for large, collaborative projects?

Honestly, I don't think so. In my professional life, I see this as a system for solo focus and personal task management. For team-based projects that require shared status updates and assignments, I still rely on dedicated collaborative software. This is my tool for cutting through my own personal noise.

What specific software do you use to edit the text file?

That's the beauty of it – I use whatever is most basic on my current device. On my desktop, it's the standard pre-installed text editor. On my phone, it's a simple notes app that syncs. The goal for me was to avoid any software with distracting features, so the more 'boring' the tool, the better.

How do you keep your text file from becoming a disorganized mess?

I follow a very simple structure. I use headings like 'TODAY' for my top 3-5 priorities and 'LATER' for a general brain dump. Each morning, I take two minutes to review the 'LATER' list and promote tasks to 'TODAY'. This simple daily reset prevents it from ever getting out of hand.