Company
Date Published
Author
Janet Choi
Word count
1266
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

While to-do lists can be useful for task organization, they often lead to frustration and overwhelm due to their limitations. Research shows that having too many tasks on a list can cause anxiety and decreased productivity, as our brains tend to focus on uncompleted tasks rather than making plans. Additionally, our brain's tendency to remember uncompleted tasks, known as the Zeigarnik effect, can also hinder progress. Furthermore, unexpected interruptions and changes in our daily lives make it difficult for to-do lists to handle. However, turning to a "done list" - a record of accomplishments - can provide boosts of motivation and insight, helping to balance out the shortcomings of traditional to-do lists. By keeping a done list, individuals can gain perspective, build self-knowledge, and improve their planning abilities.