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Efficient TODO lists


I had a todo list on paper. However, I start doing tasks when I leave the house. Tasks are also added at any time of the day - so I need to carry this list with me, so that I can complete it on time and refer to it regularly.

Something practical, that suits me, and therefore simple. A markdown file is perfect. Let’s dig into the file.

A day is represented by its date in the year and its name: MM-DD Name. The list of tasks follow this day. It is at the top of the file. So I get the list as soon as I open the file.

### 01-24 Friday
- [ ] ==hang bedroom wall lamps==
- [ ] ==run==
- [x] empty the garbage cans
- [ ] read lean Startup Chapter 12
- [x] write blog post: new digital TODO list
- [x] store herbal teas and infusions

The tasks solved are marked: - [x]
Deferred tasks are highlighted: - [ ] ==reported task==
Cancelled tasks are stroked: - [ ] ~~cancelled task~~

The unplanned tasks are placed at the top of the file. I can skim through them quickly, especially to plan tomorrow.

# TODO

* Remake lokolux logo
* read lean Startup chapter 13

...

In the evening, I can create a new title for tomorrow and put my tasks in it. They’re ready to be completed.

It ends up to be a file such as

# TODO

Remake lyokolux logo

### 01-24 Friday
- [ ] ==hang bedroom wall lamps==
- [ ] ==run==
- [x] empty the garbage cans
- [ ] read lean Startup Chapter 12
- [x] write blog post: new digital TODO list
- [x] store herbal teas and infusions

## 01-23 Thursday
- [ ] ==Todos organization blog post==

... more days

## 01-19 Sunday
- [x] work 2-3 hours for the job
- [ ] ==sort digital documents between resources and archives== 
- [x] repair the bike
- [x] Say hello to the horses
- [x] See how a French diploma can be recognized in Germany
- [ ] ==read lean startup chapter 11==

## 01-18 Saturday
- [x] empty the trash cans
- [x] read lean startup chapter 10
- [ ] ==read lean startup chapter 11==
- [ ] ==sort digital documents between resources and archives== 
- [x] checking on grandma and grandpa

... more days

At the end of 2024, I moved the TODO.md file into ~/archives/TODO/2024. This way, the current TODO file doesn’t become too large, and the tasks are still sorted by year.
I like the One Big Text File and TODOs are lightweight. I don’t want to mess one file too much: one file per year is definitely enough. It fits well with the PARA (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives) method: old TODO files are stored in the archives directory.

Someday I will have to link a task to an entry in the calendar, or a link. It fits on one line at the moment, but a sub-list can solve it:

- [ ] my task with many information
  - link to calender
  - web link to the event

If I need more, https://plaintext-productivity.net/ could be a relevant resource to reach.

I started it a few weeks ago. Let’s see how long this will be efficient.