Every decision you leave open costs attention the next morning, when attention is worth most. Made the night before, it costs nothing.
It also lets your brain stop holding the list. Unfinished things stay active in your head until they have a time and a place. Give them one. Evidence: decent
Paper or notes app, doesn't matter. The order matters more than the list.
Same theme: Getting started
Getting started
Get it out of your head
Everything you're trying to remember goes on one list, today.
10 minEvidence: decent
Getting started
Set up the room for the task
Match the place to the work. Same spot for deep work, a different one for calls and mail.
5 minEvidence: decent
Getting started
Stuck? Do something dull
When a problem won't move, leave it and do a boring physical job for twenty minutes. Dishes, a walk, the garage.
20 minEvidence: decent