Think of your to-do list as an instruction set your Boss self gives your Assistant self. Like a good computer program, if the instructions are clear, specific, and easily carried out, you're golden.

How do you make a to-do list that works? When it comes to one of productivity's most basic elements, the to-do list, everyone has their own approach.

Here's why a simple text file will make your to-do lists fast, easy to manage, and seamlessly integrate with everything else you use. Why Plain Text?

Make the items on your to-do list specific, realistic and simple — don’t secretly pack 10 tasks inside one huge item, like “finish project.” Break your project into small, discrete pieces.

How you approach or create your to-do list can make a big difference. Experts weigh in on how to write — and tackle — a to-do list to make it best work for you.