My productivity app for the past 12 years has been a single .txt file
Jeff Huang's website, January 31, 2020
Abstract
Jeff Huang describes a productivity system he had used for twelve years: an online calendar for future commitments and one plain-text file for daily plans and records. Each evening he copies the next day’s calendar items into the file. During the day he adds meeting notes, research ideas, outcomes and new tasks under that list, preserving a chronological account of his work. Consistent wording and tags make past entries searchable. Worked examples show a planned day becoming a detailed record, with names replaced. A three-color email flagging system distinguishes current tasks, deferred matters and replies he is waiting for. Huang also explains how he reduces commitments when the workload becomes unmanageable. – AI-generated abstract.
