Around 2 years ago, I started using my email inbox as email and my to-do list.
How does that work for me?
Here is my regular ritual with email inbox:
Normally I open my emails and calendar every day 3 times, morning, noon, and afternoon. Sometimes even in the middle of the night.
Also, I have a habit of cleaning my email inbox every week(almost daily), regardless of the content. Normally I read the email, either reply or take action. Then I make emails archived, deleted, or snoozed for the future.
I unsubscribe from the email newsletters when I see them left those unopen for 1 week
And it goes on
So, all of the things I mentioned up top, I am doing those anyway, For my personal or professional sides.
Now I added two new things,
Anytime I have something in my mind I send myself an email.
If that's a personal topic, I send an email to my email or if it's professional I send that email to my office email.
Why it's working for me?
Any to-do list app means it's a new app, a new learning process, managing a new app and so many other chores. I think, I just removed the resistance for using a new todo list using the same tool I like using everyday
Also, my brain is kind of a monkey brain. I constantly think! It’s one of the habits I love and the same time I hate.
And I found if I dump my thoughts in an email to myself then it stops. I think I just needed them to be thrown out of my brain and know those are secured in a safe place.