Yes, You Need One

Why keep a to-do list, anyway? The real reason lists are so important is that they transfer thoughts and tasks that would otherwise take up precious brain space and park them in a safe place. Think of your brain as a purse or briefcase. It has a finite amount of space. If your purse is packed to the brim, it's difficult to access the important stuff, like your phone, a pen or your wallet, when you really need them. Your brain works the same way. The simple act of transferring a task from your brain to a list frees your brain to focus on getting things done, not remembering what needs to get done.

From the book Pretty Neat: The Buttoned-Up Way to Get Organized and Let Go of Perfection by Alicia Rockmore and Sarah Welch (Seal Press). Copyright © 2011.