My digital TODO-lists often become out-of-date since I don't always have just phone/laptop available to jot down notes.
My paper notes have worked for short-term tasks but seem to be lacking when it comes to long-term tasks/events.
But perhaps I'm using these things incorrectly. What do HN users use?
My frustration with most task manager is that they require me to manually maintain a parallel universe to the other tools I use to execute a project such emails, files, links, notes etc. This manual maintenance require a lot of discipline and typing. When I am busy I am less likely to update the task list and then few days after that my tasks are out-of-date and it takes even more energy to fix, which I am less likely todo.
As a result I decided to develop my own task manager for Gmail (https://www.centask.com/) a tool that integrates everything I need to complete a project, (emails, files, links, notes etc.) organize it in any way I want it, and schedule single and nested items to appear when I need them. Since it is Gmail centric I can email myself links and notes from any app.
The key for me was that I process my email inbox within Centask so I must use it, so it may get long when I am busy but never gets out-of-date.
When I have paper notes, I either type them into Centask as separate items or email myself an image of it and add the image as sub-task of the main task.
Hope that helps
My system is loosely based on Getting Things Done (GTD). At different times over the last 15 years I’ve implemented it using pen and paper; dedicated apps; simple to do list apps; a word processor; etc.
Find a couple systems and try them out. Then adopt the principles of each that you find most useful.