Regarding the todo list, I find that having a text-format todo list for the current day can provide structure and sense of accomplishment (especially at the end of the day). After completing a task I would put a checkmark emoji in front of it. Such a list can also bring me back on track after a lunch or a mentally-demanding task.
If I know that I won't be able to do a certain task today, I put it in advance for the next day's todo list. Not completed tasks will roll to the next day.
Plan for May 11:
- Contact Person 1 regarding Thing 1
- [checkmark] Review Pull Request 1 made by Person 2
- Implement Thing 1 from Feature 1
- Read Email 1 from Person 3
- Implement Thing 2 from Feature 1
- Investigate Thing 3