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The thing is, what if you're learning something particularly complex? How do you go about documenting what you need to do, because a simple list like that wouldn't seem to suffice?

Maybe my issue is how I go about documentation, as opposed to lists.

It might also just be that I don't know how to make a list not end up being an obligation. Aren't they obligations by definition, a thing you need to do?

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Create a new checklist every day. I just use a pad of paper on my desk and list the ~3-5 things I want to get done on that given day. If I have next steps for upcoming days, I'll make note of that so I have it recorded.

But every day I'll decide what I'm going to tackle, that way there is no obligation from the past lists. I will refer back to them to see what I wanted my current self to do. I might not agree with my past self on what is important.

For me, the act of writing something down helps with memory and comprehension. Reviewing something I wrote down a week ago does not. If I forget it, I look it up and write it down again. Eventually it sticks.

Or it doesn't.

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