I used to have one long .org tasks file. That was great when I was working, because I saw it every day when I logged on my laptop and did org-agenda. But now that I'm retired I don't do that any more. So what I have now is a sheaf of A5 slips (cut from scrap A4) stapled together at one corner. I scribble one-liners to note tasks and score through the lines when completed. When a whole page is complete I rip it off, screw it up, and into the waste basket. Works great!

Plus Apple Reminders for deadlines. The Org file still exists, but for recording history rather than a scheduler.