TODO apps are meant for robots
I recently had a stressfully large quantity of small tasks to do on a deadline.  First, making a list eased the stress -- I had a place to collect tasks as I thought of them, rather than trying to keep them all straight in my head.  Second, having a list provides a reward structure: if you get a thing done, you get to <i>tick a box</i>.  And then the list is shorter.  Some tasks ended up being more complicated -- break it down!  I'd make a new subtask, and <i>tick the box</i>.<p>Todo lists are also highly recommended for people with ADHD for unstimulating, repetitive tasks.  Chore sheets, for example, are how my house stays marginally clean.  Chores are broken into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.  Again, the best reward is <i>tick the box</i>.  The irony here is that I've lived my whole life with ADHD, and it wasn't until my kid struggled with his own ADHD that I learned this <i>incredible</i> hack from his counselor.<p>Lists are stressors.  Unwritten lists are <i>way bigger</i> stressors.  When you <i>tick the box</i> the relief is palpable. That said, I don't use apps for this purpose.  Pen and paper, a whiteboard, or a laminated printout is best.  Because the <i>last</i> thing I need when I'm aiming to finish unstimulating tasks is to interact with a smartphone.