Background

Recently, I have become a big fan of the Deep Questions with Cal Newport podcast. I've always experimented with different productivity tools and tips, and his podcast resonates with me because it focuses on self-improvement to boost productivity.

In Ep. 309: Deep Habits, Cal discusses the role of a workingmemory.txt file in the life of knowledge workers.

What is the workingmemory.txt?

The working memory is a plain text file that you can keep on your desktop. It serves as a place to jot down your thoughts, reminders, or TODO items. This way, you can document your current thoughts and easily refer back to them later. Additionally, it helps keep us focused during our busy workdays.

How do I utilize it?

I use the working memory file to jot down my thoughts throughout the day. As a senior engineer, I often get pulled into different tasks on top of my role as an individual contributor. Before switching contexts, I like to note down what I'm working on. This way, when I return, I can quickly get back into the same mindset.

I also write down information about things I want to research. During my workday and while working on side projects, I often get ideas for improvements. Instead of acting on them immediately and disrupting my workflow, I write them in my workingmemory.txt file.

Lastly, I use it to take quick notes from meetings, such as things I need to look into or follow up on. I also note down commitments others have made to me, so I can add tasks to my to-do list and follow up later.

Here is an example of my workingmemory.txt on my personal computer:

Clearing out your file

At the end of the day, I like to clear out my file. This helps me close any open loops and ensures the file doesn't get cluttered with my thoughts for days.

Action Items

Action items go into a corresponding list on my TODO app. (I use Microsoft Todos for work and Things 3 for personal and non-work projects). If needed, I add a due date or schedule it on my calendar.

Open Loops

If I need to follow up with someone, I try to do it while closing out my file. If it takes more than two minutes, I put it on my TODO list and move on.

For open loops where I rely on someone else, I create a list on my TODO app with their name and add an item related to the open loop. This way, I can easily track what I am waiting for from them. It's also helpful to have a list of items to discuss when meeting with someone.

Random Notes

If I have any random notes from the day, I read through them and organize them. If they are not useful, I delete them. If they have value or need more research, I create a file in my notes app.

Conclusion

Using a workingmemory.txt file can be very helpful. It lets you keep track of your day, especially when you switch tasks and jot down thoughts that would otherwise stay in your head. Since we spend a lot of time thinking critically, it's good to help your brain by writing some of that information down.