Expiring To-Do Lists

Steph Smith discusses a productivity concept called "expiring to-dos" to manage tasks more effectively. Here's a breakdown of the idea:

Expiring To-Dos Concept

• Addresses the problem of never-ending to-do lists
• Automatically removes less important tasks after a set period
• Helps focus on true priorities

Key Features

• Uses a Notion template to implement the system
• Default expiration period is 30 days (customizable)
• Can be set to 7 days, 90 days, or any other timeframe

Benefits

• Prevents accumulation of low-priority tasks
• Reduces mental clutter and overwhelm
• Forces prioritization of important items

Psychological Aspects

• Leverages psychology to improve productivity
• Creates urgency for important tasks
• Reduces guilt associated with incomplete low-priority items

Potential for Product Development

• Could be developed into a standalone productivity tool
• Opportunity to incorporate other psychological hacks
• Possible features:
  • Hiding full to-do list until top priority is completed
  • Customizable expiration periods
  • Visual indicators for expiring tasks

Implementation Suggestions

• Start with a simple Notion template
• Experiment with different expiration periods
• Regularly review and adjust the system

Broader Application

• Concept can be applied to various types of tasks:
  • Articles to read later
  • Podcasts to listen to
  • General low-priority action items