One thing I’ve noticed across different projects and clients is that Microsoft To Do is available to almost everyone, but very few developers actually use it properly.
For me, it has become a simple part of my daily workflow.
Every morning, I add the tasks I want to finish that day. My goal is simple: finish my planned tasks before the end of the day.
I also use it with my email workflow. If I receive an important email that needs a reply or follow-up, I flag it. That flagged email automatically becomes a task in To Do, so it doesn't get lost in my inbox.
When I'm working in an Agile/Sprint environment, I also schedule my tasks based on what I need to complete each day. I can keep track of blockers, follow-ups, and smaller tasks without keeping everything in my head.
I also organize tasks into folders based on modules, pages, or different areas of the project.
Nothing fancy.
Just a simple tool that helps me answer one question throughout the day:
“What should I work on next?”
What surprised me recently was seeing many developers around me — especially juniors — not using To Do at all.
I honestly think a simple habit like this can make a noticeable difference in productivity.
You don't always need another expensive productivity tool. Sometimes, you just need to properly use the tools you already have.
