Most "to-do" lists are just lists of chores. "Buy milk" sits right next to "Write a novel," giving them equal weight and equal likelihood of being ignored. True productivity isn't about doing more things; it's about finishing projects that actually matter.

The Philosophy: Beyond the Task List

A project is more than a single action; it’s a series of steps directed toward a specific outcome. This template forces you to define The Goal Of The Projects before you even start. If you can't state the "Why," you shouldn't be spending the "How." By categorizing work into Business, Family, or Health, you ensure your energy is balanced across all areas of your life.

The Blueprint: Strategic Execution

The structure is designed to move you from inspiration to completion.

  • The Triage System: The Priority and Status fields allow you to manage your focus. Moving a project to "Someday/Maybe" is a powerful psychological tool—it clears your mental deck for "Active" projects without losing the idea.
  • The Incremental Path: The Step 1 and Step 2 fields encourage decomposition. You don't "Launch a business"; you "Step 1: Register Domain" and "Step 2: Draft Business Plan." This reduces the friction of starting.
  • The Resource Tracker: Projects often require people and money. The Contact and Cost (in USD) fields keep the logistical requirements visible so you don't stall due to a missing phone number or an overextended budget.

Usage Scenarios: The Home Renovation

You're planning to paint the living room. Instead of just adding "Paint" to a list, you create a new entry in the Home category. Step 1: "Pick color samples." Step 2: "Buy drop cloths and brushes." You take a Picture of the current room for reference. As you finish buying materials, you update the Progress rating. You can see the Deadline Date approaching, which keeps the momentum high.

Power Feature: Visual Progress Rating

The Progress rating field (1-5) provides a quick visual barometer of your project's health. It’s a satisfying way to see a project "fill up" as you move toward completion. In Memento, you can group your projects by this rating, instantly seeing which ones are stalled at 1 and which ones are almost Finished at 5.