Writing a to-do list may not seem like much of a brain booster, but it is. Figuring out your priorities and filtering out the non essentials are higher level cognitive tasks, and practicing these skills keeps your brain in top-notch shape. Also, translating a big picture problem or goal (“Get ready to file taxes”) into its smaller tasks (“Find my W-2” and “Get recommendations for which tax software to use”) is an- other executive function. Making a to-do list creates mental space for doing other tasks, not just remembering the various things you have to do. Plus, using a to-do list can make you feel good: one study showed that you get a little dopamine rush every time you cross a task off your to-do list (dopamine makes you feel good, elevating your mood). You should list even small tasks just for the reward of marking through them. One researcher explained that the frequency of progress is more important to your brain than how big the progress is. Practically speaking, this means crossing off “Empty the dishwasher,” “Wipe the counters,” and “Sweep the floor” is way more satisfying than crossing off “Clean the kitchen.” (By the way, writing down something you’ve already done and then crossing it off creates the same happy feeling.)