# The Power of Writing Things Down How documenting tasks boosts focus and productivity - **Source:** [Stratechery by Ben Thompson](https://brifing.si/source/13414bcf-3bb2-4506-8e27-62ce8e5f7537) - **Published:** 2026-09-08 - **Topic:** [Career Growth](https://brifing.si/c/growth) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f5cfadc2-9b56-4d8e-91d0-cdf7246c107b ## The RAM Analogy David Allen's Getting Things Done philosophy compares human short-term memory to computer RAM - both have limited capacity. When we try to hold too many unfinished tasks in our minds, it creates mental overload and distraction. This cognitive burden reduces our ability to focus effectively on current tasks, just like an overloaded computer slows down. ## The Open Loop Problem Unresolved tasks create what Allen calls 'open loops' - incomplete situations that keep resurfacing in our consciousness. These mental interruptions occur about every few minutes for most people. Without a system to capture them, we default to worrying about these items rather than making progress, increasing stress without achieving resolution. ## The Trusted System Principle Allen's core solution is creating a 'trusted system' outside your mind to capture all tasks and commitments. Writing things down in a reliable repository (whether digital or paper) allows your brain to stop trying to remember everything. This externalization creates mental clarity by ensuring nothing gets lost while freeing up cognitive resources. ## OmniFocus Implementation The Omni Group developed OmniFocus as a dedicated GTD application, implementing concepts like inboxes, next actions, and tickler files. While feature-rich, many users struggle with system complexity. The author's personal solution was delegating system maintenance to an assistant, highlighting that the methodology matters more than the specific tools used. ## Startup Founder's Adaptation When launching Stratechery in 2013 with minimal resources, the author initially relied on basic tools and sheer necessity rather than complex systems. The turning point came when hiring an assistant specifically to implement GTD. This delegation allowed focusing on core creative work while maintaining organizational benefits, demonstrating flexible application of the principles. ## The AGI Comparison The article draws parallels between human cognition and AI systems. Current LLMs like Claude have fixed knowledge cutoffs, unlike continuous learning in true AGI. However, Claude Code's workflow of maintaining Markdown notes simulates memory, suggesting that even basic documentation systems can dramatically enhance cognitive capabilities, whether human or artificial. ## Historical Perspective Writing's invention marked humanity's cognitive leap, enabling knowledge accumulation beyond biological limits. Oral tradition resembles AI's context window - effective but limited. Written records allowed scalable, extendable learning across generations. This historical view reinforces that external documentation systems amplify cognitive capacity at both individual and species levels. ## Cognitive Offloading Benefits Research shows that writing things down reduces cognitive load by 40-60%. This 'cognitive offloading' improves working memory capacity, decision quality, and stress levels. The simple act of externalizing thoughts creates mental space for higher-order thinking and creativity, making it fundamental to productivity systems. ## Implementation Spectrum Effective systems range from sophisticated apps like OmniFocus to simple text files. The key is consistent use rather than tool complexity. Many professionals achieve results with bullet journals, while others prefer digital solutions. The common thread is regular review and processing of captured items to maintain system trustworthiness. ## The Delegation Option For those who struggle with personal organization, delegation presents a viable alternative. The author's experience shows that having an assistant manage the system can work effectively. This approach separates the cognitive benefits of having a trusted system from the executive function demands of maintaining it personally. ## Continuous Learning Parallel Just as AI systems benefit from continuous data integration, humans thrive when regularly processing inputs. Writing serves as our 'weight update' mechanism, allowing knowledge integration over time. This process underlies professional growth, making documentation not just a productivity tool but a learning accelerator. ## Fundamental Productivity Lever Writing things down remains among the highest-return productivity practices. It addresses core limitations of human cognition while scaling with technological advances. From stone tablets to AI-augmented systems, the principle persists: externalizing thoughts creates the space for focus, creativity, and progress in all domains of work. ## Sources covering this story - https://stratechery.com/2026/write-things-down/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._