To remember small tasks, use a place you can reach when the thought occurs. A paper notebook or a phone list can work. The point is to create one place to look later, especially when a task arrives while you are doing something else.
Remember small tasks by writing an action you can take
Write a verb and enough detail to start. Instead of writing Car, write Call the shop to confirm Friday’s service appointment. If you are waiting on someone, record who owes the reply and when you will check back.
Put deadlines and appointments where you can see them
Add dated commitments to your calendar. If you need to act ahead of the date, schedule a reminder for when you can do something. For example, put the renewal date on the calendar and a reminder a week before it to find the paperwork.
Review the list at the same point each day
Try checking it just after lunch or before you close out work. Move completed tasks off the list and choose one next action for anything that has stalled. For projects that take several steps, see how to break down a large task.
Use the same list when plans change
Suppose you remember a school form while you are on the way to an appointment. Add Sign the school form tonight to your list when you can do so safely, then set an evening reminder if there is a deadline. Use the same list for household and personal tasks, with a short label to distinguish them. For recurring payments, a separate bill calendar can hold the dates and amounts without cluttering your everyday capture list.