The first reason given for why to-do lists don't work is "the Paradox of Choice". Alas, the studies claiming to measure a Paradox of Choice didn't replicate and

The first reason given for why to-do lists don't work is "the Paradox of Choice". Alas, the studies claiming to measure a Paradox of Choice didn't replicate and related followup studies have found roughly no effect of additional options on the ability to choose. In a great many contexts, people really like having lots of options - it makes it easier to find the exact thing they want. Maybe to-do lists is one of those. http://www.theatlantic.com/business/print/2013/08/more-is-more-why-the-paradox-of-choice-might-be-a-myth/278658/ http://www.theatlantic.com/business/print/2013/08/more-is-mo...