In an era of feature-rich productivity apps, collaboration dashboards, and AI-powered knowledge systems, a surprising number of high performers rely on something far simpler.Plain text files.No formatting toolbar. No embedded media. No complex database structure. Just words on a blank screen.For professionals managing complex decisions, research, and long-term projects, plain text offers advantages that many modern tools cannot. Let’s explore it in detail!5 reasons high performers rely on plain text filesFocus without interface frictionPlain text removes everything except thinking. There are no font choices, alignment options, or layout distractions. There are no notifications inside the writing environment. This reduces cognitive switching.Productivity research consistently shows that attention fragmentation reduces output quality. Feature-heavy note-taking applications often introduce friction through design layers, plugin menus, and visual clutter. Plain text eliminates that layer. The result is faster idea capture and clearer thought flow.When the tool disappears, thinking improves.Portability across time and devicesOne of the biggest risks in digital productivity is vendor lock-in. Proprietary applications store notes in specific formats that may not be accessible decades later. Companies shut down. Pricing models change. Export formats break.Plain text files, typically saved as .txt or .md files, are universally readable. They open on any device, across operating…  ​Read More​YourStory RSS Feed