How to get more done: Master the Zeigarnik Effect for Productivity
Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, you can never seem to finish everything on your to-do list? And it stresses you out every single day?
Like you’re just not productive enough?
Well, there’s actually a psychological phenomenon that explains why this happens. It’s called the Zeigarnik effect.
Basically, our brains have a tendency to fixate on unfinished tasks rather than completed ones.
It’s like when a motivational speaker starts teasing you with a secret that they promise to reveal later in their talk — this is how they open a loop.
You become intrigued and pay attention because your brain wants closure.
This fixation on unfinished tasks can really mess with us.
When we have too many things left undone, we get overwhelmed, our brain slows down, and we end up stressing over it all.
It’s not a great situation to be in unless we learn how to use the Zeigarnik effect to our advantage.
So, how can we use this phenomenon into our advantage?
1. Make a to-do list
Write down all the tasks you need to complete and start somewhere.
Instead of trying to do twelve things at once, focus on doing one thing at a time.
This way, you’ll feel a sense of progress, and your brain will release dopamine — the “feel good” hormone , which will motivate you to do more.
2. Try the Pomodoro method
Sometimes our brains can’t stay focused for long periods, so this method helps overcome that.
Identify the most important tasks for the day and start with them using the Pomodoro technique.
For example, if you have a two-hour assignment to complete, don’t think about the entire two hours because that might lead to procrastination.
Instead, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks of, say, 25 minutes each, followed by a short break.
This approach transforms a big task into smaller, more achievable chunks.
3. Close off at the end of the day
At the end of the day, take a moment to celebrate your accomplishments.
Look at your to-do list and acknowledge what you’ve managed to finish.
As for the tasks that are left unfinished, reschedule them for the next day and set a specific time frame for them.
This way, your brain knows that they will be taken care of tomorrow, rather than constantly wondering when they will be done.
Closing off those open loops saves a lot of mental energy and reduces anxiety.
Final thoughts
To sum it up, now that you understand the Zeigarnik effect, you can use it to boost your productivity.
Create effective and realistic to-do lists, break tasks into manageable chunks, and celebrate closure at the end of each day.
By doing so, you’ll accomplish more and won’t feel anxious about the things you didn’t manage to do.
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