Why Loops Matter
We all know the feeling: unfinished tasks, unresolved decisions, or unmet goals quietly lingering in the background, consuming mental energy. These “open loops” create cognitive tension that makes it hard to focus on what matters most.
But here’s the opportunity: when we can master the art of moving through life intentionally opening and closing loops, we reclaim our ability to direct our own lives. Whether it’s opening a loop to ignite momentum or closing one to restore calm, understanding how our minds handle unfinished business can be transformative.
Inspired by Will Schroeder’s excellent video, “The Closure Effect”, this post explores the psychology and neuroscience behind the Zeigarnik Effect and how to apply it in your life. By the end, you’ll have practical strategies to manage mental clutter, reclaim your focus, and channel your energy toward making meaningful progress in the areas of your life you most want to transform.
The Zeigarnik Effect: A Two-Sided Power
The Zeigarnik Effect, named after psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik, describes how our brains fixate on incomplete tasks. It’s why you might replay what you didn’t finish at work instead of celebrating what you accomplished. Our minds naturally flag unfinished business as important, creating a subtle but persistent tension until the task is resolved.
Zeigarnik’s discovery stemmed from an observation of waiters who remembered complex orders until the food was served—at which point, the details vanished from their memory. Her experiments revealed that incomplete tasks stay vivid in our minds because of the mental tension they create. Once the loop is closed, that tension dissipates, freeing up cognitive bandwidth.
You encounter the Zeigarnik Effect everywhere:
- A TV show ends on a cliffhanger, and you can’t stop thinking about what happens next.
- Clickbait headlines tease you with just enough to make you want the full story.
- A breakup with unresolved issues lingers far longer than it should.
The effect isn’t inherently good or bad—it’s simply how our brains are wired. The key lies in using it intentionally to reduce mental strain and boost momentum.
Why Do We Resist Opening Loops?
Even when we know starting a task could spark momentum, many of us hesitate. Here are six common barriers to opening loops—and how to overcome them:
1️⃣ Fear of Failure or Imperfection: Opening a loop can feel like committing to an outcome, which might trigger fears of falling short. Reframe opening a loop as progress, not perfection. Taking the first step—no matter how small—is what matters most.
2️⃣ The Weight of Emotional Baggage: Some loops carry emotional weight from past disappointments. Ease into these tasks with the smallest, gentlest step forward, like writing down one thought or action.
3️⃣ The Desire for Control and Certainty: Opening a loop invites uncertainty. To manage this discomfort, treat the first step as an experiment rather than a commitment. You’re exploring, not solving everything at once.
4️⃣ Overwhelm from Too Many Open Loops: When life feels chaotic, opening another loop can seem impossible. Focus on closing one or two small loops to regain bandwidth before starting something new.
5️⃣ Self-Doubt and Lack of Confidence: Hesitation often stems from doubting your ability to follow through. Build confidence by starting with micro-actions that feel manageable, proving to yourself that you can handle what’s next.
6️⃣ The Paradox of Procrastination: Avoidance provides short-term relief but prolongs the discomfort of unfinished tasks. Visualize the relief you’ll feel after taking that first step—it’s often all it takes to dissolve resistance.
Understanding these barriers helps you approach loops with greater compassion and intention. Each time you overcome one, you’re not just addressing a task—you’re reshaping your relationship with challenges, one loop at a time.
Practical Strategies for Managing Loops
The Hemingway Approach: Choose a Strategic Stopping Point
Ernest Hemingway famously paused his writing sessions mid-sentence, leaving a clear next step for the following day. This leveraged the Zeigarnik Effect: leaving a task intentionally incomplete kept his brain naturally engaged with the work. It reduced the inertia of starting from scratch while preserving momentum.
Try This: End your day by jotting down the next step for a task. Whether it’s outlining the first sentence of a report or noting what comes next in a project, this practice ensures you’ll return with clarity and focus.
Break Big Goals into Smaller Loops
Large, undefined tasks can feel overwhelming. Splitting them into smaller milestones creates manageable loops that are easier to start, track, and complete.
Try This: Reframe overwhelming goals into actionable steps. For example, instead of “write the report,” start with “draft the introduction” or “outline the key points.”
Write It Down: Relieve Cognitive Load
Open loops occupy valuable mental space. Writing tasks down offloads this strain, signaling to your brain that the loop is under control.
Try This: Use a to-do list or task management app to capture your loops. For longer-term goals, create a “someday” list to keep them from distracting you in the moment.
Plan to Close Loops Proactively
Planning how and when to close a loop can reduce its cognitive load, even if you can’t act on it immediately.
Try This: Use time-blocking to set aside time for unfinished tasks. Knowing they have a place in your schedule helps your mind relax.
Limit the Number of Open Loops
Too many open loops can overwhelm your brain, making it harder to focus. By narrowing your priorities, you can reclaim clarity and energy.
Try This: Identify your top 2–3 tasks for the day. Resist opening additional loops until these are complete.
Accept When Closure Isn’t Possible
Not every loop can or should be closed. Sometimes the best option is to let go of a task that no longer aligns with your priorities.
Try This: For unresolved emotional loops, acknowledge the discomfort and remind yourself it’s okay to move on. Consciously choosing to release a loop frees mental energy for what truly matters.
Why Unfinished Resolutions Feel So Painful
Abandoned goals and resolutions are like open loops, creating psychological tension that lingers. But the discomfort goes deeper—it’s often tied to a gap between our actions and the identity we aspire to.
When we abandon a resolution, we’re not just leaving a task unfinished; we’re confronting the story we tell ourselves about who we are. Each time we follow through on a loop, we reinforce our belief in our ability to achieve and grow. Each time we abandon one, the cognitive and emotional toll compounds.
Closing the Loop: Reclaiming Control
Whether it’s taking a small, intentional step forward or letting go of a goal with purpose, closing loops allows us to regain clarity and trust in ourselves.
Conclusion: Transform Loops Into Leverage
The Zeigarnik Effect reveals how deeply our minds crave resolution—and how unfinished loops can either overwhelm us or fuel our momentum. By intentionally managing loops—opening them to spark progress and closing them to calm the chaos—you can reclaim your mental clarity and focus on what truly matters.
Every loop you close builds confidence and creates space for growth. Start today by closing one small loop, no matter how trivial, and notice how much lighter and more focused you feel. Each step you take reinforces your ability to handle life’s demands and opens up the possibility for what’s next.
As with any concept or tool, don’t just take my word for it—experiment with it in your own life. Whether it’s harnessing the Zeigarnik Effect, practicing ‘Touching the Task,’ or starting from a mindset of sufficiency, the key is to apply rather than simply consume. Taking action, however small, signals to your brain that you’re not just thinking about change—you’re making it happen.
It’s in that intentional choice—to act rather than to continue to think about acting—that your life will truly begin to change.
Kari Anne Watterson | Life + Mindset Coach
Instagram: @kari_mindsetcoach
Podcast: The End of the Day: A Mindset Podcast
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or via my website.
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