artificial insemination syringe
I have an extensive to-do list. Perhaps you do as well. (Let’s face it—you certainly do, especially if you’re managing family life in 2021.) Some tasks on my list are ongoing, things that I need to accomplish eventually. They roll over from one list to the next. Occasionally, I’ll glance at them during a free moment, think about how I should tackle them to get them off my plate—and then I don’t.
These tasks linger on my list until they transform from long-term goals to urgent must-dos. Eventually, they become a mad dash to avoid late fees, overdue notices, or tasks that should have been completed earlier. It’s procrastination at its finest, and many of us are familiar with it.
But what if there was an easy method to overcome procrastination—something that could “trick” your mind into taking action instead of stalling? Enter the Zeigarnik Effect.
Understanding the Zeigarnik Effect
The Zeigarnik Effect is a psychological phenomenon that explains how we tend to remember interrupted or unfinished tasks more readily than those that are completed, according to GoodTherapy. The concept suggests that you’re more inclined to work on a task that has been interrupted rather than one that hasn’t even been initiated, as the unfinished task will linger in your thoughts.
To harness the Zeigarnik Effect, simply begin the task you’ve been avoiding in a small way. If you have an essay to write, start with the first sentence—even if you end up deleting it later. If cleaning out the refrigerator is on your list, toss out one container of leftovers you know will never be eaten. For a report, just open a new browser tab. Anything counts, as long as it marks the beginning of the task.
The Zeigarnik Effect posits that this initial step will trigger “mental pings” from your brain, urging you to complete the task due to the underlying “cognitive tension” it creates. This tension keeps the task at the forefront of your mind. Once the tension is resolved by completing the task, the intrusive thoughts cease.
According to psychiatrist Samantha Boardman, M.D., author of Everyday Vitality, this effect highlights how our focus often gravitates toward incomplete tasks, including those that are negative or daunting.
The Zeigarnik Effect In Action
You can observe the Zeigarnik Effect in various aspects of life. For instance, cliffhangers in TV shows, teasers in headlines, and ongoing quests in video games all exemplify this phenomenon.
Originally identified by Russian psychiatrist Bluma Wulfovna Zeigarnik, she noted that waiters at a bustling café could easily recall complex orders while serving customers, yet forgot the specifics once the bills were settled. In her experiments with children, Zeigarnik found that out of 138 participants, 110 remembered interrupted tasks better than completed ones. Similar results were observed in adults, with 90 percent recalling interrupted tasks more effectively.
Motivation Plays A Role Too
For those of us who tend to procrastinate until the pressure builds (myself included), the Zeigarnik Effect offers a way to hack our brains and combat procrastination. However, it’s not a foolproof solution.
While Zeigarnik’s original findings have been successfully replicated, other studies have shown mixed results regarding its effectiveness. Various factors, including motivation, can influence how well the Zeigarnik Effect functions for procrastination. One study revealed that individuals who were interrupted during a task were more motivated to continue if they believed they were close to finishing.
Moreover, those “mental pings” might not always be constructive. For some individuals, unfinished tasks can increase anxiety. Indeed, while an unfinished task lingers in your mind, every mental ping could contribute to rising stress levels. None of us need additional stress.
Additionally, it’s important to recognize that there is a limit to how many unfinished tasks one can manage simultaneously before feeling overwhelmed—but maybe that’s just my experience. I attempted to utilize this approach and found myself with numerous false starts, a dozen open tabs, and quite a bit of anxiety.
As with many life hacks, their effectiveness can vary from person to person. If initiating a task helps ensure its completion for you, then the Zeigarnik Effect is definitely worth trying.
Further Reading
For more insights on efficient home insemination techniques, check out this excellent resource. You can also learn more about infection prevention in our related blog post. If you’re considering at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom provides in-depth guidance on that topic as well.
Summary
The Zeigarnik Effect is a psychological tool that can help combat procrastination by encouraging you to start tasks, even in small ways. This leads to cognitive tension that keeps unfinished tasks on your mind, motivating you to complete them. While not universally effective, it may be worth a try if you struggle with procrastination.
SEO Metadata
Keyphrase: Zeigarnik Effect and Procrastination
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]