Do you have personal projects lingering on your to-do list, promises you keep making to yourself to finish “someday”? Perhaps a novel, an app, or a new skill? Or maybe something smaller, like organizing photos or starting a blog? Research shows that incomplete tasks stick in our memory, creating anxiety and potentially disrupting sleep.
The Weight of “Someday”
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Why do unfinished tasks feel so heavy, and what can we do to finally tackle them?
Lingering tasks make us feel bad, a phenomenon explained by the Zeigarnik effect, first documented by psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik a century ago. This effect demonstrates that incomplete tasks are more readily recalled than completed ones, creating a cognitive burden and potentially triggering anxiety. Studies indicate that these incomplete tasks can lead to rumination and even disrupt sleep patterns. We also experience a natural drive to finish what we start, as abandoning tasks can feel like admitting defeat – a concept known as the Ovsiankina effect, named for psychologist maria Ovsiankina.
Studies reveal that people tend to dwell more on regrets from things they didn’t do than on regrets from actions they actually took. As of this resistance to giving up, we carry unfinished tasks like weights on our shoulders. But why don’t we actually complete them? While procrastination certainly plays a role, the reasons are frequently enough more complex, stemming from both psychological and practical obstacles.
The Intimidation Factor
Starting a new project often feels exhilarating, and the initial dopamine rush can lead us to overestimate the benefits and underestimate the challenges. However, once that initial excitement fades, we’re confronted with the sheer magnitude of the work. Writing a book, or even a substantial article, is a long-term commitment requiring perseverance, sacrifice, and the ability to endure repeated revisions. Its no wonder so many manuscripts end up abandoned in a folder.
The solution? Make the task less intimidating. Rather of focusing on “finish the book,” identify the next manageable step. Is it drafting a specific chapter or scene? Make it concrete and brief. Thinking about completing an entire book feels overwhelming, but thinking about writing a dialog between two characters in a restaurant feels achievable. This approach also helps you track progress more effectively.
This is a well-established principle of self-organization.Many productivity methods subtly modify traditional to-do lists for this very reason. Rather of listing broad tasks, they focus on identifying the next action. Rather than “Proofread the manuscript,” a next action would be “Check chapter three for typos and grammar.”
Facing the Fear
Another common reason for accumulating unfinished tasks is fear of failure. As long as you’re “writing a book,” success remains a possibility. You can savor the potential of a bestseller and draw comfort from anticipated triumph. But once the work is finished, it faces judgment. What if nobody likes it? What if all your effort was wasted? This prospect can be paralyzing, leading you to preserve the possibility of success rather than risk disappointment.
To counter this fear, remember that personal projects are exactly that: personal. You pursue them for yourself. While others’ appreciation is welcome, it shouldn’t be your primary motivation. Personal projects aren’t professional obligations.Remind yourself: “I do this for myself.” Imagine the satisfaction of completion – that’s your true goal. Similarly, learning new skills should be driven by personal growth and fulfillment, not external validation.
Fear of failure is often linked to perfectionism. If you believe your project will never be good enough, remember that nothing is ever truly perfect. Focus on completing the immediate task before you. Work step-by-step until you finish your article’s first draft,your app’s initial version,or your family photo presentation’s first iteration. Then begin revisions or refinements. One step at a time.
Knowing When to Let Go
Sometimes projects linger because they shouldn’t be completed. As projects become complex and time-consuming,life inevitably moves on. New opportunities emerge, competing for your attention. Priorities shift. Naturally, some initially promising projects get delayed, and some never reach completion. Yet, due to the Zeigarnik effect, they continue to nag at you, creating psychological pressure.
Learn to let go. Your time is limited. Is every incomplete project truly the best use of your time? If circumstances have changed,your initial motivation has evaporated,or you simply have better things to do,accept that you’re abandoning the project and remove it from your mental list. Remember that accepting one task always means declining others. Making the reason explicit to yourself can be helpful. This isn’t a passive failure; it’s an active, positive decision: “I decided this project wasn’t worth my time and focused on more significant things.”
Above all, be kind to yourself. Your time is valuable. you have no obligation to continue projects that have lost relevance or interest. But for those that matter, don’t let them overwhelm you. Break the work into smaller tasks, and give yourself permission to call something done, even if it’s imperfect.
