--- title: Maybe this is why You Feel Overwhelmed - Zeigarnik Effect description: Learn about the Zeigarnik Effect and how incomplete tasks can lead to feeling overwhelmed. 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[Human + AI Playbook Template](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/human-ai-playbook) - [NotebookLM Masterclass](https://maven.com/thoughts-brewing-llc/learn-notebooklm-in-a-weekend-2-cohort) - [Fractional COO/CTO Services](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/fractional-coo/cto-services) - [Contact](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/contact) What are you looking for? # Maybe this is why You Feel Overwhelmed - Zeigarnik Effect March 5, 2023 ![Picture of Damien Griffin](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/20cb51297a34e5d5d7c3362ec1fae755) [Damien Griffin](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/damien) ![](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hubfs/Canva%20images/Canva%20Design%20DAGGRfJ1TlU.png) Incomplete tasks cause cognitive tension that persists until you complete them.  This is called the Zeigarnik Effect - named after psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik.   #### Maybe this is a good thing: - Better recall of information before an exam - Immersive experiences with a good book or video game because they create a sense of unfinished business - More motivation to achieve goals #### Maybe this is a bad thing: - Too many “open” tasks can create more cognitive tension - May lead to ignoring more important tasks - Some obsess over completing tasks and neglect health, relationships, etc.   Now that you know it exists.  You choose. ### Share: [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/maybe-this-is-why-you-feel-overwhelmed-zeigarnik-effect&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [Share on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/maybe-this-is-why-you-feel-overwhelmed-zeigarnik-effect&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/maybe-this-is-why-you-feel-overwhelmed-zeigarnik-effect&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/maybe-this-is-why-you-feel-overwhelmed-zeigarnik-effect&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Maybe%20this%20is%20why%20You%20Feel%20Overwhelmed%20-%20Zeigarnik%20Effect) [Soft Skills](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/soft-skills), [Psychology](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/psychology), [Human Skills](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/tag/human-skills) ## Comments ## Related posts ##### Menu - 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Understand the pros and cons of this psychological phenomenon and how it can impact your daily life.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Damien Griffin" }, "dateModified" : "20 Jun 2024, 23:03", "datePublished" : "2023-03-05 00:02:00", "headline" : "Maybe this is why You Feel Overwhelmed - Zeigarnik Effect", "image" : "https://24461783.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24461783/Canva%20images/Canva%20Design%20DAGGRfJ1TlU.png", "inLanguage" : "en", "keywords" : "[Soft Skills, Psychology, Human Skills]", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@type" : "WebPage" }, "name" : "Maybe this is why You Feel Overwhelmed - Zeigarnik Effect", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://24461783.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24461783/Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png" }, "name" : "Thoughts Brewing, LLC" }, "text" : "Incomplete tasks cause cognitive tension that persists until you complete them. This is called the Zeigarnik Effect - named after psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik. Maybe this is a good thing: Better recall of information before an exam Immersive experiences with a good book or video game because they create a sense of unfinished business More motivation to achieve goals Maybe this is a bad thing: Too many “open” tasks can create more cognitive tension May lead to ignoring more important tasks Some obsess over completing tasks and neglect health, relationships, etc. Now that you know it exists. You choose.", "url" : "https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/maybe-this-is-why-you-feel-overwhelmed-zeigarnik-effect" } ```