Why is it so easy to delay starting a new project, put off replying to an important email, or avoid making that big life decision for “just one more day”? Most of the time, we already know what needs to be done—but knowing and doing are two different things. That gap between intention and action is where procrastination thrives. And yet, a powerful psychological principle, known as the Zeigarnik Effect, offers a surprising way to bridge that gap.
Discovered by Russian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik in the 1920s, the Zeigarnik Effect emerged from a simple observation in a Vienna restaurant. Zeigarnik noticed that waiters were remarkably good at remembering orders that were still in progress, but once the bill was paid, those same details disappeared from memory. Curious, she conducted experiments in which people completed simple tasks like solving puzzles or stringing beads. Some tasks were interrupted halfway, and later, participants were asked to recall what they had done. The results were striking: people were significantly more likely to remember the unfinished tasks than the completed ones.
Her conclusion was clear—unfinished tasks create a kind of mental tension. Our minds don’t like open loops. When something is left incomplete, it lingers in our thoughts, nudging us toward closure. This tension doesn’t just affect what we remember—it also has the power to fuel motivation.
Think about how a cliffhanger at the end of a TV show episode makes you want to watch the next one immediately. That’s the Zeigarnik Effect at play. The unresolved story sticks with you. The same principle applies to everyday life. Whether it’s writing a report, saving money, studying for an exam, planning a trip, or organizing your home, the hardest part is usually getting started. But once you begin, your brain naturally wants to see the task through.
This insight can change how we approach almost anything. Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, full clarity, or flawless planning, just begin. Start writing the first paragraph. Sketch the idea. Draft the email. Lay out the tools. Open the investment account. Whatever it is, doing even a small part sets a process in motion—one that your brain won’t easily let you abandon.
That’s what makes the Zeigarnik Effect such an effective antidote to procrastination. You don’t have to rely entirely on willpower to follow through. Once a task is started, your mind starts working in the background, gently pushing you toward completion. It becomes harder to ignore, easier to revisit, and more likely to get done.
Sometimes people think they need to be fully prepared before acting. But the truth is, starting is often what creates the clarity and motivation we thought we needed beforehand. And ironically, once you start, it becomes harder not to finish. That first step doesn’t have to be big—it just has to be real.
So, whatever you’re putting off—whether it’s a personal project, a professional goal, a business idea, an investment, or a creative endeavor—consider this your cue to begin. Write the first line. Make the first call. Open the document. Your mind will do the rest.
Start, and let the Zeigarnik Effect pull you forward.
Unlock your true potential 