Zeigarnik Effect in Life (Z)

END of the A-Z Series

This piece is slightly longer and far more self-reflective and confessional - given it is my last blog post on the A-Z series. Cannot believe we are at “Z” 😊

Let me give you a glimpse into the chaotic carnival of my weekday mornings. I try to transform the mundane into a high-stakes game of "Beat the Clock" meets "Cirque du Soleil." I aim to be the ringmaster of my circus, orchestrating a symphony of tasks like a juggler. My routine? It's not so routine. It's an adrenaline-pumped speed run through a maze of morning chores that would leave even a multitasking octopus in awe.

The show kicks off the moment I leap out of bed and dash into the kitchen, where the air buzzes with the sounds of my favorite podcast episode (latest AI developments). In one corner, my turtle (Charlotte) awaits her breakfast of frozen blood worms, a delicacy served with the precision of an almost-to-be Michelin-star chef. Meanwhile, my dog (Joey) stares in anticipation as I masterfully blend his wet and dry dog meal; simultaneously, my espresso machine whirs in the background, frothing milk for a coffee that promises to be anything but ordinary.

But wait, there's more! Amidst the culinary chaos, I'm also putting together my 10-year-old's shoes, socks, and school dress, prepping a lunchbox that packs nutrition and love in equal measure, and doing the tech packing (her school laptop and phone), ensuring my daughter's day is powered up. Oh, and let's not forget the green thumb moment—watering the plants -while sipping my coffee as she eats breakfast cereal on the dining table.

All this, my friends, is performed in a breathtaking 8-minute act (I want to beat this record in the coming future), where I'm simultaneously pouring, mixing, frothing, and packing with the agility of a seasoned acrobat. This isn't just multitasking; it's a morning ritual turned into an exhilarating competition against myself, a testament to the Zeigarnik effect in full swing—as I juggle 8-9 tasks in various stages of completion, seamlessly switching gears to bring it all home before the clock ticks down. This is my wild world, where every morning is a thrilling ride in the quest for the ultimate efficiency.

The Zeigarnik Effect: My Life's Unfinished Symphony

In the sitcom that is my life, I've always felt like the main character who's a tad too animated for the calm, collected supporting cast around me. Like a caffeinated squirrel, my zest for life has led me into a labyrinth of projects and ideas, with an impressive trail of "to-be-continueds" fluttering in my wake. My tale isn't one for the history books. Still, it's mine—a narrative of living on the edge of hyperactivity, chronic multi-tasking, and possibly tiptoeing around undiagnosed ADHD while somehow funneling this chaotic energy into all my relationships and my profession as a university professor.

My curiosity is sometimes so vast it could rival a cat's nine lives. And my energy levels could make the Energizer Bunny look like a slacker. I usually start my day armed with a massive to-do list, only to be sidetracked by approximately a gazillion more enthralling ventures before lunch (which I skip out of excitement). This boundless enthusiasm for everything has been my rocket fuel and my Achilles' heel, propelling me to dive headfirst into myriad endeavors, often biting off more than I could chew.

Navigating between hyperactivity and multitasking has been like trying to ride a unicycle on a tightrope. On one hand, my high energy and enthusiasm have allowed me to juggle various projects with the grace of a circus performer. People often ask me, "Where do you get the energy to do all this?". My weekly blog, in this circus, is the spotlight act where I can leap from topic to topic, sharing my musings and connecting with fellow idea junkies.

Yet, for all its perks, this hyperactivity comes with its comedy of errors. My fervor often means that projects are left in a perpetual state of "almost done," not due to a lack of passion but because something shinier caught my eye. The thrill of the new often overshadows the gratification of crossing the finish line.

My love for impulsivity is a source of my creativity- but it also means my work is occasionally dotted with bloopers and a glaring disregard for the finer details. Formatting, proofreading, and the nuanced art of blog aesthetics often get bulldozed in my rush to embrace the next big idea.

Despite the chaos, my journey has been a masterclass in self-discovery and adaptation. I've befriended gadgets, gizmos, and AI aplenty, all in the name of corralling my whirlwind of thoughts and to-dos. Structured routines are something I hate – but research says it is good for people like me (I do not buy it - we need to do more research on people like me ;)).

I may not like structure, but I like taking short breaks to walk my dog, wet-wiping the house floors, and doing dishes and laundry (while working remotely). These breaks help me tremendously to battle the fog of idea wars in my mind.

This is my last blog post in the A-Z series. I could not find a better topic than talking about the "Ziergarnik Effect,"- a psychological phenomenon that describes the tendency to remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed tasks.

In writing this blog, I spent hours diving into research papers on working memory, cognitive functions, hyperactivity, anxiety, and multitasking. It was like looking in a mirror, reflecting the dance of strengths and stumbles unique to my brain's wiring.

This whole process of writing the blog posts has been a way to calm my mind. This blog has been a platform for idea-sharing. But, more importantly, it has been self-reflective journaling – where I chronicle my high-speed chase through life's ups and downs. Through my scribbles, I've learned to hug my quirks tight, celebrate my victories, however small, and always keep hunting for new ways to channel my inner whirlwind.

In sharing my saga, I'm waving to you from my corner of the energy vortex, hoping to find kindred spirits. Whether you're officially on the hyperactive spectrum or resonate with the symphony of multitasking chaos I call life, know there's a tribe of us out there. We are relatively "high-functioning" and ceaselessly curious, impulsive, enthusiastic souls sailing the wild seas of our unique minds together.

Now, let us discuss the Ziergarnik Effect!

Unfinished Business: A Dive into the Zeigarnik Effect

"Zeigarnik effect"- sounds like something straight out of a spy novel, doesn't it?

In a bustling Vienna café in the roaring 1920s, there was this Soviet psychologist, Bluma Zeigarnik, observing servers with the precision of a hawk. She noticed something peculiar – these waiters have a memory like an elephant for orders that are still being cooked but seem to hit the delete button on those details the minute the dish is served. She studied this phenomenon of the brain's clingy relationship with unfinished business and called it the "Zeigarnik Effect."

Zeigarnik Effect is an evolved mind-friend who keeps you sharp, reminding you of all the tasks that are half done, hanging, and still in the works. We have all met this friend before – like a story left mid-sentence or when we are binge-watching our favorite show. Have you ever noticed how your shows end the episode just when the big reveal is about to happen? Annoying, right? But, oh, so effective in keeping you hooked.

Unfinished tasks nag at us, creating a mental itch we're desperate to scratch. This isn't just a quirky trick of the mind – it is our evolved brain's way of motivating us - calling us into action, pushing us to wrap up what we started to ease that mental tension. The psychological nudge helps us tackle procrastination, turning the "I'll do it later" into "Let's do this now."

Here's a quirky twist – have you ever noticed that once you finish a task, it's like swiping it off your mental checklist with a giant eraser? Poof! Gone from your memory faster than you can say, "What was I worried about again?" That's the Zeigarnik Effect in reverse, making sure you're more likely to remember the season finale cliffhanger than the episodes where all the plotlines got neatly tied up.

What scholars think about this effect.

Not all studies agree on this mind trick. Like any good mystery, the Zeigarnik effect has its skeptics. Some say the effect depends on how meaningful or exciting the task is- while others say it is a personal quirk. Critics argue this effect is like a chameleon, changing colors based on the situation. There is no consensus whether this effect is about memory, motivation, or maybe a bit of both. The debate is still on, with evidence being collected as we speak.

Ziergarnik Effect, Working Memory & Multitasking

Science says that the Ziergarnik effect is closely related to working memory. Think of working memory as the tray on which you might serve drinks at your dinner party. Each task you're mentally juggling is a drink on that tray, and the more you add, the more likely you are to spill something. The "cognitive load theory" says there is only so much brainpower/tray space to go around, so there will be a spill at some point. So how on earth are some people able to multitask like a seasoned juggler while others struggle with two tasks in hand?

Suppose you watched me doing my morning routine. In that case, you might think my attention span is more of a butterfly than a bee, fluttering from one task to the next without landing too long. I find a way to slot tasks into every conceivable nook and cranny of my schedule. I've got lists of my lists, and they're color-coded. My brain often feels like a browser with many open tabs- where I am motivated and excited about orchestrating my task-switching and fine-tuning my strategies for a more harmonious performance and less cacophony.

Research shows that individuals differ on "Trait Polychronicity" –your inclination and preference for juggling multiple tasks and thriving in the process. I know I am high on polychronicity and love the idea of juggling. I may be utterly distressed if you forced me to stick to one task for hours. While other monochronics (the one-task-at-a-time folks) may feel like they are drowning in a sea of open tabs, I feel like I am surfing the waves of productivity when I am pushed into a flux of changing priorities, thanks to my deep-seated polychronic inclinations.

The pleasure I get from this mental gymnastics of pivoting strategies or tackling unforeseen challenges- may not be a pleasure for everyone. My advice is to know whether you love being the innovative problem-solver who views every curveball as a new opportunity to juggle—literally and figuratively OR you prefer things one at a time. Take a step back and own your preference- and appreciate the complex melody of your mind.

I own my polychronicity, and I am no longer apologetic for it. My husband still tries to wrap his head around how this mental gymnastic does not tire me out!! It does not tire me out – but this excessive need to multitask does have its risks.

The Perilous Pitfalls of Multitasking Marvel

###Efficiency over Quality: In my quest to do everything, I've learned that quality can sometimes (not always) get traded off for efficiency. Sometimes, multitasking on super high-level and complex tasks can take a nosedive into a pool of mediocrity. I once accidentally sent my boss an email composed for my husband 😉. Thankfully, my boss has a sense of humor!

###The Oops! Symphony: Although my morning ritual is very well planned, I have once poured my freshly brewed cappuccino into the cereal bowl for my daughter. I was significantly sleep-deprived that morning. These oopsies are not me being chronically clumsy, but they are a bug of my multitasking lifestyle.

So, there you have it—the thrilling, chilling, and occasionally spilling saga of my life as a multitasker. It's not just about whether multitasking is good or bad; it's about knowing when to juggle and when to take a bow. After all, even a circus star knows the show must go on—maybe with a few less flaming torches next time.

Ziergarnik Effect, Anxiety, and Dreams

Anxiety, the Zeigarnik effect, and dreams are all related. Imagine anxiety as that overly enthusiastic coach who doesn't know when to quit, constantly reminding you of all the balls you're juggling and things you need to plan for and complete.

If you are a generally anxious person (like me) and are lying there trying to catch some sleep, your brain might decide, like mine often does, that this is the perfect time to remind you of that email you forgot to send. Suddenly, it's not just a forgotten email; it's a Broadway-level drama titled "The Catastrophic Consequences of Unsent Correspondence."

This combo of the Zeigarnik effect and anxiety is like turning the spotlight on all those unfinished tasks, making them appear larger than life, monsters lurking in the shadows, whispering sweet nothings about impending doom. It's a paradoxical playground where these tasks are not just remembered but are infused with an emotional charge that's hard to shake off.

Freud thought our dreams were like a fancy masquerade ball for our deepest, darkest wishes and all our anxieties about the future. So, it will not be surprising that our dreams play out the Ziergarnik effect in bringing up unresolved issues and tasks. When we are asleep, our higher executive functions, which we use to assert conscious and deliberate control over our thoughts, are in "sleep mode" and the high-security vault where all our "unresolved issues," "anxieties," and "too-hot-for-waking-life" desires are given free rein.

Freud said that this processing of issues through dreams is an adaptive form of coping where the brain plays out the dreadful consequence and desired achievements on our mental stage – it is like your brain is putting you on a Broadway show where you're the star, the audience, and the critic, all at once. The storyline? It's all the stuff you've been avoiding or stressing over, playing out in symbolic Technicolor.

I dream every night and remember my dreams most mornings – as long as no one speaks to me in the first 30 seconds of waking up. I have been amazed for years about how much I can process through those dreams.

I have dreamt about failed job interviews, walked into class with just my shoes on, missed many trains and buses, cheated or caught others cheating, fought and made up with family and friends, and the list goes on.

Through all these dreams, I have realized a thing or two about what emotions and thoughts I have been repressing and ignoring in my waking life. They have pushed me to look deeper and confront some of those issues.

Alright, I am confessing more than I thought I would. What I am trying to say is that anxiety, unfinished task focus, and dreams are tools you have to reflect on your desires and fears. They allow you to confront those nagging issues and secret desires in a space where the stakes are low, but the emotional payoff can be huge. So next time you're presenting in your socks or showing up to an exam you didn't study for in your dreams, remember it's just your inner Freud directing you to take the time to focus on those unfinished tasks deep in your unconscious mind.

SOLUTIONS

So, what's a mere mortal to do when caught in this whirlwind of unfinished tasks, multi-tasking, working memory overload, anxiety, and dreams?

Developing coping strategies becomes as essential as a life raft on the Titanic.

Here are some evidence-based things you can do that have also worked for me:

###Jot it down: Before I go to bed, I write down every unfinished task and put a priority rank order to that list. It lets my brain know that I have got this – I know what I will do in the morning, and it is like a psychological contract I have signed with that piece of paper. When I write this list down, I also remind myself to make peace that my "to-do lists" will never truly be done, and that's okay. It's the unfinished symphonies that make life enjoyable, after all.

###Find your calming friend: I have also started to listen to relaxing music and practice some mindfulness (even if it is for 3 minutes) before I pick up a book to read that is so engaging that the unfinished story in the book occupies my chaotic mind, pushing that to-do list down the priority ladder.

###Shift that mindset: In addition, try to change your perspective on the Ziergarnik effect and start to see it as a secret weapon. If all our brains are wired to focus on unfinished tasks, why not use it to our advantage? When you need help with a problem- take a break- go for a short walk. Your brain will most likely gnaw on the problem like a dog with a bone, and the "aha!" moment might strike when you least expect it. This is NOT procrastination; it is what creativity researchers call "Incubation."

So, the next time you find yourself lying awake, your mind doing somersaults over everything you didn't get to finish, remember: You're not alone. The Zeigarnik Effect is a universal party crasher. Unfinished business is just another way of saying the story shall continue and that we must embrace every incomplete, every half-baked plan and every "I'll get to it tomorrow." Because, at the end of the day, those "not yet" moments make our lives rich. So, here's to the to-do lists with no end, the projects still in the draft phase, and the dreams we're still sketching out. Without these loose threads, life would be a tad too tidy, predictable, and boring.

Know that with a bit of strategy, a change in mindset, and a lot of humor, we can learn to dance to the “Ziergarnik Effect” tune – or at least not step on our own feet too much.