How Open Loops Damage Your Productivity?

How Open Loops Damage Your Productivity

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by a never-ending list of tasks, only to end your day wondering where the time went? You’re not alone. Most of us spend our days jumping from one task to another, often leaving things unfinished, and unknowingly creating what I call “open loops.” These open loops clutter our minds, sap our energy, and damage our productivity.

What Are Open Loops?

An open loop is any task, thought, or responsibility that has been started but not completed. It's the nagging reminder in your brain that something still needs to be done. Whether it’s that report you haven’t finished, the email you’ve been meaning to respond to, or the conversation you left hanging with a friend—it’s all an open loop in your mind.

Open loops can show up in different ways. For instance, I’ve chosen not to watch web series, and here’s why: most TV shows are designed to end episodes with a cliffhanger. It’s intentional. The story leaves you with an open loop, creating a psychological need to close it by watching the next episode. This is how powerful open loops are. They pull your attention, steal your focus, and leave you feeling unsettled until they’re closed.

Now, consider your daily life. You’re driving on the motorway, and someone overtakes you aggressively—an open loop. You start thinking about why they did it, how you should have reacted, or whether you’ll encounter them again. Another open loop is created when you check your emails and realise you need to respond later. The list of errands you have for the day is yet another open loop. Without even realising it, we’re constantly opening mental loops, and that drains our productivity.

The Science of Open Loops: Why They Hijack Your Focus

Think of your brain as a computer. When you have multiple programmes running in the background, even if you're not actively using them, they consume resources and slow everything down. Open loops function similarly—they use mental energy, reduce focus, and scatter your thoughts.

This phenomenon is linked to the Zeigarnik Effect, a concept in psychology that suggests our brains remember incomplete tasks more than completed ones. Your mind doesn’t like unresolved situations. When a task is left open, your brain will keep reminding you of it until it’s finished, whether you want it to or not. This consumes valuable cognitive resources and leaves you feeling drained and distracted.

Imagine trying to complete a challenging task like writing a report. But at the same time, your brain is trying to remember to send an email, follow up on a project, check in with a colleague, and pick up groceries after work. Each of these is an open loop competing for attention, and your ability to focus on the report weakens. The more open loops you have, the harder it becomes to maintain focus and achieve deep, meaningful work.

How to Close Open Loops and Reclaim Your Productivity

The good news is you can close these loops and bring clarity back into your day. Here are some ways to do it:

1. Write It Down One of the simplest ways to close an open loop is to capture it. Write down your tasks, thoughts, or concerns. By doing so, you release your brain from the burden of having to remember. This is why to-do lists are so effective—they transform the intangible (thoughts) into something concrete (written tasks).
2. Set Clear Priorities Not all open loops deserve your attention right away. Learn to prioritise. Decide which tasks are most important, and focus on completing those first. By closing the biggest loops, you’ll regain a sense of accomplishment and reduce the mental load.
3. Use Time Blocks Set specific times during your day for handling certain tasks. When you have a designated time to close a loop, your brain feels more at ease, knowing that it will be addressed. This reduces the mental chatter and allows you to focus on your current task.
4. Practice the Two-Minute Rule If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it right away. This prevents small loops from accumulating and creating unnecessary clutter in your mind.
5. Unplug Regularly We live in an age where notifications, emails, and distractions constantly open loops in our minds. By disconnecting from technology for short periods, you reduce the number of new loops forming and give yourself space to focus on what’s truly important.
6. Mindfulness and Reflection Practising mindfulness can help you become more aware of the loops that dominate your mind. By recognising when your thoughts wander, you can bring your focus back to the present and intentionally close those loops. Reflecting at the end of the day can also help you identify unresolved tasks so you can tackle them the next day.

Open loops are sneaky. They creep into our minds and quietly sabotage our productivity. Whether it’s an unfinished task at work or a cliffhanger on a TV show, these unresolved issues drain our focus and mental energy. But by taking small, intentional steps to close those loops, you can reclaim control over your time and mind, and ultimately boost your productivity.

At AMHWAL Academy, we specialise in helping your team develop essential human skills such as leadership, emotional intelligence, effective communication in difficult conversations, mental health awareness, building mental resilience, and fostering a positive mindset. For a tailored approach to your organisation's people development, reach out to us at [email protected]. Let's start a conversation about how we can support your team’s growth and well-being.

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