Stop Worrying About Unfinished Tasks
Let it go, you busy bee
We all have a mental list of things we need to do, and we’re constantly thinking about them.
I recall from my college years that not a single day went by without me feeling stressed.
Going home for a family party? Great, I have a midterm on Monday.
Favorite artist is playing at a festival? Finals are next week!
I forgot how to relax, to let go. I was constantly worried about finances, my job, and passing classes.
I couldn’t stop remembering what “needed” to be done. How am I supposed to enjoy life if my restless mind is in another place?
Having a massive metal to-do list is only one of many unhelpful behaviors I took with me into adulthood (and definitely biting me in the ass now).
Why the mind cares about unfinished tasks
I was beyond stressed out weeks ago talking to my manager.
I had a report to finish, two presentations to prep for, and at least 5 different people asking me for a status update on things I had not finished.
“You have to learn how not to feel overwhelmed,” they said.
Easier said than done…but I get it.
They sent me a Harvard Business article about the Zeigarnik effect — a phenomenon where humans tend to think about incomplete tasks (intentional or not).
In others words, we have the psychological need to complete things.
This can be helpful when you’re working so you can stay focused. For multitaskers, the Zeigarnik effect can be a saving grace when juggling several tasks.
But when excessive worrying becomes a barrier to enjoying the moment during your “off” hours? Not okay.
Unfinished tasks can lead to feelings of anxiety and stress
For some, unfinished tasks can leave you feeling stressed.
They interfere with your ability to relax, rest, and enjoy yourself during free time.
For example:
- If your schedule gets busy, you may feel less inclined to go out and have fun because your massive to-do list keeps growing.
- If you’re out longer than expected, you may feel guilty about unfinished chores or tasks waiting for you at home.
- If you have something important coming up (e.g. presentation), you may naturally bring it up several times due to worry.
One day, my friend commented it didn’t matter what time of the year it was — I always claim to be busy with a heavy schedule.
Their concern was valid.
Why are unfinished tasks on my to-do list controlling my life this way?
Is it possible to stop worrying about your to-do list?
There is no easy way to overcome the Zeigarnik effect when it quite literally is a natural human tendency (at least prevalent in the fast-paced culture I live in).
Recently, I admitted to my manager I had been struggling to be productive because I wasn’t able to prioritize and complete my never ending to-do list.
“You need to sign off knowing there are unfinished tasks.”
Once again, easier said than done. But, my current approach of wanting to do the impossible was not working either…
To overcome the Zeigarnik effect, I’ve adopted a few crucial mindset shifts.
1. Avoid massive to-do lists
I used to start my day off by writing out every task that needs to get done.
Don’t do that. There’s no need to start the day off with a fresh cup of anxiety.
Instead, pick 3–5 tasks you’d like to accomplish. Some find the 1–3–5 rule to be helpful, but I prefer making it simple for myself.
Understand there is a limited time in each day. Set yourself up for success by creating manageable, prioritized to-do lists.
2. Prioritize more, do less
Built a smarter to-do list. Set your priorities straight.
I recommend first using an Eisenhower matrix to practice thinking about prioritization in terms of urgency and importance.
There are four task outcomes: do, plan, delegate, and eliminate.
It’s an effective way of organizing your to-do list. However, it does not consider effort and impact.
Are you a perfectionist by chance? Realize tasks are delegatable.
Once priorities are set, there won’t be a need to worry about what’s left to do. This can help alleviate the stress of the “unfinished.”
What if you still end up struggling with multiple conflicting priorities? It’s time to ask for help (you probably need it). This is important if you’re not used to delegating.
3. Track your time
If you’re worried about others’ perceptions of you, tracking your time is a good way of building productivity insurance.
A colleague shared they started logging hours to have concrete evidence that some low-impact tasks took longer than others. They were working 60+ hour weeks.
Your case may not be as extreme, but it’s valuable to know how long it takes for you to complete something.
Set better expectations and even offload or eliminate time-wasting tasks.
Let’s say you have 3 hours of meetings. A list as simple as this can help you plan your 8-hr day:
- Reply to emails (30 min)
- Prepare for meetings (30 min)
- Meeting time (3 hrs)
- Lunch (30 min)
Now you know for sure you have about ~3.5 hours of free work time to do something else.
4. Accept the unknown
Acceptance is a hard skill to master. But, it brings us the most joy.
Our feelings are valid. Yet, they may not be the most productive emotions.
If you feel guilty about unfinished tasks, accept that you’ve done all you can in your situation.
If you feel ashamed of having fun, accept that you deserve to enjoy yourself in the now.
These feelings stem from fear of failure. Trust you will get the job done when you’re capable of doing so.
If you fail? Accept that this is a possibility. Give yourself room to fail and get back up.
Worrying about unfinished tasks is unproductive
The verdict is there is no point in worrying about unfinished tasks to the point where it hinders your everyday life or controls your decisions.
Learning how to prioritize and let go of what isn’t important is the first skill you need to start approaching your to-do list differently.
Some find success by simply cutting down to make their goals more achievable. You may even discover you’re wasting time by not delegating or eliminating something off your list.
Know the Zeigarnik effect is in play, but it doesn’t have to dictate your life quality.
