The phenomenon shows that people are psychologically wired to remember unfinished tasks more than completed ones. This was shown in a study where restaurant employees remembered unpaid bills with large capacity but quickly forgot paid ones. Potential connection to minimalism? We own things which remind us of what remains undone, whether it’s stacks of TBR books or supplies for a neglected hobby.
How to use to one’s advantage:
- Leave task slightly unfinished, let it incubate
- e.g. writing: leaving it mid sentence